Processing Help

So I am reading this tutorial on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com …/22044766@N08/2​633216334/

I don't understand the first direction.

1. Contrast layer: Curves layer to adjust color (use black eyedropper to click on black on image, use white to click on white in image, if looks strange hold down alt key and press reset and start over) and then adjust contrast with minor S curve.

How does one go about creating a contrast layer? Do I just duplicate the background and then ONLY adjust contrast as described above?

Thanks! Yes I am a noob. We'll get that out of the way first.

Create a duplicate layer of the background. Then do your adjustments on the new layer.

Thanks Dan

No problemo. Most adjustments involve duplicating the background layer to start...by doing your adjustments on the layer instead of the original, you have a bit of a safety net.

How do I know what order to stack the layers in?

dang, "Mr. Monkey Pants", you have well over 5,000 posts ! In regards to being a noob,
I haven't even left the sink yet(avatar)

Hang on, I think that refers to a Curves adjustment layer, not a duplicated background layer. It's a bit of a pain in the neck when you start having duplicate layers floating around.

You can do a curves adjustment layer too....I just like working with a duplicate layer and adjusting the opacity....

Well, I don't habitually use adjustment layers either, but they are accepted best practice, so I don't think we should be advising otherwise.

Theague, please use a curves adjustment layer.

so what is a curves adjustment layer? lol

OK I found the curves adjustment layer.. lol

In the layer palette you should see the option to create an adjustment layer...and one of the options on the menu will be curves.

theague wrote in post #6735356
So I am reading this tutorial on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com …/22044766@N08/2​633216334/

I don't understand the first direction.

1. Contrast layer: Curves layer to adjust color (use black eyedropper to click on black on image, use white to click on white in image, if looks strange hold down alt key and press reset and start over) and then adjust contrast with minor S curve.

How does one go about creating a contrast layer? Do I just duplicate the background and then ONLY adjust contrast as described above?

No, you don't have to duplicate the image. Just open a curves adjustment layer. Like this, inside the Layers panel:

I'm on step 4 now... I didn't understand step 3 either but since I am not working on anything with humans in it I ignored it.

Not following this one now either. lol

4. Hue/Saturation layer: Add saturation (40 - 50% or to taste), put layer in color, then fill mask with black. Use a lower opacity white brush and paint in background and anything you want really colorful. I like painting back in the eyes and sometimes even the lips. You can also adjust the opacity of this layer if needed.

What does she mean, "put layer in color" ??

theague wrote in post #6735589
I'm on step 4 now... I didn't understand step 3 either but since I am not working on anything with humans in it I ignored it.

I think it's a lame tutorial. A lot of that advice I would definitely not follow. Hunt around. There are lots of better tutorials.

Hey Kody I'm in Kenmore, if you like you could come over some time and we could go through the tutorial; I could probally show you some better ways to do that adjustment and others as well. I'm in full PS learning mode now (been there for a while) and some new images to work with would be refreshing.