non-destructive edits in photoshop

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Don’t ruin your originals by editing them without taking a few steps to make everything reversible. That is the idea behind “non-destructive edits.”

Here are a few shots that I edited and can go back and keep editing if I needed to because they are completely non-destructive…

Adjustment layer

Before…

brettjenkins_kayaks-original

After…

brettjenkins_kayaks

Kayaks

I added an adjustment layer and darkened the whole picture. I then used the brush tool to go back and show the original exposure of the kayaks themselves so that there was some good contrast on them. This way the leaves in the back are not so much of a focus, but the kayaks colors are not diminished.

Smart filter

Before…

brettjenkins_skateboarding-original

After…

brettjenkins_skateboarding_smartfilter

Skateboarding

First thing to do it crop out what you are not going to be using. This will save a little time in processing. I added a really cool stroke as a smart filter. The smart filter will allow me to totally take the effect away if I wanted to go back to the original photo. I needed to convert the photo into a smart object first and then I could go ahead and add in these cool filters. This one makes it look more like it is painted, and really adds a grunge look fitting of the subject.

Dodge and burn

Before…

brettjenkins_macbookpro-original

After…

brettjenkins_madbook_dodgeandburn

Macbook Pro

I used a macro lens to get really strong bokeh on this shot. I have the very edge of the computer in focus and by the time you get to the second row of keys they are already out of focus. To add to the effect I added a gray layer on top of the original image and then used the dodge tool to lighten the edge of the computer and the keys. I used the burn tool to darken the table to take it out of focus and even burned the far part of the computer where the tract-pad is to really make the closest part of the computer in focus.

Before…

brettjenkins_waterfall-original

After…

brettjenkins_waterfall_dodgeandburn

Waterfall

My favorite part of my trip to Provo Canyon was seeing this great waterfall and having a Canon Rebel T3i to catch the shot. I again added a gray layer and used the dodge and burn tools to make the actual waterfall really pop out. I dodged everywhere there was water. From the top of the falls to the stream that is flowing right at me. To make the water the focus I burned the rocks and plants on either side of the waterfall and stream. This really makes the colors of the waterfall pop out and seem almost fake. I love it!

1 Comment

  1. I really like your waterfall photo! Your edits really brought out the water and I love the foreground. It provides a really great leading line to thee waterfall. Great work!

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