Photoshop
Local Correction Using Selection

This lesson can be done in Photoshop Elements 3.0 or 4.0. It can also be done in Photoshop CS or CS2. Where the menu options are different there will be given two sets of options. PSE will refer to Elements 3 or 4. PSCS will refer to either Photoshop CS or CS2. Also Shortcut will refer to keyboard shortcuts that can be used.

Getting Started

  • Open the file “ColoradoMountains.jpg”
  • Make sure the Undo History window (PSE) or the History Window(PSCS) is visible.
Selection Using the Magic Wand
  • On the tool bar select the magic wand (seventh tool down)
  • On the selection bar (third row from the bottom) on the right hand side are four buttons -- “new selection”, “add to selection”, “subtract from selection”, and “intersect with selection”.  Choose “add to selection”.
  • On the selection bar set the tolerance level.  10 is a good level to start with.
  • Check the “contiguous” box.
  • Click on the sky portion.  This selects everything with the same color within the chosen tolerance level. 
  • The area selected is surrounded by “crawling ants”. 
  • Continue to click on non-selected areas of the sky until the entire sky has been selected.

Correct the Selected Area - Standard

  • Bring up the Levels dialogue box:
    • PSE: Click on “Enhance” – “Adjust Lighting” – “Levels”
    • PSCSL Click on "Image" -- "Adjustments" -- "Levels"
    • Shortcut: "Ctrl-L"
  • Adjust the levels until the sky is as you would like it.  Your adjustments will only act on the selected portion (the sky.)

Note – anything you do at this point will act only on the selected area.  You might also like to adjust the hue and saturation on the sky.  You can do any correction you like, but remember it will only act on the selected area.

  • Click on “Select – Deselect” to remove the selection.  There will be no more “crawling ants” and there will be no portion of the image selected. If you forget to deselect then future modifications will still work only on the selected area.

Correct the Selected Area - Adjustment Layers

Note: This section will repeat the effect of the previous section. The difference is that we will be using adjustment layers instead of the standard correction techniques. This will give us more flexability to make detailed adjustments.
  • Create a Levels Adjustment Layer with the command "Layer" -- "New Adjustment Layer" -- "Levels"
  • In the Layers window notice there are two icons. The one on the right is white where the image was selected and black in the unselected areas. The black portion serves as a mask and allows the adjustment layer to act only in the white area. You probably noticed that the selection indicator (the "crawling ants") have disapeared.
  • Adjust the levels within the Levels Adjustment Layer as needed. It will act only on the sky portion.
  • When you created the adjustment layer the selection disapeared. You can get it back with the command "Select" -- "reselect".
  • Create a Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer with the command "Layer" -- "New Adjustment Layer" -- "Hue/Saturation"
  • Adjust the hue and saturation as needed.

Selection Using the Polygonal Lasso Tool

  • Enlarge the picture until the house almost fills the screen.
  • In the tool box choose the Lasso Tool, (six down)
  • Right click on the Lasso Tool then select the Polygonal Lasso Tool.
  • On the house click on a point at the edge of the house. 
  • Click around the house, completing a “circle” around the house. 
  • When you complete the path around the house the crawling ants will appear.

Make Correction on the Selected Area

  • Correct the color and contrast of the house using either the standard method or the adjustment layer method.
  • Remove the selection ( Select – Deselect ) if you used the standard method.
  • Now use the magic wand tool and select the green trees.
  • Use levels to lighten the trees.