(no, I am not going crazy)

If you look at your monitor you'll have a button or some knobs to do Brightness /Contrast adjusts.
If you look at your TV, you'll have a button or knobs .......
... so Brightness / Contrast would seem to be quite a fundamental image adjustment.

Then you come to Photoshop, and you discover that what ought to be the most useful adjustment of all is actually a quick way to ruin a good photo!

Here's a way to tame the B/C adjustment and actually turn it into something useful:
1) Use the Blend-if option, underlying layer, 0-127 (black) and 128-255 (white);
2) Set the layer blending to luminosity.

Quick and easy!

Quicker and easier - use the attached action.

byRo

I have read too many of your exellent tips to think that this one would be crazy, it just appears so. Will have to give this one a try. Thanks for your fresh perspective on things I thought I knew.

-30/+30 Photoshop B/C. Then same settings using Roland's action. I know which one I prefer.

Dave

I'm confused. i ran the action. What did I get???? It appears to be a b/c adjustment layer. I'm confused.
kiska

I'm confused. i ran the action. What did I get???? It appears to be a b/c adjustment layer. I'm confused.
kiska

Upon 1st inspection, you're right: It looks like a b/c adjustment layer.

Notice:
* There's no mask (the thumbnail that normally accompanies an adjustment layer)
* If you open the Layers Palette flyout menu and check the Blending Options dialog, notice the settings for the "Blend if" sliders

Duplicate your image and apply a B/C adjustment layer and mess with the settings. Then apply the same settings to Ro's version. Seeing the difference is what turned on the lightbulb for me.

- - - - - - -

Ro:

You once again are showing me things I didn't know were possible. I thank you, sincerely.

~Danny~

Alrighty then, dashing Danny. I get it! The b/c adjustment is less extreme, black and white wise. More subtle and pleasing.

BTW, as a BIG surprise b'day gift, my kids gave me a 5 day trip to Seattle to visit my brother next summer. I have googled 'whale watching', and several to choose from. Any recommendations??? Any other suggestions. Also going overnight to Victoria.

Thanks
kiska

Don't know if it's possible for you, but it sure would be nice if you could squeeze in some time for a short to us in Nanaimo! It's about 1 1/2 hour drive from Victoria.

Cheers
Dave

Sounds possible. I know I'm 'jumping the gun' here. Just excited. Wouldn't have done it for myself.
kiska

I used to live in Medicine Hat, Alberta and have visited friends in both Victoria and Nanaimo.

I'm sure you will have a great time no matter what you choose, and of course if you choose to visit DUV then theres a bonus for you.

I do not wish to hijack this thread, but if you get a chance to visit The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, you wont be disappointed, plenty of great photographic opportunities to be had and of course, you will enjoy the whale watching ( and the dolphins ) if you happen to come across any.

Thanks guys for the Seattle and area suggestions. I'm taking notes.
kiska

Hey Axle. How come you didn't stop by to visit? Just jokin' If you're ever in this neck of the woods again stop on by. If you need a place to stay we've got lots of room. Just let me know cause I'm expecting Doug Nelson to pony on up here as well. Here that Doug?

Cheers
Dave

BTW, as a BIG surprise b'day gift, my kids gave me a 5 day trip to Seattle to visit my brother next summer. I have googled 'whale watching', and several to choose from. Any recommendations??? Any other suggestions. Also going overnight to Victoria.

Thanks
kiska

"Whale watching" is a hit and miss thing. Sometimes you see 'em, sometimes you don't -- so if you take a WW trip from the perspective of enjoying the boat ride, and if you DO see whales, it's a bonus, you won't be disappointed.

re: A day in Victoria
Here's all you need to know:
http://www.victoriaclipper.com/

I highly endorse the Butchart Gardens recommendation. They are spectacular if you're into flowers/plants/park-like setting w/fountains, etc. Summer should be great time of year for flowers in bloom. Probably a 3.5-4.0 hr trip. It's a ways out of town as I recall -- about a 30-45 minute tour bus ride.

Restaurants around Seattle:
* Salty's at Alki Beach - wonderful view of Seattle from accross the Sound. Casual to dressy. Not pretentious. Specializes in seafood, but a varied menu.
* Palisade - another wonderful view of Seattle from a different direction. Again, casual to dressy. Not pretentious. Specializes in seafood, but a varied menu. My favorite.
* Palimino - Downtown. Italian.
* McCormick and Schmicks - Downtown. Seafood, but varied menu.
* Daniel's Broiler (near downtown). Killer steaks, beef, prime rib.

Touristy stuff:
* Seattle monorail is out of service, unfortunately.
* Downtown Seattle: Lots of shopping, clean and safe.
* Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is) - Large, park like setting, pretty fountain, Children's Museum.
* Space Needle - trip to the top. On a summer day, the view should be awesome. It's a pretty spendy elevator ride, though, but IMO worth it for the view if it's not cloudy. Cocktails and relatively spendy fast food available.
* Space Needle Restaurant - Pretty fancy. Rotates once/hour. Dressy and limited menu, but good food.
* Experience Music Project (EMP) - If you're into music (history) or playing musical instrments, this is an exceptionally cool place. Hendrix, Beatles, Stones, Elvis, Sinatra -- the whole nine yards.
* Safeco Field - 5 minutes from downtown. If you're into Major League Baseball, this is a very nice ballpark and the fans are polite vs. other parks I've visited. Food/refreshments are spendy, e.g., $6 for a beer. If nothing else, check out the street vendors on the day of a game. Some of the food is to die for. (You can take peanuts into the game, but not beverages or other food.)
* Seattle Art Museum - Downtown Seattle. Lots of art of all kinds.
* Pike Place Market - Downtown. A simply amazing place, esp. the fish and fresh produce markets. Zillions of shops. Free, unless you buy stuff!
* Boeing Museum of Flight - Near downtown (about 20 minutes or so). If you're into planes, jets, 'copters, space craft, this is a dream come true.

Hope this gives you some ideas and the weather cooperates.

~Danny~