Skin retouch problem

[beichh4046]

I saw a tip for working on the skin and part of it was:

"In the channels palate, create an alpha channel and with the curves adjustment you can bring the light levels down to the point where blemishes are easily seen."

I am running into a problem with this part. I know how to create an alpha channel but thats it. Could someone help explain the steps on how to do this?

[Markzebra]

Go to your Channels palette - click on the eye icons to see the channels individually(or press command 1,2,3) - choose which channel you see the most contrast in the image? Now drag the channel down to the New Channel icon - this is at the bottom of your palette - this will duplicate it and call it Alpha 1 - there's your alpha channel.

Sounds like a bad tutorial though, wouldn't too pay much attention to it

[beichh4046]

I appreciate it but I know how to create an alpha channel. I just don't get how you can do the next step.

Here is the picture I am referring to that was worked on this way.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=563607

Here is the part that explained how he did it.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...=563607&page=4

[Markzebra]

I'm not going to register with that to see the exact post, it requires registration -

So you need to know how to use Levels?

"you can bring the light levels down to the point where blemishes are easily seen." - this means move the right slider - the one marked with a WHITE triangle at the top, with a value of 255 … inwards. Until you put enough contrast into the channel to see the "blemishes" I guess

[beichh4046]

Ohh, I had checked the link butI forgot that it automatically logs me in. Sorry about that.

But, now that makes sense about the levels. I'll try that. Thanks.