Using Brightness / Contrast

[byRo]

(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

[Gary Richardson]

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.

[Duv]

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

Dave

[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

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by 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~

[kiska]

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

[Duv]

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

[kiska]

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

[Axleuk]

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.

[kiska]

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

[Duv]

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

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by kiska

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~