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Mini-PSDs … new feature

One of the things our subscribers have said that they find most useful are the layered PSD files that we include with each image-based tutorial. As such we’re now releasing an additional low res’ PSD file every week from February 2010 onwards. Each image will be between 800px and 1000px wide, and will be selected from those that have previously been published on chromasia. They will be provided ‘as is’ – just the file, with little or no explanatory text – but will help you work out how each image was constructed. Annual subscribers and lifetime members can download these from the members’ page and can request that specific images be added to the archive via the members’ forum.

For further information on our image-based tutorials, Digital Workflow, and Creative Workflow tutorials, please click here, and for details regarding our forthcoming tutorials and development plans, please take a look at this page.

Mini-PSDs (the archive) • updated each week
From this … to this

Mini-PSD #10 [uploaded on 15th Mar 2010]
In addition to a large increase in both contrast and saturation (Curves, Channel Mixer, and Hue/Saturation) the most significant change that was made to this image was the flip in orientation: transforming this dull, flat shot of a puddle into an image with considerably more impact.

View a larger version here >>>

Mini-PSD #9 [uploaded on 8th Mar 2010]
This image – a shot of an old bicycle in the Spice Souk, Dubai – was adjusted using: seven masked curves (six for contrast, one for colour); two channel mixer adjustment layers; and one hue/saturation adjustment layer. Some minor modifications were also made to the background areas of the image.

View a larger version here >>>

Mini-PSD #8 [uploaded on 1st Mar 2010]
This image was adjusted in Lab Color mode, using one image modification layer and six curves: five to selectively alter the contrast in different areas of the image, and one to dramatically alter the colour balance.

View a larger version here >>>

Mini-PSD #7 [uploaded on 22nd Feb 2010]
This was an opportunistic capture of a guest at a wedding, and was post-processed using two Channel Mixer adjustment layers (to convert the image to black and white) and six Curves adjustments: selectively applied to alter the contrast and tone of the black and white conversion.

View a larger version here >>>

Requested by Nicki Steiger, one of our lifetime members.

Mini-PSD #6 [uploaded on 15th Feb 2010]
This image was post-produced in Lab Color mode using four curves to adjust both the tonal balance and colour balance of different areas of the image. Additionally, the two figures were moved from the middle of the image towards the right-hand edge: correcting the compositional imbalance of the original shot.

View a larger version here >>>

Requested by Tony Murray, one of our lifetime members.

Mini-PSD #5 [uploaded on 8th Feb 2010]
This reflection of Blackpool Tower, taken on Blackpool beach in the UK, started out as a rather grey, flat original. With a large increase in both contrast and saturation though, I was able to produce a much more striking image. It was adjusted using six Curves adjustment layers, one Channel Mixer layer, one Selective Color adjustment, and one Hue/Saturation adjustment.

View a larger version here >>>

Requested by April Pinsonneault, one of our annual subscribers.

Mini-PSD #4 [uploaded on 6th Feb 2010]
The rather dull original was transformed using a variety of adjustment layers including six Curves adjustment layers (for tone and contrast), one Hue/Saturation adjustment layer, a Selective Color adjustment, and two image based layers.

View a larger version here >>>

Mini-PSD #3 [uploaded on 6th Feb 2010]
This smoke shot was transformed using five Curves adjustment layers (to alter contrast and tone), one Hue/Saturation adjustment, two image based layers, and an Invert adjustment layer.

View a larger version here >>>

Mini-PSD #2 [uploaded on 6th Feb 2010]
This image was constructed using twelve layers: seven Curves adjustment layers; two additional image layers; one Invert adjustment (set to Color blend mode); one Selective Color layer; and one Vibrance adjustment.

View a larger version here >>>

Mini-PSD #1 [uploaded on 6th Feb 2010]
This was a relatively straightforward image to produce, created using six adjustment layers: an additional image layer, modified by Topaz Detail to enhance local contrast; a Channel Mixer layer to partially desaturate the image; and four Curves adjustment layers.

View a larger version here >>>

Contact us

If you have any questions about any of the information on this page, or would like to ask us anything else about our Photoshop tutorials or training, please email us using the following link

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Further information

To find out more about our other individual tutorials please click any of the following images. Alternatively, you can visit our main tutorials page for further information on: our annual subscriptions and lifetime memberships; our forthcoming issues; and our current members’s offer. You can also read through our sample tutorial on Tonal Range and the Curves tool.

David J. Nightingale © 2003–10 • all rights reserved

our latest award
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We're extremely pleased to announce that Libby, head honcho at Chromasia Training Limited, and the business brains behind our online tutorials, has just won the Business Start-up of the Year category of the Northwest Women in Business Awards 2009.

testimonials

You make it all seem so easy David and the clear step by step process really helps to explain how it's the incremental little, basic changes, make all the difference in the final complete image. Great as always.

A crystal-clear tutorial for a novice like me.Thank you very much.

Very well presented. I consider myself an advanced Photoshop user, and there is information here I will find useful. The ability to download and view the layered files is crucial – the difference between the original and end result in Image 4 is staggering.

Absolutely superb tutorial David, well set out and very easy to follow. I've learnt such a tremendous amount already and am really looking forward to the others.

This is an excellent tutorial. I am by no means a neophyte when it comes to using Photoshop to process my images, but I had always wondered about the toning effects I have seen on Chromasia. There are some techniques here that I really hadn't used or seen tutorials for, so this was definitely worthwhile!

It is a rare treat that a photographer that produces such outstanding pieces of art, would also be able to produce such a wonderfully presented and explained tutorial. I've been a photographer for years, but have never really used Photoshop. As with any tutorial, if you are already in the knowledge about the subject then it is bound to seem too simple - but for me, to be able to see your examples of turning a "normal" photo into another Chromasia photo is magic.

This has been worth waiting for. Like many people, I can follow the step by step process with sample pictures and understand the techniques involved. I then open one of my own and wonder what I should do first, adding curves and other layers at random without really understanding what I want to achieve. I've often looked at David's original and final pictures and thought "How did he visualise it ending up like that?" With this tutorial you've got me thinking a different way – towards an end result rather than a series of random adjustments.

Another superb tutorial David, clear, concise and perfectly described. Definitely one of the best ever on HDR and Photomatix.

Awesome tutorial Dave. My lifetime subscription is already looking like pretty good value!

These have been truly a joy to go through. I especially appreciate that you reinforce the concepts as you go along. Thanks for being a good steward of your gifts.

In this, your third (2nd subscription) tutorial, I very much enjoy 'getting inside your head'. Reading about the process of discovery, the trial and error, and of course a down to Earth description of the different Photoshop tools, has helped me in ways no other book or tutorial has.

Very valuable stuff covered here Dave, the layout is simple to follow and a great insight to improving images, very much worth the subscription. All the best.

Thanks a ton for your tutorials. It's a boon for people at the other end of the globe who actually can't attend your classes. Waiting for more.


Online tutorials 
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