Perusing my image database today, I found this photograph of an ornamental cabbage that I took a few years ago. I didn’t like the glass vase showing and this simple capture really needed some post-processing love to portray the vibrancy of the original.
Base Edits
First, I needed to prepare the original image by lightening the right side of the image, retouching out the vase and extending the canvas. I did all of these using a layer mask.
- I converted the background layer (the cabbage photo) into a regular layer by double-clicking the layer in the Layer’s Panel.
- I then extended the canvas area on the top and sides. Image / Canvas Size.
- Then, I used a Levels layer adjustment to brighten the background.
- Next, I added a layer under the cabbage layer and filled it with white. (Hit D for the default color swatches, hit X to make sure the white is the foreground and then use Option + Delete (Mac) or Alt + Delete (PC).
- Using a layer mask on the cabbage layer, I carefully brushed (with black) to reveal more of the white-filled layer below. I used 100% where the vase was to eliminate it and lower opacities for the background. Be sure to use the softest brush for general lightening and a harder brush for edge details. I found it easier to do big sweeps with a very large soft brush along the right side and then go back in and clean up the leaves with a smaller brush.
- I then merged all of these edits into a layer above using the copy via merge feature. Command + Option + Shift + E (Mac) Control + Alt + Shift + E (PC)
- Finally, on the merged layer, I used OnOne’s Perfect Effects to bring out the saturation, clarity and detail.
(See the Layer Panel below)
Texture Details
Well, of course I decided this now needed a texture!
First Texture:
(Added above the base edits.)
- I used Smoothie from the Tableaux Collection. I liked the painterly feel of it, but I altered it using layer adjustments and clipping masks for hue/saturation, color balance, and I brightened it with levels.
- Blend Mode: Multiply, Opacity: 88%.
- I masked this layer to reveal the cabbage better.
Second Texture:
(Topmost in layer panel.)
- I then added Faith from the Glorious Grunge Collection.
- Blend Mode: Multiply, Opacity: 79%
- Again, I used a Levels layer adjustment with a clipping mask to brighten the texture a little.
- This texture required very little masking.
Final Image
Resources:
American Photographer and Designer living in France with my French husband, 2 Weimaraners and Cat Rescues. Camera, Mac, studio, garden.
I love this image, Leslie! Thanks for the tutorial. I had one little question…in the BASE EDITS section, besides adding and adjusting the new white background, can you give some specifics about the OnOne love you added to the photo of the flower itself? I have played with this plugin suite a bit but am not real familiar with their presets – do you have some favorite presets/settings for the CLARITY and Detail adjustments that you made to this photo?
Thanks as always – you are a treasure!
Flo
I’ve played around quite a bit with Perfect Effects 3. For this image, in the Color & Tone tab, I used Add Saturation and Clarity and then in the Detail tab I used Amazing Detail. I think I used Saturation 100%, Clarity maybe 30 and Amazing Detail I don’t remember on this one, but I usually use around 50%.
I also use Punch Drunk in the Movie Looks tab, I use the photo filters, I also sometimes use the contrast mask in the Darkroom tab, and some of the glow filters. Just depends on what I’m doing, but those are some I use a lot. xx
BTW…I think the PC command for COLOR FILL LAYER is ALT+Backspace? If Im wrong, let me know!
You may well be right! I’m not a PC user. I’ll have to update that.
Dear Leslie,
This tutorial, like all of yours, was super helpful. I needed to be reminded of the Image/canvas size trick. I had been puzzling about how to extend a canvas and then happily saw your instruction here. Yea!
You are a very clear instructor and I always learn something/some things when I study your tutorials.
I could use some help with the new watercolor spots brushes. I love them, but feel I haven’t tapped into their full potential.
Thanks!
Thanks for that feedback, Lorelei. I’ll be doing watercolor tuts soon. I’ve been trying to finish all my watercolor work. Spent 8 hours retouching yesterday and most of today sorting the database. Also been working on the demos – nearly done. Hope to get everything up this next week. (Well – at least a lot of it!)
Hi Leslie,
Lovely work….wondering if you are doing any online classes please. Would love to join if you are
Many thanks Anna