Part One of this tutorial dealt with setting up your space to take photographs with a clean white background, whilst Part Two concentrated on camera settings and how to get the best from your photographs. This third and final part concentrates on using photo manipulating software to get a similar look when photos turn out dull due to bad lighting conditions or camera inadequacies. It’s always best to get a good shot to start with using the techniques in parts 1&2, but for those too impatient to wait for a brighter day and better conditions, here’s an alternative.
There are almost certainly many ways of achieving this same effect in Photoshop, I’m pretty sure I once knew some others, but I have successfully pushed them all out of my head when I discovered which way I decided to be the easiest.
So, after opening the file (above) in photoshop it should only take a few short steps to make this picture shine.
From the toolbar, select Image > Adjustments > Curves
Now, from the window that pops up, select the eyedropper on the right of the group of three. This is the one that sets the ‘white point’.
Ooh, we’re so close – the magic is about to happen…
Now guide the little eyedropper tool tip to an area of the background that was your white sheet of card, click it and pop!
What this essentially does is tell the imaging software ‘hey – you see this colour here? It’s supposed to be white, darn it. Now, go fix it!’ and photoshop duly obliged.
You should now have a perfectly white background. If you do not, then just click around a few more areas of the background until you do.
Well, that really is the sum of all of my knowledge. Not much, is it? Nevertheless, after playing around with the settings a bit you soon find what works for you.
Thanks for the fab tips Mimi. I have a quick question for you …do you use the full version of Photoshop or just Photoshop Elements? My version is quite old and I should probably upgrade!
Exactly what I was looking for! Straightforward and easy to replicate. Thank you so much for your tips.
Thanks bunches and bunches!!!
Wow! Mimi, you have a real knack for explaining things VERY easily! The photoshop tip is so easy to follow. Wish you would do more!!! Thanks so much.
Oh!!! Thank you! thank you! thank you!!!
I loved this series. I’m going to have to review my photo software and see if I can find a similar feature within it for Curves. Thanks!
Fantastic series! thanks for the help. I agree with Aruna…you are great at explaining what you do.
How did I miss these great tutorials?? I must have been busy in August. I’m glad I found them now. I’ve bookmarked them and will put them to use. Thank you!
Thank you! I was using this ‘curve’ tool in Photoshop, but didn’t know about the white dropper! Awesome!
I think I found this late, but better late than never! This was a fabulous three part tutorial. Especially since I believe you and I have the same camera. I’ve always wondered how to take better shots. Now all I have to do is find a corner the dogs can’t get to so I take pictures. Especially since I have a “ham”. Off to brag about you on Twitter! Thanks!
Such great info put together in such an understandable way, thanks a lot!!!