If you are following Bryce Mohan's posts on Layer Masks in Photoshop, you know the man is a master artist. And if you using full version Photoshop, the Channel Mixer is right here: Layer -> New Adjustment Layer -> Channel Mixer:
But, what if you are using Photoshop Elements? Well, you had to know there was some reason Elements costs about $60.00, while the full version Phhotoshop CS3 costs about $600.00. The reason is Adobe stripped a few things out of Elements to make it affordable for the average guy or gal. Channel Mixer was one of the casualties.
But not to worry. We can kinda, sorta, almost get you to the same place in Elements without the Channel Mixer. Without even installing Hidden Elements set of secret power tools.
Try this:
1. Open your image. Choose one that is colorful to start with, so you can better see the effect.
2. Hit Layer -> New Adjustment Layer -> Hue/Saturation
3. Either go with the default layer name, or choose a new name and click OK
4. The Hue/Saturation dialogue box will pop up. Drag the Saturation slider all the way to the left side (-99). Click OK.
4. Notice you now have a new adjustment layer in your Layers Palette. .
5. Click the Gradient tool.
6. Notice the Tool Options bar. Click on the drop-down arrow, and choose the Black,White Gradient. (You will want to come back later and experiment with the other gradients, too). At "Mode:" I set the Opacity at 50%, also be sure transparency is checked.
7. Click at one edge of the image, then drag the gradient line across the image. You can drag all the way to the other edge, or you can stop somewhere before the edge. I stopped about 1/3 of the way across. How far you drag the gradient, whether you drag at a straight line or diagonal will all give you different results. You'll want to experiment to find what works for your particular image.
8. When you stop dragging and release the mouse button, the image will change, revealing partial color, fading to black and white.
You don't have the kind of precision or control you would have in the full version of Photoshop, but whaddaya want for $60 bucks? <s>
Always fun and informative Cheryl - also the "Hidden Elements" link was new info to me. Thanx.
I might learn something, if I am not careful.
Ted, I decided to make a game of it. When Bryce Mohan demonstrates some great technique in Photoshop CS3, I'm going to see how close I can come to reproducing the technique in Elements.
It will be a learning experience for everyone. Me, especially, since I am not all that familiar with Elements.
Mott, There is a lot of info on using Photoshop in both the Photography Group, and the Photoshop Elements Group. I like to think the tutorials created here by AR members are as good as any out there on the web. Maybe better. <s>
Oh, this is too cool! Cheryl, were you a teacher at some point? I agree that the quality of tutorials from our members is second to none!
Mike in Tucson
Warm regards,
Mary
Hi Cheryl-
Great stuff, I'been using Photoshop for a couple of years now and have barely scratched the surface. I got Elements for my wife and now I have a new trick to teach her. Thanks!
Cheryl: I did it. I took the plunge. I just jumped in and bought Photoshop Elements. Right now, it is 12:04 am Sunday morning, September 2, 2007. Time to go sleepie-pie. And... what a better way to drift off to dreamland than by reading the Photoshop Elements Instruction Manual.
Yikes... talk about not having a life ! LOL
Karen: Congratulations and welcome to the family! :-)
What I usually find to be the biggest challenge in learning a new piece of software is not so much understanding what the various functions do ... but finding where the commands for those functions are hidden in the menu system!!! (I really try to remember that whenever I put together one of these tutorial posts)
Actually, Cheryl - I might disagree with you < gasp >
I think for the new user of the photo editing software such as Photoshop Elements the scope and power of the commands is remarkable to the point of overwhelming and there are frequently several methods which will bring about the desired result. For these users the process of learning what the software will do is, perhaps, more challenging than finding the keystrokes to accomplish the goal. For the more experienced user - moving up from elements to ps cs3 - for example, then, I agree, the command map is the key.
In the early '80s I did some course presentations on early computer applications. People found the command driven word processor more difficult than the menu driven accounting application because they were faced with a blank screen and needed to know what the options were to move forward. (unlike the menu driven apps where options were always spelled out). Now people understand what word processors do - back then the concepts of cut and paste were not familiar. So I would not assume that the new digital photographer understands what wonders can be performed by post processing and editing.
That is what I enjoy about your excellent tutorials. You present what the software will do, what the changes will look like along the way, and what keystrokes give the desired result.
As always, thank you for all you do.
Ted ... I think we actually agree, we just used different words. :-)
When I said "finding where the commands for those functions are" ... I meant finding where they are buried within the menus ... for example, if I wanted to place a simple border around a picture, and didn't know where to find it in the menus, I don't think "Select-Modify" would be the first place I'd look. :-)
Cheryl - you can show me the way anytime ! I just wouldn't want you to think I wasn't paying attention.
And as for the folks who designed the command interface in Photoshop (and several other programs, now that I think about it) - I hope they are back on their medication and doing much better now.
Cheryl, thanks for covering elements...I'd guess a lot of people are using it and it is a very good tool, with a lot of the functionality an average user needs.
Besides, sometimes I think you explain things more clearly. :)
Cheers, -B