I probably should have posted this in the tech section, but I thought I had a better chance of getting help here. As some of you know, I recently bought PS CS. I had been using PSP 9 and was reasonably happy, but I wanted to be able to take advantage of the numerous actions that are available for Photoshop.
Overall, I have been very pleased with the results that I've been getting, but have noticed a recurring problem that causes an otherwise decent shot to turn out not so good. It involves using the Shadows / Highlights tool. When I first started using PS, this tool was one that really impressed me. Judicious use really can make a picture 'pop'. Every now and then however, I see a really strange effect. When I bring up this tool, no matter how low (or high) I make either the S or the H setting, the image becomes extremely contrasty, to the point where highlights are very blown, and almost posterized looking.
I always shoot RAW, and convert the NEF's to 16-bit TIFF's. I then bring them into PS and go through a standard process. One of the first things that I do is to bring up the S / H tool. On the affected shots, a non-zero setting on either the S or the H causes the problem. Essentially, I either settle for a bad looking image, or just don't use the S / H tool.
Has anyone else seen this? Does anyone know the cause / solution? What am I doing wrong??
You assistance is appreciated.
Frank
Overall, I have been very pleased with the results that I've been getting, but have noticed a recurring problem that causes an otherwise decent shot to turn out not so good. It involves using the Shadows / Highlights tool. When I first started using PS, this tool was one that really impressed me. Judicious use really can make a picture 'pop'. Every now and then however, I see a really strange effect. When I bring up this tool, no matter how low (or high) I make either the S or the H setting, the image becomes extremely contrasty, to the point where highlights are very blown, and almost posterized looking.
I always shoot RAW, and convert the NEF's to 16-bit TIFF's. I then bring them into PS and go through a standard process. One of the first things that I do is to bring up the S / H tool. On the affected shots, a non-zero setting on either the S or the H causes the problem. Essentially, I either settle for a bad looking image, or just don't use the S / H tool.
Has anyone else seen this? Does anyone know the cause / solution? What am I doing wrong??
You assistance is appreciated.
Frank