PS CS Problem / Question

I have a saved S/H setting

of 10/10, and that's all I would ever nominally use. Sometimes I dial it down further from there, to 5-6%.

 

I rarely use the S/H tool unless I didn't use fill when I should have or something like that. I really don't like the look of the S/H tool, somewhat like you describe.

Usually what I do is use the curves to bring up midtones (if I do it at all) and that way I have more control over the results.

It could be I'm just misusing the S/H tool - maybe its just a old habit that curves is easier.

 

Frank I have the same problem. Right now I find I
get better outputs by using D-light in Capture and
then moving to Photoshop for other tweeks.

 

If you want, I can suggest a method that replaces S/H. Actually, it is more capable, and free of the bugs S/H has. But it is quite long, though can be coded as an action.

 

Another perspective on S/H tool.

I like the tool very much. I'm wondering are you using all of the settings on the tool? Make sure the tool is totally opened by checking the more options box.

Using a little bit of either S or H play with the tonal width or radius sliders. I've found that to reduce glare, a small amount of H with a moderate amount of tonal width and a large amount of radius works wonders sometime.

When that is done play with the color correction slider to offset any reddening and then tweak the midtone contrast.

Harlan

 

Frank,

One other step you can take after using the S/H is to go into brightness/contrast and lower the contrast a little in there. I find that helps too. Let me know if this works and if not, I will see what else I can do to help you.

 

Iliah,

If you send me your process, I will make an action for Frank if he wants me too.

 

Me too, (humbly requests)

Melissa

I'd love to try the action also. I'm always looking for new ways of doing things!

Harlan

 

Re: Me too, (humbly requests)

If Iliah, sends me the process I will be happy to turn it into an action. I just learned not to long ago how to make actions so I am a little slow at it but it can be done. I made one action and it worked beautifully and was based on a tutorial.

 

Hi, Flew. I have had the same problem in the past and found that it was a combination of setting the amount of highlight recovery and radius too high, and having midtone contrast set above 0. Being less agressive on the first two I mentioned and setting midtone contrast to 0 greatly reduces posterization whilst still pulling hidden details out of the shadows. Like Steven, I use 10/30/10 or less - that is, unless I am working with layers and targeting a particularly troublesome shadow that is vital to the overall subject. I would also set as default midtone contrast to 0. All and all, I find the s/h much less destructive than NC/DEE if reasonable care is exercised in choosing the appropriate settings.