I decided to show step-by-step screen shots for my quick post-processing method in Photoshop. This method will add contrast and detail while leaving the original image intact. If desired, the filtered effect can be selectively applied/removed by the use of a layer mask, which I will also show.
I took a couple of the steps in slightly different order than my previous post, and made definitive choices on how much effect to add. All of the steps can be tweaked to taste.
Step 1:
Duplicate the image layer by right clicking on the layer and selecting "Duplicate" from the pop-up menu. Make sure the duplicate layer is above the original.
Step 2:
With the duplicate layer selected, choose "Hue/Saturation" from the "Image" menu. In the pop-up dialog box, desaturate the duplicate layer by moving the middle slider to the left. In my example, I desaturated completely (-100).
Step 3:
With the duplicate layer selected, choose "Curves" from the "Image" menu. In the pop-up dialog box, use the mouse cursor to click and drag the center of the curve upward. This will have the effect of lightening and increasing contrast.
Step 4:
With the duplicate layer selected, choose a sharpening filter from the "Filter" Menu. In my example, I used "Unsharp Mask" with some subtle but discernable settings.
Step 5:
With the duplicate layer selected, choose "Overlay", "Hard Light" or "Soft Light" from the layer blending mode pop-up menu. "Soft Light" is the most subtle contrast mode of the three, and is the one I selected for this example. In the same layer, reduce the opacity--I chose 30%.
If a mask is desired, in the layer palette, click the icon that looks like a white circle on a gray background to add a layer mask to the duplicate layer. A white box representing the layer mask will be inserted next to the image of the duplicate layer.
Step 6:
With the layer
mask selected, use the paint brush to paint over areas to remove the filtering effect. Painting on a layer mask has the effect of blocking the layer it is associated with, allowing the layer below to show through. In my example, I circled the areas that I "painted"--on the layer mask there are black paint strokes representing those painted areas. I used a round paintbrush with feathered edges (brush hardness 0%). I set the brush at 100% opacity. However, different brushes and brush opacities can be used to subtly alter the layer mask.
For cases where you only want to filter a small area of the original, use the paint bucket to fill the layer mask, and then use the eraser to selectively "cut out" parts of the mask.
Here is the original image:
And here is the image with contrast filtering applied:
Although the original image has a fair amount of noise, the processed image looks more detailed and has a bit more "pop". As always, better quality input will yield better results!
