Color Correction Tutorial and Freebies
New icons coming this weekend, but for now a tutorial. Several of you asked for different icons, but I honestly felt that this one would more useful in the long run, as the techniques are not completely image specific. And before anyone asks, I have no clue how this would translate to PSP. Sorry!
We'll be making this:
Please note that I made the original icon over a month ago, and since I rarely save psds, the icon is not 100% exact.
We'll be working with this cap, by _jems_. This tutorial should work just fine, however, with any other overly blue cap.
1. Crop to 200x200. This is personal preference, I find it easier to work on a larger canvas.
2. Image>Adjustments>Auto Contrast. Honestly, this is the first thing I do for every. single. image. I work with, mostly because i'm lazy, but also because it brings out highlights and lowlights already present in the image.
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3. Duplicate Layer, Gaussian Blur 1, Screen, 50% Opacity. This step helps lighten the image, but also works in your favor when you sharpen later on. If your image really bright to begin with, try the layer on soft light instead.
to
4. Layers>New Adjustment Layer>Curves. It seems that curves are the new "it" tool to use, and with good reason. It's one of the first tools I learned when I started using Photoshop, and it's honestly the most versatile thing you can use. LEARN THEM. I could go on all day about their various uses, and the proper way to use them, but again, I am lazy. Google Curves Tutorial, and watch your life change. Or you know, your images improve. Whatever. Now, I forgot to write down everything I did on this, but I do have screencaps, which work the same way pretty much.
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5. New Layer. Flood fill with #A4F9D8. Set to Color Burn, 60% opacity. Color Burn is another thing I can't live without. I've noticed that the light turquoise color burn layer is all the rage, but try other colors as well. Lavenders, pinks, greens, yellows...don't be afraid to step out of the box on this one.
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6. Layers>New Adjustment Layer>Color Balance. Easist way in the world to correct the little color details. Just play with it until you feel comfortable.
to
7. Layers> New Adjustment Layer>Hue/Saturation. Raise saturation to 15. The effect is subtle, but you don't want to go overboard on saturation.
to
8. Layers>New Adjustment Layer>Curves. What can I say, I love my curves. I thought the image needed a bit more red than the Color Balance provided, and a little more contrast.
to
9. New Layer. Drag the layer down on your layer palette to right above your color burn layer. Flood fill with #909D51. Set to soft light. I wasn't 100% happy with the color, so I added this in. This brings out the greens a bit better, and warms the blue tones.
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10. New Layer. Image>Apply Image. Duplicate layer, sharpen once. Resize to 100x100. Lower opacity of sharpened layer if needed. Always, always do your sharpening on a duplicated layer. It will save you a million headaches in the long run.
to
to
And that's pretty much it. I wasn't lying when I said all I do is basic image correction/color. What I did here WILL work on just about any cap/image you choose, with minor modifications.
Also, you probably noticed that I do everything on an adjustment layer. This will help you down the road if you want to go back and make minor adjustment to your settings, without having to completely scrap everything and start over.
Edit: Because I worked through this rather quickly, I forgot one step. You'll notice a slight pixelation below the gas tank and near the car trim. All you have to do to correct that is use a small soft round brush and your blur tool set to around 30%. Just be careful and make sure you don't blur any edges.
And now for the freebies, I zipped up the curves presets I use most often. Just please don't use these as is and call it a day. Look at the different channels to help you learn how curves work, and combine them with new curves layers/color layers/etc.
9 Curves Presets
Right Click, Save As
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
We'll be making this:
Please note that I made the original icon over a month ago, and since I rarely save psds, the icon is not 100% exact.
We'll be working with this cap, by _jems_. This tutorial should work just fine, however, with any other overly blue cap.
1. Crop to 200x200. This is personal preference, I find it easier to work on a larger canvas.
2. Image>Adjustments>Auto Contrast. Honestly, this is the first thing I do for every. single. image. I work with, mostly because i'm lazy, but also because it brings out highlights and lowlights already present in the image.
to
3. Duplicate Layer, Gaussian Blur 1, Screen, 50% Opacity. This step helps lighten the image, but also works in your favor when you sharpen later on. If your image really bright to begin with, try the layer on soft light instead.
to
4. Layers>New Adjustment Layer>Curves. It seems that curves are the new "it" tool to use, and with good reason. It's one of the first tools I learned when I started using Photoshop, and it's honestly the most versatile thing you can use. LEARN THEM. I could go on all day about their various uses, and the proper way to use them, but again, I am lazy. Google Curves Tutorial, and watch your life change. Or you know, your images improve. Whatever. Now, I forgot to write down everything I did on this, but I do have screencaps, which work the same way pretty much.
to
5. New Layer. Flood fill with #A4F9D8. Set to Color Burn, 60% opacity. Color Burn is another thing I can't live without. I've noticed that the light turquoise color burn layer is all the rage, but try other colors as well. Lavenders, pinks, greens, yellows...don't be afraid to step out of the box on this one.
+
=
6. Layers>New Adjustment Layer>Color Balance. Easist way in the world to correct the little color details. Just play with it until you feel comfortable.
to
7. Layers> New Adjustment Layer>Hue/Saturation. Raise saturation to 15. The effect is subtle, but you don't want to go overboard on saturation.
to
8. Layers>New Adjustment Layer>Curves. What can I say, I love my curves. I thought the image needed a bit more red than the Color Balance provided, and a little more contrast.
to
9. New Layer. Drag the layer down on your layer palette to right above your color burn layer. Flood fill with #909D51. Set to soft light. I wasn't 100% happy with the color, so I added this in. This brings out the greens a bit better, and warms the blue tones.
+
=
10. New Layer. Image>Apply Image. Duplicate layer, sharpen once. Resize to 100x100. Lower opacity of sharpened layer if needed. Always, always do your sharpening on a duplicated layer. It will save you a million headaches in the long run.
to
to
And that's pretty much it. I wasn't lying when I said all I do is basic image correction/color. What I did here WILL work on just about any cap/image you choose, with minor modifications.
Also, you probably noticed that I do everything on an adjustment layer. This will help you down the road if you want to go back and make minor adjustment to your settings, without having to completely scrap everything and start over.
Edit: Because I worked through this rather quickly, I forgot one step. You'll notice a slight pixelation below the gas tank and near the car trim. All you have to do to correct that is use a small soft round brush and your blur tool set to around 30%. Just be careful and make sure you don't blur any edges.
And now for the freebies, I zipped up the curves presets I use most often. Just please don't use these as is and call it a day. Look at the different channels to help you learn how curves work, and combine them with new curves layers/color layers/etc.
9 Curves Presets
Right Click, Save As
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!