Photo Filter Example using Photoshop CS

Photoshop Elements does not support Photo Filters and Curves, so this example will use Photoshop CS to extend the example in the Layers page and the Clone page.   The result from the Layers page yielded the image shown in Fig. 1 below.  The Clone page eliminated the edge artifact where the sky meets the land.  We will first apply a warming Photo Filter layer to the land, but not to the sky, in order to remove blue cast haze over the canyon.  We will also replace the sky Levels layer to a Curves layer adjustment.  The resulting image is shown in Fig. 2.  At the end of this page, we will give some close-up views.
 

Fig. 1.  Before (from Layers page)
link to full sized image
Fig. 2.  After all of the changes below
link to full sized image

Select the Land

Notes:  Warming filters are commonly used in film photography, particularly in southwestern landscapes.  The filter was not applied to the sky because I have other plans, and blue skies are generally nicer than brown skies.  If you click on the Filter selection in Fig. 3, you will see about 18 other filters to choose from.

A VIP note for applications where the image has near white regions is to click OFF the Preserve Luminosity check box.  With it checked on, the near white regions will remain white because the high luminosity is preserved.  With it checked off, the area will become darker and pick up more of the filter color.  This is an option when you have blown out highlights and you would probably use it only on a selection of the highlights.

Curves Layer adjustment to the sky:

Notes:  In the Curves dialog box, you might want to change the Mode to Luminosity (from the default value of Normal).  This is very important if you like the current colors.  We do this in the page on Simulating Velvia Film Using the Channel Mixer.  That page also has additional information on what the Curves adjustment actually does to the intensities.
 
Fig. 3  Photo Filter dialog
Fig. 4  Curves dialog

The following three figures show a portion of the images at full pixel resolution (of this old 2MP image).  Fig. 4 is the original image, Fig. 2 is the image after the adjustments in the Layers page, and Fig. 3 shows the results of this page, together with the Clone page that removed the edge artifacts.
 

Fig.1 Original image
Fig. 2 Result from Layers page
Fig. 3 Result from this page and the Clone page

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