Mastering Contrast in your Images (Adobe Photoshop Tutorial)

[@seantuck]

As usual, whenever I do a tutorial I get a load of questions about 'why jpg'? 2 reasons. First: for all pro shoots I use RAW files, as I did in both these cases, but all RAW processing is done in Lightroom before I bring anything into Photoshop, and this is where I recover any information I need. Second: I know the editing elitists among you will insist on editing 16 bit TIFF files in Photoshop, but to be honest I almost never need that much information when I've exposed correctly in the first place. The only time TIFF's are necessary in my work is to prevent banding on a graduated background, but for all my other work jpg is absolutely fine. You're welcome to disagree of course and generate huge files for your own work, but this is my process and it serves me just fine while keeping file sizes down across the board. That's all I'll say about it.

[@HectorHernandez-lj8nf]

I've been fighting for a while now with my negatives scans trying to get more contrast without messing up the colors... and this video just rocked my entire world!!!! I followed along using my own jpg files and got exactly the results I've been looking for. Thank you so much for making this!

[@TheGraal]

Great Sean! Sounds good!

[@lorenson]

Amazing video! That's working with contrast on another level! Just for my understanding: You developed the raw in LR and exported it as a jpg to PS?

[@james.tupper]

translation = "cause I'm a baller, that's why."

[@markl577]

👋🎤💥

[@ana-maria553]

Honestly, your photography tutorials are by far the best I've seen on KZbin. Your voice is calm and soothing and your ability to explain complex concepts is captivating! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@seantuck]

Thank you:)

[@호이-v5z]

I agree😆

[@T.J_Wash]

When Sean drops a vid....I drop everything and pay attention.

[@TheOlympia75]

do you?

[@drewrobertson6286]

D-Tats,well.... this is just a guess, but he probably doesn’t drop acid, or his pants... just sayin

[@dcmikeworx]

I usually hide in the shadows and just learn from tutorials but today, Sean Tucker, you have inspired me to actually login and post a comment. I would like to thank you for being so direct, so full of information, so real and above all, not formulaic. Your presentation is so direct and you approach so much in line with where I want to be with my own photography that I needed to take an occasional pause, step back, breathe and watch again. Thank you for some incredible insights, not only in this tutorial but your channel in general. Inspirational!

[@seantuck]

That’s very kind, thanks mate.

[@d.kub.7100]

Sean I've never thanked you for your content. I know it's kind of weird to have a favorite photographer, but you're my favorite photographer. From the quality to of your photos to the way you carry yourself. You're one respectable human being.

[@Paul0937]

The mix of deeply technical step by step combined with the philosophy and personal experience is very much appreciated.

[@JohannesLabusch]

You're killing me. I've watched 12 minutes, and I already feel like I have homework for the next 5 years. Really appreciate your generosity with your expertise.

[@michaelschneeberger9512]

Been using Photoshop for more than 15 years now and I'm still discovering new stuff. Thanks a lot Sean for the quality of your work.

[@sids_studio]

Your tutorials are the best on KZbin.. So much value and worth spending time on... These are like RAW files of KZbin tutorials

[@craigstewart8196]

Found a good tip ... when you create your high pass layer ... convert it to a smart object first so you can return and change the amount of the high pass at any time! I found this tip after I would start all over again! Thanks Sean! This video has made look at how I edit my images ... and now they are so much better! Keep the content coming!

[@ryanhendrixson4898]

One of, if not the best, photography teachers on youtube.

[@EightTwoFourWeddingStudios]

Sean. I almost never leave comments on videos, but I couldn't help myself this time. Your approach to photography is so classy, and your creative taste is timeless. I've learned so much from videos like these and I can't thank you enough

[@seantuck]

Thanks Mark:)

[@fujimanxt-3420]

I have to say that I love your presentation style. Not ostentatious, not condescending. Very informative and creative. And I love the subtle nature of the enhancements you add to achieve the final product. You are very clear in your presentation and I can't wait to apply some of these techniques to my photos. Keep up the great work!

[@NigelSwan]

Evergreen LAX 2020 Elite likewise, nothing over over the top, just chill and informative. Very informative. I’ve been playing with darktable and this video still applies, I look forward to becoming slightly less noob.

[@corys9521]

It’s almost disheartening to watch your tutorials because I realize how much I have to learn. Thanks for your time and quality content

[@jamesmcneil4063]

I know next to nothing about Adobe Photoshop, but this video gives me a great deal of hope. THANKS!

[@gastonpierini1774]

Man your tutorials are not only incredibly useful but also enjoyable.

[@jtsvisuals3423]

love your tutorials because i don’t feel like someone is giving me a shortcut to better pictures. i feel like i’m learning what does what, and how to apply it in my own cases, as well as see how wonderful they work in your case.

[@jefflindeman]

I stumbled in through the rear gate, entering the editing suite from a side door. As my eyes became accustomed to the subdued lighting.I noticed a Welcome Trailer. Surprised and intrigued, I let the next video roll, "Contrast". Twenty years a Photoshop junkie, many where I felt I was faking it and compiling 'recipes' that I didn't really understand. Then, maybe ten years ago, I discovered the books of Martin Evening and it changed everything. A door was flung wide. Today, I have the feeling I've found another door, that I wasn't really even looking for to be honest. I use several of the techniques shown here, but the layered procedure and the addition of the opposite color tweak alone is absolutely stunning and will be put to use immediately. And with a good background already, I'm confident I will find much more here than I even now can imagine. Subbed without hesitation looking forward to coming along for the ride. Cheers

[@seantuck]

Thanks Jeff, and welcome:)

[@lefkris9596]

Finding the right contrast is a pain in the ass and you have just made our life much easier .... Many many many thanks!!!

[@wojtekw6040]

That was hypnotic! I am amazed by the final effect and how delicate yet powerful those changes are. Mind blown. Teach us Master

[@seantuck]

Cheers mate:)

[@JPleroux4]

Sean, I've been following you for several months and have to say THANK YOU for the content you put together. I get excited everytime you post as we have come to expect exceptional quality.

[@whowili7289]

One of the best youtube photography channels out there. Great video as usual. Thanks.

[@nuthanprasanth240]

This is the bet tutorial so far regarding the contrast . I watch this tutorial even after ages just to recollect the correct procedure . So many videos so far in the youtube but my mind prefer to watch this video.

[@호이-v5z]

I think your channel is the best photography channel. You voice is comfortable and you also know what we are curious about :) thank you.

[@hemanthmr09]

One of the best color correction tutorials ever...

[@rahulsubramanian86]

Watching this on a 65 inch TV and I can see how beautiful the final images look and how much they pop out! Amazing work flow. Thank you very much.

[@MARRRRC0P0L0]

How in the world could THIS amazing video get eight downvotes? Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is literally EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for, and I can’t wait to apply it to my next batch of shots. Great, simple, effective advice that actually works. Keep ‘em comin’ son, you’re doin’ fine!

[@FBall-im8ui]

I find trying to learn all these softwares overwhelming and then don't even get started, after watching this tutorial I believe I could create a b&w images.This was so easy to follow, well defined and at just the right speed. First tutorial where , because of the method of teaching, I was able to get it! Thanks will follow.

[@c.augustin]

This B&W layer to add contrast based on specific colours - that's a really great tip! We can do this in LR without layers, but I would never have thought that it could be accomplished this way in PS. I think I should play with it and look if it can do more for me. Thanks for sharing! *Edit:* The B&W adjustment layer (set to Soft Light) can be used instead, much more intuitive.

[@WilliamGuth]

I initially logged on to ask the .jpg question, so thank you for anticipating that. I found this tutorial to be very helpful, and motivating in that it forces me to reevaluate my process and workflow. Thank you for that too.

[@Isynko]

Thank you, Sean, for all your hard work on all videos, this content is just pure gold

[@alvaronieto2734]

Your retouching is subtle but looks great, easy and repeatable. Thanks for sharing.

[@qu14torze82]

Thank you, I love the color contrast adjustment. For a fully non-destructive processing you may want to right-click the High-Pass layer and choose Convert to Smart Object before applying the filter so that you can come back to the High-Pass settings later on.

[@blackhawkX02]

Holy crap, that contrast boost is at a whole other level.

[@mib8015]

Sean is the best photography KZbinr. Great style !

[@leorolo6827]

Thanks for taking the time out to make this video Sean, i cant wait to give these methods a try.

[@JohnHight3270]

Thank you, Sean, I used your 5 step contrast on one of my landscape shots, and it works very well in maintaining fine detail in bright clouds. Also, there is a quality to the process that comes across as a clear and clean look.

[@seantuck]

That’s great John:)

[@paulk7527]

Thanks Sean. Always a good day when you release a video.

[@peteyeomans9028]

Hands down one of the most useful and best explained Photoshop tutorials I've watched (and I've watched a lot) Explains the whys really well.

[@FelixTheG]

Sean i just sat there with my mouth open for half of the video. This was excactly what i needed since half a year, because i really started to "hate" the contrast slider in lightroom. And just by doing the normal black and whites and a little bit of s curves that never gave me the satisfaction of suttle but good contrast. Ill try it out right now :)

[@Nightmoore]

Best portrait post work tutorial I’ve seen on KZbin. That first photo was amazing. If you get bored (lol) I’d love to see some info on your strobe and ambient setup you used for that shot. What an incredible portrait.

[@Raouliyuki]

Thank you again Sean. Your generosity and talent are lovely gifts to us all.

[@CharlieHagedorn]

Thank you, Sean. I learned a bunch on the first watch, and have already been back twice as I've begun to experiment with your techniques. They have given me more control over images, and allowed far more subtlety than I've been able to reach alone. Thanks!

[@ottersphotography304]

Sean Tucker, I alwya learn a lot from your videos. Thank you for all the work you put into them and the content you produce. This video comes at a perfect time for me. I am at a point I need something more in my photos. I know it is "pop"/contrast but I can't seem to quite get there. Your information will change my work, I will be closer now to what I want to produce. This will help me translate my final image into what my brain sees and what my creative vision is craving to produce. A sincere thank you Sir.

[@seantuck]

You’re very welcome:)

[@deborahturk8866]

Thank you for another excellent video! Your clear and easy to follow tutorial has helped me to understand photoshop better and take the mystery out of it. This gradual and subtle fine-tuning of contrast is amazing. Thank you again Sean.

[@TylerMcGowan]

Fantastic tips Sean, and amazing how it preserves the skin tones and highlights without blowing things up. Seems difficult to achieve the same result in Lightroom. Playing around with this, I've found another layer setup that's a little more flexible, especially for the High Pass filter step... + Convert the original background layer to a smart object + Add the High Pass filter to the smart object and then it can be adjusted after the fact (if necessary) + Black & White contrast can be added as an adjustment layer, again, this way the red/yellow mix can be adjusted Added bonus to a smart object... you can apply the smart sharpen filter to it (or any filter for that matter) and adjust to taste whenever. No flattening/destructive edits until final export.

[@tonysempertegui5786]

Very practical and comprehensive step by step tutorial. Thank you Sean

[@brandshatch09]

That is single handily the best photoshop tutorial I have seen! Thank you!

[@mhuddlestone8209]

One of the best videos on contrast that I ever seen plus you explained why you did each step which is perfect for a beginner like me. I learnt so much. Great work!

[@DroptekOfficial]

Probably the best photography tutorial I've ever watched. Thank you!

[@_kowono]

Great video, a lot of tutorials I watch seem to make life more complicated and I struggle to replicate any of the methods. This, breaks it down and makes it simple. It also makes me realise how much I have to learn. Chapeau.

[@paullesliehutson5818]

An excellent Photoshop technique which I'll adopt. Thanks for sharing this Sean and teaching me something new and very useful

[@idaholarch]

Absolutely wonderful technique for fine control over contrast. Can't wait to try it. Thank you so much!

[@Ptpangel]

Crikey - that must be the most informative photoshop tutorial I've come across on KZbin. Excellent doesn't even begin to cover it - simply amazing. Thanks a heap!

[@edgardomanuel7524]

Thank you for sharing Sean. Even an amateur photographer like me can understand the tutorial on enhancing contrast to an image. Very well presented.

[@that_screaming_R6]

Brilliant once again, these videos are really helping make the big jump from editing purely in LR to the daunting move to PS. The way I learn needs video, a proper tutor rather than books and you have a way of explaining which just makes sense. Thank you!

[@lmergenti]

Tremendous! Thank you, Sean. I tried this technique after watching this video, and I am now a true believer. Fantastic! One of the most useful PS conrast/toning videos I've ever seen.

[@nickeddy01]

Totally love this tutorial Sean. I have been searching for a better way to add contrast to my images. While Lightroom does a good job, I think your method is infinitely better. Going to be playing with this a lot from now on. I love your whole channel by the way. You bring an amazing energy to photography which, as an enthusiast, I find totally inspiring. Thank you for making the world a better place.

[@seantuck]

Thanks mate. Glad it helped:)

[@harshabathija1283]

Loved the video. You have explained everything so simply. Just one video and you have a fan in me. Can't wait to dive into the rest of your work!

[@danturrisi9487]

You’re my new favorite photography teacher

[@smozzie24]

Wow! Can’t wait to try this out. Thanks for sharing Sean.

[@deplorablepatriot5338]

Great tutorial. Well presented and explained. It's not how I do it, but, that's the beauty of Photoshop...there are a lot of excellent ways to enhance images (or sometimes f them up!).

[@seantuck]

All roads lead to Rome:)

[@pallavid187]

Sean, I always like it that you keep things minimalistic (The image processing, the video content etc.). There is no over-processing involved in any way, unlike in many other videos out there. Photoshop has always intimidated me by lots of layers-processing-possibilities of blending etc. But you have explained it nicely, in limited steps; that I will definitely try this tutorial. Also a request that you post some lightroom tutorials, which can simplify some editing for us who are not so expert at editing.

[@EricMoore1000]

What a lovely tutorial, Sean. Thank you again.

[@makers_lab]

Thanks! Fantastic breakdown of contrast techniques Sean and music en pointe too!

[@MoniSeinSohn]

This is so awesome. I don't use Photoshop but Affinity Photo and it works equally well. Thank you very much for sharing this technique!

[@stevengall1218]

Thank you SO much Sean! Always love your videos but this one really really set the scene for what I’ve been missing in portrait shoots. Perfectly explained! Thank you!!!!

[@ixamedia6572]

What a thorough Tutorial. Very useful. Thank You!

[@gregoryinglis1199]

Superb technique. Will be watching this one several timess more. Thanks.

[@markl577]

When Sean posts a video, the coffee goes on & the feet go up! Great info once again. 👌🏼

[@seantuck]

Cheers mate:)

[@zecchinon]

Brilliant! Not that old processing tips usually found on internet/youtube! Thanks for sharing Sean!

[@scottwanstall3449]

Thanks Sean, this is a great insight into your workflow & something I'm going to try for myself. I generally use localised adjustments, prior to any macro editing, but this can be very time consuming. As always, your videos are well thought out, detailed & informative without seeming aloft or condescending!

[@miguelholguin123]

Thank you sharing. I learn something new every time you do a tutorial.

[@samo6434]

Brilliant as usual! Technique and explanations spot on. One refinement suggestion. When doing the B&W/Soft Light layer, set the blend mode and 25-35% opacity before making adjustments. You can then see exactly what effect it's having.

[@BrentODell]

Sean, I love your videos. The tutorials are great, and the more philosophical ones are very insightful.

[@JQ24]

I learned something new today. I've never used most of the settings shown in this video but I have now. Thank you so much!

[@dirk8980]

Thanks Sean! Love what you are doing. Hope you keep up this work. Best tutorials out here.

[@soumikroy4692]

This is just brilliant. You are a great teacher. I am glad that I have subscribed to your channel.

[@CrispyBacon11]

Sean. Thank you so much for this tutorial. Completely elevates the image.

[@chriskirby70]

Fantastic video. Just goes to show everyday is a school day. Learnt some great techniques and thoughts of processing images. Cheers Sean

[@alpabopo]

Very nice video. Educational and practical

[@mr8kc]

I really like this, thanks Sean. I'm really enjoying watching your videos and learning a huge amount.

[@Chalito5]

Great video. Love color on that first image.

[@sethmartin4308]

You’ve done a great job explaining why and how your work flow works. Well done! Thx very much

[@TomKaszuba]

A masterful clinic on adding contrast to your images. Dude. Thank you so much for this.

[@johnfishlock22132]

Really great videos Sean. Great channel where the focus is on the art and not all that gear crap.Love it.

[@michaelechteld]

Truly exccellent tutorial. Wonderfully subtle workflow that I will surely try out. thanks a lot!

[@MrEyshield21]

Is it just me... like saying "YES!" after the video cause definitely I learnt something!

[@Johnkostercreative]

What a phenomenal video. Thanks Sean!!

[@megatrack]

thank you for that very good tutorial...very useful and easy to replicate

[@digitale93]

Just amazing. Methodical way of sharping and adding contrast to photos. 👍🏽

[@rhyswynparry7894]

Many thanks for sharing this video. I found it really helpful and have given it a go. Really happy with the result too. I also used your skin tone video for the same image. Brilliant many thanks.

[@PhilHobgen]

At least 3 techniques here that I haven't tried. Thanks! Great vid.

[@videoyoplait]

I have started using this for food photography…just amazing what a difference it makes. Now I don’t want to touch any of the sliders in capture one that may affect contrast before making the edits in PS. The only thing differently I do is add smart filters before high pass and black and white layers so that I can make adjustments if my client find the image too contrasty for their taste. Thanks for a great tutorial!

[@MegaDwilkinson]

Beautiful work, brilliantly explained and demonstrated - thank you

[@nvvlad]

You are a very good teacher. Thank you for teaching me so many things. There are always new stuff to learn, always. Great video! Thank you for doing this, for being altruist.

[@pierre42600]

Merci Sean, I recently bump into your work and just wanted to say tks for your sharing and your beautiful vision !

[@santosalvarezleon3105]

This is a masterclass. I need my notebook to write everything down. Thank you so much.

[@sebastian_delanz]

Thanks a lot, Sean. It works pretty well for me. I'm using now my already edited jpeg files and it really makes a difference.

[@teixeirat]

Great video as always Sean. Thanks for taking your time to share this.