I'd agree. I looked at a photo that I modified with levels, curves, and other features, and which took quite a while with my limited skills. Using only S/H the results were at least as good, if not a bit better, and took but a few minutes to achieve. I've used some masking or selections at times, as well.
Shel > [Original Message] > From: Rob Studdert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: 11/23/2004 9:19:11 PM > Subject: Re: OT Cool tips for PS SC RAW users > > On 23 Nov 2004 at 22:56, Paul Stenquist wrote: > > > Seriously, do you think Shadows/highlights does > > things that couldn't be done with levels, curves, and > > brightness/contrast, if one applied all the actions correctly? > > I think you could do it the the existing tool set (USM/Curves and actions) but > it would be long and involved. > > > I now at least test > > it against almost every shot. Sometimes I don't use it at all, but > > quite often I give something a minor nudge. For backlit shots and other > > contrasty situations, I will sometimes turn the handles hard. > > It sure is a cool tool, I it works well a lot of the time and I do agree the > global nature of the filter is much more pleasing to me, balance is well > preserver. However I do tend to use it with masking a little. > > For instance sometimes I'm trying to drag a person out of the shadows without > affecting the whole image balance. In this case I just switch to quick-masks, > then paint a rough mask using the brush tool set at 400px or so with a soft > edged circle. I then switch out of quick-masks, invert the mask and try the > highlights/shadows tool, usually works a treat.
