|
How To Use This Tutorial:
I recommend that you read the article it's entirety before trying to
apply the methods described, When you are ready to try the method on your
own image leave the article open so that you can flip back and forth between
the article and the image you are working on.
Note: You should do the tutorial titled "Typical
Basic Image Editing Workflow" before attempting this tutorial.
Overview:
Often, there are areas of an image that need enhancement or editing
while other areas of the image do not. For example, sometimes when you
apply sharpening, some parts of the image look good while other areas look
over-sharpened. One of the major strengths of Capture NX is the ability to
apply various steps such as noise reduction, sharpening, gaussian blur and
others selectively instead of simply applying them globally.
This tutorial will illustrate the steps used to apply selective noise
reduction, selective sharpening, and selective blur. Note:
Almost all editing steps can be applied either globally (to the entire
image) or selectively (to selected areas of the image.)
Step 1: Hide the pallets and adjust the image size to
your screen (de-clutter the work space):
In the "edit list" window click on NEW
STEP.
Note: Clicking on "New
Step" means the next adjustment you do will not affect the
previous adjustment. Some adjustment methods can be done in a way where
they work together with each step affecting the one previous step. Those
methods will be discussed in future tutorials. For now, we will click on
"New Step" for each new adjustment.
-
Hit the TAB KEY to hide the
pallets. Hiding the pallets make the screen uncluttered and easier to
work on the image. Note: hitting the
"tab key" again will return the pallet.
-
In the window that surround the image click on the
MAXIMIZE ICON Note:
the image will now be centered on your screen and unencumbered by the
window that surrounded it.
-
On the top menu bar click on
VIEW / FIT TO SCREEN The image fills your screen, the workspace is
uncluttered.
This photograph was taken by Mark Kruss http://www.pbase.
com/mkrauss
Step 2: Selective Noise Reduction :
On the top menu bar click on ADJUST
/ NOISE REDUCTION
-
While observing the areas where the noise is visible
(I used the grain in the background) move the INTENSITY SLIDER to the
right until the noise is reduced to the desired level. (I used a
fairly aggressive level of 25)
-
I left the default sharpness level of 5 as it was
-
Click on OK
-
Note: at this point the the
noise reduction has been applied to the entire image (globally)
-
Hit the tab key to make the pallets visible
-
Click on the (+) POSITIVE SELECTION BRUSH
-
Hit the tab key to hide the pallets.
-
When you select the positive selection brush the "Selection Brush
Option" menu will open. Use the top slider and adjust the brush to a
suitable size for the area of the image you are working on. Start with a
size suitable for applying the noise reduction to the grey background
of the image. I also used a suitable size for applying noise reduction
to the face but did not include the eyes, eyebrows or mouth.
-
Note: An effect of noise
reduction is that it decreases sharpness. I avoided the eyes, eyebrows
and mouth because I want to add sharpness in these areas.
-
HINT
: If you make a mistake with the brush
and go over an area you did not intend to edit you can reverse the
process by holding down the ALT key and repairing the area with the
brush. Note: Holding down the ALT key
when using the brush reverses the brushes action, the brush changes
from a + brush to a - brush.
Step 3: Selective Sharpening - Unsharp Mask :
-
Hit the TAB KEY to make the pallets visible.
-
In the "edit list" window click on NEW STEP
-
Hit the TAB KEY to hide the pallets
-
On the top menu bar click on ADJUST / FOCUS / UNSHARP
MASK
-
In the unsharp mask window enter the figures 50 for
intensity value and 3 for radius value. Note:
These are the values I found for this particular image that added
sharpness without making it look over-sharpened. Values may vary
significantly from one image to another. Trying different values until
it looks good to your eyes is a good approach.
-
Hit the tab key to make the pallets visible
-
Click on the ( +) POSITIVE SELECTION BRUSH
-
Hit the tab key to hide the pallets.
-
When you select the positive selection brush the "Selection Brush
Option" menu will open. Use the top slider and adjust the brush to a
suitable size for the area of the image you are working on. I only applied
sharpening to the eyes, the eyes and the eyebrows
Step 4: Selective Gaussian Blur:
-
Hit the TAB KEY to make the pallets visible.
-
In the "edit list" window click on NEW STEP
-
Hit the TAB KEY to hide the pallets
-
On the top menu bar click on ADJUST / FOCUS / GAUSSIAN
BLUR
-
For this image I adjusted the values to 3.1 for the
radius and 34% for the opacity. Note: Values may vary
significantly from one image to another. Trying different values until
it looks good to your eyes is a good approach.
-
Click OK
-
Hit the tab key to make the pallets visible
-
Click on the ( +) POSITIVE SELECTION BRUSH
-
Hit the tab key to hide the pallets.
-
When you select the positive selection brush the "Selection Brush
Option" menu will open.
-
Use the top slider and adjust the brush to a
suitable size for the area of the image you are working on. I applied
selective blur to the skin areas of the face, do not apply it
to the eyes, eyebrows or mouth area.
-
Apply gaussian blur to the grey background of the
image.
The screen capture below shows the before and after
results.
|