Chapter 15

Performing Image Surgery

Chapter Lessons

• Delete unnecessary imagery• Correct colors in an image• Tweak an image

Understanding Realities

• Problem solving skills are required to evaluate and modify images– Identify color problems to correct– Determine which objects to keep and which to

delete– Modify objects to attain a specific look

Assessing a Situation

• Identify the tools available to modify images• Evaluate an image to determine the changes

required• Identify the best method to use to make the

changes

Delete Unnecessary Imagery Performing Surgery I• Use selection tools to create separate layers• Duplicate selected layers• Change the background color• Use eraser tools to eliminate unwanted imagery

Performing Surgery II

• Use eraser tools to remove dirt and smudges

• Add contrast or modify brightness• Use the Liquify feature to modify

selected areas• Apply filters

Surgery Results

AfterBefore

Layers Panel

Candles layer is copied before modifications are

made

Image Removal Methods

Removing Imagery

• Click the Magnetic Lasso tool on the Tools panel• Drag the pointer around the image • Click to close the selection when the “o” appears

on the pointer• Click Edit on the Menu bar, then click Clear

Removed Imagery

After

Before

Correct Colors in an Image

• To make color-correcting adjustments:– Click Image on the Menu bar– Point to Adjustments– Click the type of color adjustment required

Questions to Ask

• Before correcting colors in an image, ask the following questions:– What’s lacking from the image?– Is the problem composition or color-related?– Are colors washed out or vibrant?– Is color deficiency really a problem?– Will changing the colors make the image look

unnatural?

Correcting Colors

• Modify settings in the Color Balance dialog box• Modify settings in the Brightness/Contrast dialog

box

Hue/Saturation Settings in Adjustments Panel

Brightness/Contrast Settings in Adjustments Panel

Tweak an Image

• Use the Crop tool in the Tools panel

• Use cropped area settings to view how the image will appear after cropping

Cropping an Image Process

• Click the Crop tool on the Tools panel• Drag the pointer around the area to retain• Click the Commit current crop operation button

Cropped Area in an Image

Darker area will be deleted after cropping

Adding Layer Styles

• Apply styles usually applied to type layers, such as Drop Shadow and Inner Shadow to image layers

• Select the layer to modify, then click the Add a layer style button on the Layers panel

Style Added to a Layer

Bevel and Emboss style added