Finishing Touches

I normally like to use Photoshop to save an otherwise hopeless photo, or change or combine photos so the result is something completely different.  But sometimes the photo is fine and all I think the photo needs are a few finishing touches.  Below are 3 techniques I frequently use.  All are used in the photo above.  

Browntone:

There are lots of ways to achieve this effect in Photoshop, but this one is my favorite.  

1. Duplicate the background layer, command-J (PC:Option-J)

2. Desaturate the layer, Shift-Command-U (PC: Shift-Option-U)

3. Colorize the layer with Hue/Saturation, press Command-U (PC: Shift-U) , check the Colorize Box, set the Hue Value  to 38 & Saturation Value to 15, click OK

Soften a Black & White or Browntone Photo:

1. Select the layer you want to soften

2. Press Command-L (PC: Option-L) to bring up the Levels Dialogue Box, move the middle slider value from 1.00 to 1.30

Glow

1. Duplicate the background layer, command-J (PC:Option-J)

2.  Go to the Filter menu and choose Blur>Gaussian Blur,  set the Radius to 20 pixles and press OK. 

3. In the Layers Palette change the layer from normal to overlay.  Then adjust the opacity.

I use this effect to bring back a little color after I have desaturated a photo.  It gives an old quality to the photo, which I like.   

*There are more ways to achieve the effects above in Photoshop, but what I have listed above are my main & favorite methods. 

Original Photo