Adobe has a habit of taking features out of Photoshop and adding them to ACR and Lightroom. However, in the recent Photoshop 27.3 update, we received some features from the RAW processors in the form of adjustment layers. On the surface, that might not seem like a big deal, but I’m here for it!
In these two companion videos, I walk through how to use them intentionally rather than just slamming sliders around. Film grain is not digital noise. It comes from the negative, and in a real film print, it shows up mostly in the midtones and shadows, not in paper white. So if we add grain, it should fall off naturally in the highlights. I show you how to use Blend If to make that happen in a way that feels closer to a traditional print.
Clarity and Dehaze are similar. They can add depth, but they can also flatten an image if they are pushed too hard. When everything has the same contrast and edge detail, the image loses space. Our eyes read distance through softer contrast and atmosphere. So instead of using these tools to make everything louder, I show you how to use them to create separation between foreground and background.
In the Film Grain video, I reference the Blend If Panel.
►You can purchase the panel and course here.
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For Blake, it's all about the art and process synergy. He dives deep into complex topics and makes them easy to understand through his outside-the-box thinking so that you can use these tricks in your workflow today!
Blake, please can you check your Curves layers for me? Some thing odd has happened since the latest update.
Suppose I create an RGB Curves layer, modify the curve, and close it. Then I go back and change it. Now I have two curves, the old and the new. Why?
Not only that; suppose I create an R, G or B curve, modify it, close it and then go back to edit it. You can’t – the curve is frozen.
Is it only me or is there some subtle Adobe intent here?
I dont get a frozen curve, but I do get the double cuve thing. When I click on another layer and go back to the curve, it erases the extra curve, however.
Yes, I was wrong about the colour curves. Adobe are apparently aware of the RGB curve problem. It is in fact only a nuisance.
Great recap and demo.
I’ve just rewatched this. Thank you Blake.