Gradient Maps and Apply Image

Mar

2015

l_plate Using a gradient layer and the Apply image command you can quickly remove color from an image. Very handy to get rid of that pesky human colour when you want a nice vampire pale. One nice Spike photo shoot - a bit too pinky orange though. We'll use this image in a more detailed lightening process in an upcoming post on using the Curves Adjustment layer. For now, though, use this quick and easy method to give a satisfying, less demanding result.

Apply a gradient map - black to white. Layer blend mode Normal, opacity 100%

Then select the Layer mask for this layer and go to Image - Apply Image

The dialogue box will have the current image as the Source. Tick invert and Preview and check the result on your image. You can, if you want untick invert, change the opacity or the blend. I left the settings as shown here. When you're happy tick okay.

The result. Still a little darker than I want and I've lost the blue in his eyes.

So, untick reverse for a little more color in shirt and background while getting a much lighter complexion and keeping those lovely baby blues.

You can reduce the opacity of the mask or the layer, mask out more of the image, for instance the shirt or background. Gives you a quick start to your project.