“Splitting the Sliders” in Photoshop
Oct 6th, 2007 by Leo A. Geis
Have you ignored a Photoshop capability simply on the presumption that it was extremely technical, confusing, and not worth the Learning Curve? Have you ever been backed into a corner and finally decided to try that capability only to learn that it was more powerful than you could imagine…and simple, too? Welcome to “Splitting the Sliders!”
“Adjusting the Sliders” and “Splitting the Sliders” restricts and incrementally distributes the effects of Blending Modes to particular Luminance Ranges. You have the ability to isolate that control to various Channels and even combine it with Layer Effects. For a more complete description of the capabilities, search your Photoshop Help (F1) for “Specify a Tonal Range for Blending Layers.”
Click the graphic for a larger image.
In this screen capture, a Curves Adjustment Layer has been added for Contrast. It is set to the Hard Light Blending Mode and its effect is moderated by setting Opacity at 25%. Yet, the Hard Light Blending Mode is capable of Clipping-in order to moderate it, we’re simply denying the effect to the Underlying Layer beginning at Luminance 190 and stopping at Underlying Layer Luminance 240 (see the red arrow). This isn’t mashing the Histogram of the Underlying Layer (capping it) at 240 as can be observed by the Histogram Window.
Press the “Alt” Key to control the separate halves of the sliders with your cursor. The algorithm to Control the Build or Fade between the two halves of each slider terminal is fixed, and that the practitioner doesn’t have control over it. However, I’m a control freak: if any .js wonks in the group can whip up a control for curving the effect in or out, please do (presuming Adobe’s gracious consent, of course)! It would make extremely wide splits more elegant.
Two other areas of interest:
- Notice the cavitation and spiking in the Histogram. This indicates partial destruction of the image. Nothing is free.
- Notice the Advanced Blending section of the Layer Style Dialogue Box. You have the option of subjecting your Layer Styles to Layer Masks. Try it, especially with a Duplicate Layer and Fill Opacity at “0″!
L