Smooth & Contrasty

[jarrod2323]

thanks to Denny Tang

1 Open an image to edit.

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2 Duplicate the current layer (Ctrl+J) and add a layer mask (Layer> Layer Mask> Reveal All).

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3 With the layer mask selected, use the Apply Image tool (Image> Apply Image) to apply the following properties:

Layer: Merged
Channel: RGB
Invert: Unchecked
Blending: Normal

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4 With the layer mask still selected, apply a Find Edges filter (Filter> Stylize> Find Edges).

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5 Unlink the current layer with its layer mask (Layer> Layer Mask> Unlink) then select the top layer (not its layer mask) by clicking on the left thumbnail in the Layers pallet.

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6 Apply a Median filter (Filter> Noise> Median) with a Radius that will blur most of the detail without losing the shape of the objects. For the 566x848 pixels image used for this tutorial, a Radius of 10 pixels. I normally use a 1-2 for pics on sigs.

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7 Select the layer mask and apply a slight Gaussian Blur (Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur) to remove the hard edges.

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8 Select the canvas (Ctrl+A), copy merged (Shift+Ctrl+A) and paste (Ctrl+V). Change the blending mode of the new layer to Overlay.

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9 With the top layer selected, Desaturate (Shift+Ctrl+U).


Finished: Here's an example: