Table of contents

• 
  
  
• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
• Step 5
• Step 6
• Step 7
• Step 8
• Step 9
• Step 10
• 
  

Step 1

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Original image

First:
Do only work with copies. With a copy of an image. It is too easy to overwrite the raw image, to reformat the SD card of your camera and to delete the trash. In addition you should only work with a copy of a layer. First, you can see any changes with one click. Second you can undo every change with one click instead typing cmd-z too many times. Third, this way it is very easy to save variations.

Now lets get started…

Step 2

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Layers step 2

1. Duplicate the background layer (original image): Menu > Layer > Duplicate layer
2. Select 'Overlay'
3. Adjust opacity to 50% (this may vary depending on the image. But never use 100%)

Step 3

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Exposure dialoge

4. For this layer adjust the exposure (Menu > Image > Exposure)

Hint

In case you use Elements or any other application, please use the 'Levels' tool and adjust the middles and heights. Don’t use ‘Brightness and Contrast’!

Step 4

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Monochrome filter dialoge

5. Color this layer in brown – especially the darker parts and less the lighter parts. Select the desired color and use the 'Monochrome' filter (Menu > Filter > Color > Monochrome)

Hint

In case you use Photoshop please use the 'Photo Filter' and select 'Preserve Luminosity'.

Step 5

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The image after step 4

6. Reduce all layers to one (Menu > Layer)
7. Make a copy of the background layer

Step 6

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Sharpen Lumincane dialoge

8. Sharp the lighter parts of the selected layer-copy. Don’t be squeamish. You can fine tune the result during the next step.
9. Select 'Screen' for the 'Blending Mode'
10. Select 50% opacity (this may vary depending on the image)

Hint

In case you use Photoshop please use 'Smart Sharpen' and just use it for the light part. In case you use another tool, duplicate the layer and use the contrast tool only on the light parts, then sharpen these parts and finally use the opacity to blend both layers.

Step 7

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Image after step 7

11. Duplicate the layer with blending mode 'Screen' selected
12. Decolorize the layer-copy (Menu > Image > Decolorize)

Hint

In case you use Photoshop you can optimize the result by using the 'Black-White' dialog.

Step 8

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Image after step 8

13. Reduce all layers to one
14. Make a copy of the background layer

Step 9

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Noise filter dialoge

15. On the layer-copy (with blending mode 'Normal') apply the 'Noise filter'. Add just a little bit of noise.

Hint

Add noise only to the final image resolution. In case you want to provide the image in different sizes/ resolutions add this step to each image separately.

Step 10

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Final image

16. Finally reduce all layers to one and enjoy the result…