Hidden Power Dynamic Image Tutorial

The Dynamic Image tool makes image adjustment easy, allowing you to rescue some images that seem hopeless or just improve images that are already decent. All you have to do is open your image, open the Effects menu, double-click the Dynamic Image tool, and follow the instructions on screen. The instructions tell you how to make some simple corrections in several dialogs that customize corrections for your images.

The key to using the Dynamic Image tool is knowing what to do when each of the dialogs appear. While there are instructions on screen, examples of how to make the adjustments will help you know exactly what to do. Once you understand the adjustments, using the tool becomes pretty automatic.

We'll run through a complete correction here using the following image:


The Sample Image

This image is actually pretty interesting as is. However there is some haze that seems to be dulling the impact. The image could be somewhat more dynamic.

Download a copy of this image here to work along -- if you already have the Dynamic Image tool. If you don't have the tool, you can buy it now.

firefighter.tiff
   
Step 1



The dialog tells you just what to do.

After you click [Continue], the Levels dialog opens.

Move the center slider under the graph to the left until there is no more significant information. Significant information is where the graph is more than just a flat line.

The position of this adjustment will vary from image to image. Changes affect the highlight result; more movement to the left makes for stronger highlight change.
   
Step 2


Again a dialog tells you just what to do.

After you click [Continue], the Levels dialog opens.

Move the center slider under the graph to the right, this time, until there is no more significant information.

The position of this adjustment will vary from image to image. Changes affect the shadow result; more movement to the right makes for stronger shadow change.

   
Step 3



After you click [Continue], the Levels dialog opens.

Move the right (white) slider under the graph to the left to the point where there is significant information.

The position of this adjustment will vary from image to image. Your adjustment is affecting the midtone mask that helps confine changes in saturation and midtone adjustment.
   
Step 4



After you click [Continue], the Levels dialog opens.

Move the right (white) slider to the left until there is significant information in the graph; move the left (black) slider to the right until there is significant information in the graph.

The position of this adjustment will vary from image to image. In this image, you will probably only move the right (white) slider. Your adjustment is the first of two adjustments to the midtone range.
   
Step 5


After you click [Continue], the Hue/Saturation dialog opens.

Move the saturation slider to the rightwhile looking at your image on screen. The image will probably need some increased saturation to compensate for tonal adjustments.

The position of this adjustment will vary from image to image. The change will often be int the +10 to +50 range.
   
Step 6



After you click [Continue], the Levels dialog opens.

Move the center slider to the while looking at your image on screen. Move the slider to the right to darken the image and move the slider left to lighten it.

The position of this adjustment will vary from image to image. Your adjustment is the second of two adjustments to the midtone range.
   
Result

When you accept the changes in the final step, you are left with an image that should be quite a bit more dynamic than before. The layers palette will contain all of the following from the bottom up:

  • Background (the original layer)
  • Merged Source
  • Sharpen
  • Color Back In
  • Adjust Highlight
  • Adjust Shadows
  • Midtone Contrast Balance
  • Color Re-saturate
  • Midtone Tune

Turn off the view for the Merged Source layer to see Before and After.

While many images may need no further adjustment at this point, all of the adjustments here can be edited to your satisfaction. For example:

  • if the image seems over or under saturated, double-click the Hue/Saturation thumbnail on the Color Re-saturate layer and adjust the Saturation slider.
  • If the highlight intensity seems too strong, double-click the Levels thumbnail on the Adjust Highlight layer and move the center slider to the right (move it left to intensify).
  • If the shadow intensity seems too strong, double-click the Levels thumbnail on the Adjust Shadows layer and move the center slider to the left (move it right to intensify).
  • To increase local contrast, click on the Sharpen layer and increase the Opacity of the layer on the layers palette (decrease the local contrast by decreasing the Sharpen layer Opacity).
  • Lower the opacity of the Merged Source layer to blend the effect with the original (e.g., if you think it is too strong of a change for this image).

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Don't Have the Dynamic Image Tool?
 

If you don't have the Dynamic Image tool and you want to improve the quality of your images easily, you can order it for only $12. The Dynamic Image package comes with Hidden Power Dynamic Image and Hidden Power Basic Color Correction.

To order the Dynamic Image and Basic Color Correction package, click the Buy Now button. Payment of $12 can be made by PayPal using existing accounts or create a new account with your credit or debit card! Delivery will be by email, within 7 days.

 

Be sure to check out Hidden Power Mend, the Healing tool for Elements.

 
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