Comments on: How to Pop Color Selectively Using Channel Mixers and Layer Masks in Photoshop

By: TwitterBackgrounds

TwitterBackgrounds — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:18:31 +0000

Great article Helped me understand a lot and it is even better for beginners. Thanks for sharing this.

By: Val

Val — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:22:18 +0000

Thanks for this tutorial. What would be the advantage of using the channel mixer and layer masks over Selective Color with a layer mask for instance, or just saturation with a layer mask to paint in only what you want?
Thanks.
Val

By: kistabill

kistabill — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:19:04 +0000

I’ve used this technique with Paint Shop Pro occasionally and it really does give images that “pop”. Just be careful not to overdo it though or your shots will all get that garish fare-ground look.

By: joe

joe — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:01:38 +0000

This method works well, but I’m wondering why it’s any better than simply boosting saturation in an adjustment layer and masking as needed? Since this method involves boosting all three channels in equal amounts, isn’t that exactly the same as just boosting the overall saturation? If it is exactly the same, why go through the extra steps of playing with channels?

Also, I’ve seen many tutorials that suggest converting to lab mode first for boosts in color of this kind. Anybody have an opinion on the advantages or disadvantages of each method?

Thanks!

By: Marcus Wattz

Marcus Wattz — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:13:33 +0000

Hi, I found this post really interesting! I prefer to use Capture NX 2 when utilizing this method for “Popping Colors”. The great thing about NX 2 is once you select the “Color Balance” channel in NX2, the opacity and mask blending is all right there within that adjustment rather than creating layers.

By: lisa

lisa — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:05:13 +0000

love this! very helpful! Thanks Jodi

By: Wendy Mayo

Wendy Mayo — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:36:48 +0000

I use both Lightroom and Photoshop for my post processing. I do my selections, exposure, and white balance in Lightroom, then I use Photoshop for my color pop, eyes, teeth, skin, etc. I have ALL of Jodi’s actions. Even though I know how to do the editing without them, the actions make my workflow so much easier and faster.

Thanks Jodi, for this great post. You rock!

By: Milosh Kosanovich

Milosh Kosanovich — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:35:31 +0000

Thanks for the great tip! I have some carnival pictures that didn’t quite make it. I tried all kind of adjustments, and never really got them as I envisioned. Using your technique I popped up the colors like orange, red and blue on the ride canopies and signs and they look great.

It’s great for affecting the color and not the brightness of the individual pieces.

By: Silverzz

Silverzz — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:43:47 +0000

Nice tutorial, just tried it myself then and it works great.

By: John H

John H — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:25:01 +0000

Interesting article

I’m swapping from Aperture to Lightroom at the moment….its trickier than I thought to answer a prev note higher up this thread.
Hope you like my blog
http://seeallaboutit.blogspot.com/