Adjusting print brightness with a luminosity mask


When prints block up the shadows, but there clearly are details to be found. Tony Kuyper suggested that a luminosity mask would help. Follow the link for more details.

  • Create a Darks-1 luminosity mask of the unsharpened image.
  • Sharpen the image using the normal sharpening method.
  • Create a Levels (or Curves) adjustment layer at the top of the layer stack above the sharpening layer(s).
  • Set the adjustment layer’s blend mode to Screen.
  • Apply the Darks-1 luminosity mask created in Step 1 as a layer mask to the adjustment layer.
  • Lower the layer’s opacity to between 25 and 50 percent.”
    Tony Kuyper writing for Good Light Journal: