PS repair of exposed JPEG images

The challenge of JPEG image format

JPEG is the acronym for the Joint Image Expert Group (Joint Photographic Experts Group) that determines the format, and the suffix name is. jpg. The JPEG file format takes up much less space than the RAW image format and is suitable for photo use. But at the same time, JPEG file format is a lossy compression format, meaning that the reduction of image information compressed document size, each open and save (depending on the degree of compression at that time) will permanently reduce the image quality, therefore, the JPEG image format is not suitable for multiple editing work situation.

After understanding the basics of JPEG image formats, we also need to understand that in many cases we are using less-than-ideal JPEG images in our work, such as lack of exposure that results in insufficient image detail.

Of course, for experienced photographers who are familiar with post-processing, raw storage is used to facilitate later processing. But the raw image format takes up a lot of space, and now many times we use mobile phones, and cell phone shooting can only be stored in JPEG format. This means that sometimes you may get a JPEG image that disappoints you and is not easily processed later.

In addition, sometimes when you are doing some projects, the images you may provide to each other are also JPEG images, and the other person may have a headache for these less desirable JPEG images.

In fact, the superiority of JPEG image in space occupies to a great extent by sacrificing image quality, so the post-processing of JPEG image is not easy. However, in the face of powerful Photoshop, everything is possible. Next, we'll see how to use PS to save the less-exposed JPEG images.

1. Evaluation of images

First, we need to evaluate this image to see where the problem is. It is not difficult to find that the contrast of this image is quite high, the window behind the two people is almost white, and the bar area is almost in the shadow state. For the camera's light meter, this scene is the correct exposure: Both the bright and the dark parts have a relative average parameter value.

But in terms of people's visual effects, the light and dark parts are very important combinations of two parameters. In this PS tutorial, we will fix the details of the dark part to create a more complete image of the character.

The following image is the one that will be dealt with in this PS tutorial:

Our example, an exposed JPEG image, photographed by Marie Gardiner

2. Create a color scale adjustment layer

Open the image file in Photoshop and create a level adjustment layer, as shown in the following illustration.

Drag the slider to make the entire image variable. You may just need to adjust the gray slider (midtones) and drag it to the right to see the preview.

In a very dark image, you may need to adjust the hue and the dark part. To lighten the dark part, you need to move the black slider from the left to the center.

Color level adjustment layer to brighten the dark part

3. Select Mask level adjustment layer

At this point, you will find that the previous application has caused some elements of the entire screen to become too bright. But don't worry, when you create an adjustment layer, you also create a mask layer, and now we need to use it:

1, from the toolbar to select the brush;

2, the palette will be reset, back to the default state, with black as the main color;

3, set the hardness of the brush to 0 (this will create a soft side brush), as well as set the appropriate size of your work area brush;

4, reduce the opacity of the brush to 20%;

5, on the adjustment layer click on the Mask Layer button;

6, with the brush in the image on the area of light, highlighting the image details.

An effect chart processed with a soft black brush

When you add a color-level adjustment layer, you should be able to see some details of how to fix it back. If you make a mistake, just change the brush color to white and smear it over and over again in the area for effective control. Of course, for more effective control, it's a good idea to set the brush's opacity to a higher point.

4. Adjust the color of the layer with natural saturation

Next, we need to do a color fix on the spot where it's coming back. Create a new adjustment layer, this time a natural saturation adjustment layer.

Drag the slider until you see the color appear, but don't overdo it, or the color of the image will be distorted by excessive saturation.

Add a natural saturation adjustment layer

5. Adjust the contrast of the layer with the curve

If your image color effect is still bad, as the author of this example, you can create a curve adjustment layer to repair. Using dots to create a reverse "S"-shaped curve enhances the contrast of the image, as shown in the following illustration:

To increase contrast by adjusting a layer of curves

6. Fine-tune the image

Once you have applied the above adjustment layer, you can see the whole picture of the image of the changes visually, but to the visual effect of better, we can also make some fine-tuning. For example, select the layer you want to adjust, and then adjust the Opacity slider until you get the effect you want.

Final effect chart, shot by Marie Gardiner

Conclusion:

In fact, as long as you're willing to spend, PS can almost save all the JPEG images that failed. Although JPEG images do not retain as much image detail as raw, the JPEG image can be repaired to an ideal state by adjusting the layers with color bands, curves, natural saturation, and so on. Interested netizens, may wish to try their own.

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• PS Getting Started Tutorial