Digital Asset Solutions • Adding Micro Contrast and Detail to Digital Images by Matt Anderson

Here's a quick tutorial on how to create better detail in your images. It's similar to the clarity function in the ACR RAW dialogue, without enhancing unwanted noise. This is a technique on how to do this type of effect on a fully editable layer in photoshop. The key is using a blending technique called "Linear Light". Linear Light Burns or dodges the colors by decreasing or increasing the brightness, depending on the blend color. If the blend color (light source) is lighter than 50% gray, the digital asset is lightened by increasing the brightness. If the blend color is darker than 50% gray, the digital asset is darkened by decreasing the brightness.Let me know if you find this helpful. I may share more goodies.



Final Notes:
a) If you inverse the final effect, you will have created a perfect skin tone fixer.
Gauss blur radius will hold the actual skin pore. Highpass will control the radius of the "blemish" removed. Typically .2-1.0 for blur, 5-25 pixel for High Pass blemish size.
b) If you use the above effect on skin (without inversing), you can create a similar effect to that of the incredible Andrej Dragan.

Keywords: Digital Asset Optimization, Digital Image Management, Sharpening in Photoshop, Adding Detail and Retouching in Photostop, Micro Contrast, Digital Media Enhancement, Digital Asset Retouch, Brand Retouch, Digital Media Services, Premedia Services, Matt Anderson