Removal of tonal discrepancies through frequency separation in Photoshop

In image editing, tonal banding, especially in gray tones, can be disturbing. With frequency separation, you have a powerful tool at your disposal to specifically resolve such issues. This guide shows you how to improve your images through careful editing.

Key Insights

• Identify and remove tonal banding.
• Use masks for targeted adjustments.
• Smooth out shiny spots to create an even skin tone.

Step-by-Step Guide

First, examine the images to identify where the tonal banding is present. If you only see these in the details, it’s time to take action. You often recognize the issues only when you bring the details back into view.

For the next step, it's important to display the details again. When the disturbing elements become more apparent, you can address them specifically. What you need to do now is to select a black brush to remove the affected areas.

Now you need a mask. Apply this to the detail level to work precisely. Choose a brush with around 50% opacity. Then go over the areas that bother you. It’s important to be gentle here to preserve the naturalness of the image.

Especially for skin that is very shiny or subjected to extreme lighting conditions, it can be worthwhile to slightly soften these areas as well. You can do this by accessing the detail level again. Set the brush opacity to about 20% and go over the affected areas to achieve a natural effect.

This type of editing ensures that the image remains lively while the disruptive elements are reduced. Often, extreme shiny spots on the skin are the cause of an unharmonious overall impression.

The goal here is to create a balance between light and shadow so that the image appears cohesive overall. It suffices to subtly soften the shiny spots to achieve the desired effect.

Particularly around the eye area, caution is advised. Here, it is often advisable to only go over the disturbing areas once to remove the unwanted shiny spot without destroying the skin's texture.

Summary – Effective Removal of Tonal Banding in Photoshop

By using masks and adjusted opacity with frequency separation, you can effectively control and remove tonal banding and distracting shiny spots. This creates harmonious image editing and enhances the quality of your photos.