How to get Sepia toning for an image using Curves in Photoshop CS6 (Non Destructive method)

Sepia tone means giving a brownish color to the black and white version of the image.It gives a somewhat antique look to the image.
There are  various ways of getting Sepia tone on an image.Here we shall discuss the method that is  non destructive which means that the method uses separate layers to apply the changes.It does not make any changes directly to the image.We will use a Curves... command to get the sepia toning.

                                                               Before               After
1) Opening the image in the Photoshop window
Open the colored image in Photoshop CS6 by using the menu File > Open or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + O .This will open a dialog box.Select the image by clicking on its name and click on Open button.

 


















We can see the image opened as Background layer in the Layers panel.

2)Converting the image to Black and White
After we see the image in Photoshop window we need to convert it to Black and White.There are various ways of converting it to Black and White.We shall select one of the Non Destructive methods of converting the color image to black and white.

3)Selecting the Black & White... option

  We shall use a Black and White adjustment layer for converting the color image to black and white.There are different ways of getting a Black and White adjustment layer.

a)We can select the menu Layer > New Adjustment Layer >Black and White.This will open a New Layer dialog box asking us to enter a name for the Black and White adjustment layer.By default Photoshop names it Black and White 1 .We can leave the name as it is or change it to something else.Then we will press the OK button .

b)The other way to select Black and White adjustment layer is to click on the half colored circle at the bottom of the layers panel on the right side of the photoshop window.

4) Black & White Properties panel
Now we can see a  Black & White Properties panel with sliders for Reds,Yellows,Greens,Cyans,
Blues and Magentas. We can observe that the color of the image is black and white.

                                                     

















5)Closing the Black & White Properties Panel
To hide the Black & White Properties panel click on the double pointing arrow on the top right of the properties panel.To exit out of the Black and White Properties panel click on the cross mark on the top right corner of the properties panel or click on the down pointing arrow at the top right corner of the properties panel and select close.
                                                   
 We can see a new layer with a half colored rectangle added just above the image layer in the layers panel on the right side of the photoshop window.
                                               

6)Selecting the Curves... option.

After the image has turned black and white we need to change its tone to Sepia.For doing this we need to open the Curves properties window.For this we need to select the Curves option.There are two ways of selecting the Curves option.

a) Select menu Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves...

We can see a dialog box asking the name of the new adjustment layer.By default Photoshop names it Curves 1.If we want we can type in any other name or we can leave it as Curves 1.Click on OK button after naming the layer.

b) The other way to get the Curves option is by clicking on the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon (half colored circle) in the bottom of the layers panel on the right side of the photoshop window and selecting Curves option.

7)Curves Properties panel
Now we can see a Curves Properties panel.For getting Sepia tone we need to increase the magenta and yellow by decreasing the green and blue respectively.

                                           
a)Increasing the magenta 
For increasing the magenta we need to select Green channel from the dropdown either by clicking on it or by using the keyboard shortcut Alt + 4.In the Green channel we need to pull down the curve slightly below the midline somewhere near the center of the grid.This will increase the magenta and decrease the green in the image.

b)Increasing the yellow
For increasing the yellow we need to select Blue channel from the dropdown either by clicking on it or by using the keyboard shortcut Alt + 4.In the Blue channel we need to pull down the curve slightly below the midline somewhere near the center of the grid.This will increase the yellow and decrease the blue in the image.

 

8)Closing the Curves Properties Panel
We can click on the double pointing arrow on the top right of the properties panel to exit out of the properties panel.

9)Layers panel

We can  see a new Curves adjustment layer with a half colored circle added in the layers panel on the right side of the photoshop window.By default this layer is selected.

10)Saving the image

After we are satisfied with the adjustments we will save the image by selecting the menu File > Save or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + S.This will open a dialog box where we can write the name of the image.After typing a name click on Save button.

How to darken an overexposed image using Brightness/Contrast in Photoshop CS6 (Non-Destructive)

There are  various ways of darkening an image.Here we shall discuss the method using Brightness/Contrast command.This method is non destructive which means that it does not make any changes to the image.Photoshop adds a new layer and applies the changes to it.

                                                               Before             After                                    

1) Opening the image in the Photoshop window

Open the image that is overexposed (means which is too bright) in Photoshop CS6 by using the menu File > Open or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+O.This will open a dialog box.Select the image by clicking on its name  and click Open button.

In the layers panel on the right side of the window we can see that photoshop opens the image as a background layer and names it Background by default.

2) Selecting the Brightness / Contrast option

After we see the image in Photoshop window we need to open the Brightness/Contrast properties window.For this we need to select the Brightness/Contrast option.There are two ways of selecting the Brightness/Contrast option.

a) Select menu Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast...

We can see a dialog box asking the name of the new adjustment layer.By default Photoshop names it Brightness/Contrast 1.If we want we can type in any other name or we can leave it as Brightness/Contrast 1.Click on OK button after naming the layer.

b) The other way to get the Brightness/Contrast option is by clicking on the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon (half colored circle) in the bottom of the layers panel and selecting Brightness/Contrast... option.

3)Brightness/Contrast Properties panel
Now we can see a Brightness/Contrast Properties panel where we can edit the brightness/contrast of the image by dragging the sliders to the left or right.

a)If we drag the Brightness slider towards the left the brightness of the image decreases. 

b)We can also adjust the contrast by moving its slider to the left or right.Moving the slider towards the left will decrease the contrast and moving it towards the right will increase the contrast.

c)To exit out of the Brightness/Contrast Properties panel click on the cross mark on the top right of the properties panel or click on the down pointing arrow on the top right corner of the properties panel and select Close.

 d)To hide the properties panel click on the double pointing arrow on the top right corner of the properties window .The properties panel will collapse to an icon.

e)We can also see a new layer with a half colored circle surrounded by little rays added just above the image layer in the layers panel on the right side of the photoshop window.

 6)Saving the image

After we are satisfied with the adjustments we will save the image by selecting the menu File > Save or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+S.This will open a dialog box where we can write the name of the image.After typing a name click on Save button.

How to get Sepia tone on a color image using Photo Filter in Photoshop CS6(Non Destructive)

Sepia tone means giving a brownish color to the black and white version of the image.It gives a somewhat antique look to the image.
There are  various ways of getting Sepia tone on an image.Here we shall discuss the method that is  non destructive which means that the method uses separate layers to apply the changes.It does not make any changes directly to the image.We will use a Photo Filter... command to get the sepia toning.

                                                              Before                After
1) Opening the image in the Photoshop window

Open the colored image in Photoshop CS6 by using the menu File > Open or by using the keyboard shortcut CTRL + O .This will open a dialog box.Select the image by clicking on its name and click on Open button.

We can see the image opened as Background layer in the Layers panel.
2)Converting the image to Black and White

After we see the image in Photoshop window we need to convert it to Black and White.There are various ways of converting it to Black and White.We shall select one of the Non Destructive methods of converting the color image to black and white.Let's use Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.

3) Selecting the Hue/Saturation... option

We need to open the Hue /Saturation  properties window.For this we need to select the  Hue/Saturation option.There are two ways of selecting the  Hue/Saturation option.

a) Select menu Layer > New Adjustment Layer >  Hue/Saturation...

                               

We can see a dialog box asking the name of the new adjustment layer.By default Photoshop names it  Hue/Saturation1.If we want we can type in any other name or we can leave it as  Hue/Saturation1.Click on OK button after naming the layer.

Dialog box to enter name

b) The other way to get the  Hue/Saturation option is by clicking on the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon (half colored circle) in the bottom of the layers panel and selecting Hue/Saturation... option.
                                                               

4) Hue/Saturation Properties panel

a)Setting saturation value to -100
Now we can see a  Hue/Saturation Properties panel with sliders for Hue,Saturation and Lightness.We need to drag the Saturation slider towards the leftmost corner till saturation value reaches -100.We can observe that the color of the image has become black and white.

b)Exiting out of Hue/Saturation Properties panel
To hide the Hue/Saturation Properties panel click on the double pointing arrow on the top right of the properties panel.To exit out of the Hue/Saturation Properties panel click on the cross mark on the top right corner of the properties panel or click on the down pointing arrow at the top right corner of the properties panel and select close.

                                                 

We can see a new layer with a thumbnail (rectangle divided into two parts and the upper half of the rectangle divided into three parts)added just above the image layer in the layers panel on the right side of the photoshop window.
                                      

5)Selecting the Photo Filter... option

After we see the image in Photoshop window we need to open the Photo Filter Properties Panel.For this we need to select the  Photo Filter option.There are two ways of selecting the  Photo Filter option.

a) Select menu Layer > New Adjustment Layer >  Photo Filter... 
                                    

                                               
b) The other way to get the Photo Filter option is by clicking on the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon (half colored circle) in the bottom of the layers panel and selecting Photo Filter... option.
                                        
4) Photo Filter Properties panel

Now we can see a Photo Filter Properties panel with a Radio Button showing Filter option selected and a Dropdown for selecting the type of Filter.We will click on the double arrow and select Sepia option.We will increase the Density to 100% by moving the Density slider towards the right.

We can see the Sepia effect on the image in the Photoshop Window.
                                                     
                                                                 Black and white      Sepia
To hide the Photo Filter Properties panel click on the double pointing arrow on the top right of the properties panel.To exit out of the Photo Filter Properties panel click on the cross mark on the top right corner of the properties panel or click on the down pointing arrow at the top right corner of the properties panel and select close.

 
We can see a new layer with a thumbnail (camera with a small circle on top of it)added above the Hue/Saturation layer in the layers panel on the right side of the photoshop window.

6)Saving the image

After we are satisfied with the adjustments we will save the image by selecting the menu File > Save or using the keyboard shortcut CTRL + S.This will open a dialog box where we can write the name of the image.After typing a name click on Save button.

How to add Sepia tone to a color image using Color Balance in Photoshop CS6 (Non Destructive)

Sepia tone means giving a brownish color to the black and white version of the image.It gives a somewhat antique look to the image.
There are  various ways of getting Sepia tone on an image.Here we shall discuss the method that uses Color Balance command to get sepia tone to an image .

                                                   Before                                 After
1) Opening the image in the Photoshop window

Open the colored image in Photoshop CS6 by using the menu File > Open or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + O .This will open a dialog box.Select the image by clicking on its name and click on Open button.

2)Converting the image to Black and White

After we see the image in Photoshop window we need to convert it to Black and White.There are various ways of converting it to Black and White.We shall select one of the Non Destructive methods of converting the color image to black and white.Let's use Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.

3) Selecting the Hue/Saturation... option

We need to open the Hue /Saturation  properties window.For this we need to select the  Hue/Saturation option.There are two ways of selecting the  Hue/Saturation option.

a) Select menu Layer > New Adjustment Layer >  Hue/Saturation...
                                       

We can see a dialog box asking the name of the new adjustment layer.By default Photoshop names it  Hue/Saturation1.If we want we can type in any other name or we can leave it as  Hue/Saturation1.Click on OK button after naming the layer.

                              

b) The other way to get the  Hue/Saturation option is by clicking on the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon (half colored circle) in the bottom of the layers panel and selecting  Hue/Saturation... option.

                                                       

4) Hue/Saturation Properties panel

a)Setting saturation value to -100
Now we can see a  Hue/Saturation Properties panel with sliders for Hue,Saturation and Lightness.We need to drag the Saturation slider towards the leftmost corner till saturation value reaches -100.We can observe that the color of the image has become black and white.
                                               

b)Exiting out of Hue/Saturation Properties panel
To hide the Hue/Saturation Properties panel click on the double pointing arrow on the top right of the properties panel.To exit out of the Hue/Saturation Properties panel click on the cross mark on the top right corner of the properties panel or click on the down pointing arrow at the top right corner of the properties panel and select close.

                                      

We can see a new layer with a thumbnail (rectangle divided into two parts and the upper half of the rectangle divided into three parts)added just above the image layer in the layers panel on the right side of the photoshop window.
                                               

The image has now turned to a Black and White image.
                                                                      

5)Selecting the Color Balance... Command 
There are two ways of selecting the  Color Balance option.

a) Select menu Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance...

We will get a Color Balance Dialog box where we can enter a name for the new color balance layer.By default Photoshop names it Color Balance 1.We can leave it as it is or type in a name .Press OK to exit out of the Color Balance dialog box.

b) The other way to get the Color Balance option is by clicking on the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon (half colored circle) in the bottom of the layers panel and selecting Color Balance option.

6)Color Balance Properties Panel

Now we can see a  Color Balance Properties panel with three sliders for different colors and a dropdown for Tone. 

a)First we have to select the Tone by clicking on the Dropdown .By default we see Midtones.So first lets adjust the midtones values.
To get a Light brownish effect we need to increase the red by dragging the first (cyan/red)slider slightly towards the red(means towards the right). Also we need to increase the yellow by dragging the third(yellow/blue) slider towards yellow(means towards the left).
While dragging the sliders we can see the change in the image .

b)If needed we can adjust the Highlights values by dragging the red and yellow sliders.For this first we have to select Highlights from the Tones dropdown menu.Then we have to add a little red and yellow to the image highlights.



















We observe that the color of the image has become somewhat brownish.
c)We have to experiment with the values a bit and see which of the values give the best look on the image.
d)To hide the Color Balance Properties panel click on the double pointing arrow on the top right of the properties panel.The Color Balance Properties panel will reduce to an icon.
To exit out of the Color Balance Properties panel click on the cross mark on the top right corner of the properties panel or click on the down pointing arrow at the top right corner of the properties panel and select close.
                                     

7)Layers Panel
We can see a new layer with a thumbnail (balance)added just above the image layer in the layers panel on the right side of the photoshop window.

 If we click on the eye in front of the Color Balance 1the eye disappears and the Color Balance 1 layer is invisible.We can see the image as black and white and not as Sepia.If we click on the same icon again the Color Balance layer becomes visible again and we can see the image with the Sepia effect.

8)Saving the image

After we are satisfied with the adjustments we will save the image by selecting the menu File > Save or using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + S.This will open a dialog box where we can write the name of the image.After typing a name click on Save button.