{"id":981,"date":"2015-08-26T21:15:43","date_gmt":"2015-08-26T21:15:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kenkoskela.com\/blog\/?p=981"},"modified":"2015-08-26T21:15:43","modified_gmt":"2015-08-26T21:15:43","slug":"using-gradients-to-draw-attention-to-your-subject","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kenkoskela.com\/blog\/using-gradients-to-draw-attention-to-your-subject\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Gradients to Draw Attention to Your Subject"},"content":{"rendered":"

I frequently use the gradient tool in Lightroom and Photoshop to draw attention to the subject of my photograph. Gradients are extremely useful because they can help create gradual transitions between adjusted and non-adjusted areas. This blog won\u2019t be a comprehensive look at gradients, but simply a demonstration of how I use them for one particular purpose. This blog assumes that you have a basic knowledge of either Lightroom or Photoshop. With those disclaimers, let\u2019s get started with a quick description of what a gradient is.<\/p>\n

For our purposes, a gradient is the gradual feathering of whatever adjustment is being made to the image. There are different types of gradients, but the one I use is the most straightforward. At the start of the gradient, 100% of the adjustment is applied, while at the end 0% is applied. There is an even feathering of the adjustment between start and end. <\/p>\n

This will be better illustrated using an example. Here are before and after pictures to show you how I use a gradient to draw attention to my subject by darkening the outer areas of the image.<\/p>\n

Original Image<\/em>
\n

\"Carnival<\/a>
Carnival model in an orange costume by pillars<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Image after darkening the outer parts of the image using 3 gradients<\/em>
\n

\"Carnival<\/a>
Carnival model in an orange costume by pillars<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

For some of you, you may need to look a few times to see the effect. Notice that the transition from darkened to non-darkened areas is smooth. Here is how to create this effect in both Lightroom and Photoshop, starting with Lightroom<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

1.\tFirst click on the gradient tool (pictured below). This will bring up the local adjustment menu. <\/p>\n

\"Lightroom<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Lightroom<\/a><\/p>\n

2.\tAdjust the exposure slider left, as in the image below.<\/p>\n

\"Exposure<\/a><\/p>\n

3.\tThen drag the gradient from somewhere outside the image towards the subject. I usually overlap the gradient with the subject because the effect is hardly applied as you get to the center.<\/p>\n

4.\tFine-tune the adjustment using the exposure slider. Generally, you don\u2019t want to go too obvious with the adjustment.<\/p>\n

5.\tHit \u201cNew\u201d at the top of the menu and then repeat the adjustment from other sides and angles if you want. In this case, I\u2019ve used three gradients, including from the right side, left side (but angled upward) and top left corner.<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a><\/p>\n

For Photoshop<\/strong>, below is one way among many to get the same basic effect.<\/p>\n

1.\tCreate a curves adjustment layer.<\/p>\n

2.\tClick on the middle of the curve and drag the curve down to darken the whole image.<\/p>\n

\"Photoshop<\/a><\/p>\n

3.\tClick on the gradient tool button (pictured below)<\/p>\n

\"Photoshop<\/a><\/p>\n

4.\tMake sure your foreground color is set to white and your background color is set to black, as in the picture below. Hitting the letter \u201cd\u201d on the keyboard should re-set the foreground\/background colors to these default settings. <\/p>\n

\"Photoshop<\/a><\/p>\n

5.\tThen, make sure the layer mask is active by clicking on it and drag the cursor from outside the image towards the subject. This will result in a feathered mask.<\/p>\n

6.\tAdjust the opacity of the curves layer until you get the desired effect.<\/p>\n

\"Photoshop<\/a><\/p>\n

You might ask whether you can accomplish the same thing by creating a vignette. With a vignette, you have less control because it is a single adjustment rather than several adjustments from multiple sides, each controlled independently. <\/p>\n

Lastly, you can use the same gradient techniques with a variety of adjustments, like contrast, saturation and a color fill layer, among others. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I frequently use the gradient tool in Lightroom and Photoshop to draw attention to the subject of my photograph. Gradients are extremely useful because they can help create gradual transitions between adjusted and non-adjusted areas. This blog won\u2019t be a comprehensive look at gradients, but simply a demonstration of how I use them for one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-processing-tips"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t