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jb512512
Participant
July 23, 2018
Question

Radial Gradient tool in Lightroom is not the same in Elements

  • July 23, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 332 views

I bought a copy of Photoshop Elements and I use it in Expert Mode (because the other modes assume to know how I should edit my photos).  But I keep getting emails about Lightroom (which isn't helpful at all because they are completely different programs...).

Basically, I want to do this in Elements:  Lighten and darken different parts of a photo

The link is for Lightroom, but I want to do the same thing in Elements.  however the Radial Gradient tool in Elements doesn't act like the Lightroom counterpart.

Any way I can achieve this effect in Elements?  I've already tried using the selection tool but the result looks chopped and unnatural (even after using anti-alias there is still a noticeable edge to the effect).  Lastly, I downloaded the example pic from the above article. So I'm using that for practice.

(Also, I'm using Windows 10 - if that makes a difference.)

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    MichelBParis
    MichelBParis
    Legend
    July 23, 2018

    Lightroom is not a pixel editor. The radial gradient tool in Lightroom is a way to introduce some ability to achieve some local editing which any pixel editor performs much better than Lightroom. In any pixel editor like Elements or Photoshop, you use layers and masks or powerful tools to 'dodge' and 'burn' for instance. You never use the radial gradient tool for that purpose. Unfortunately, if you don't master using layers, blend modes and masks, you have to use the right tools in the tool palette.

    My suggestion:  download the pdf help file for more guidance and ask here for more targetted advice.

    J
    jb512512Author
    Participant
    July 24, 2018

    Thanks for the clarification.  I've used photoshop for a long time, with layers, but I haven't done these types of advanced techniques.  I still have a lot to learn, it seems!

    Much obliged for the response.  (Both you and hatstead.)

    Cheers!

    hatstead
    hatstead
    Inspiring
    July 23, 2018

    jb512512  wrote

    I've already tried using the selection tool but the result looks chopped and unnatural (even after using anti-alias there is still a noticeable edge to the effect). 

    Have you feathered the selection edges?

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