History Brush Lifting Exposure

[elisab6639005]

Hello!

When I am placing an overlay on my photo, I usually can use the history brush to remove parts of the overlay that are covering my subjects face. When I place the overlay on the photo and switch the layer from "normal" to "screen" as I am brushing off the the overlay it is also raising the exporsure in all the areas I am brushing. If the layer is in "normal" it brushes off correctly (this doesn't work because the overlays often have a background color that "screen" gets rid of). I have tried reseting all tools and that did not work. Please help!! Thank you!

I am using version 24.1.1 on an HP computer, using Windows.

[Trevor.Dennis]

Hi Elisa

From the way you describe it, that sounds like how you would expect Screen to work.  Open any image and copy the background layer (Ctrl J — Cmd J) and set the copy layer to screen.  It will show as much brighter.  If you give the copied layer a layer mask and fill the mask with black, it will hide the effect.  Paint with white and those areas will show brighter.

I make the above because using masks is usually a better way to go than using the History Brush.  With a layer mask you can undo what you have done and have full control to fine tune your effects.  If you show us a full res screen shot of your workspace showing image and layers panel, we might be able to suggest alternative workflows.

Good luck.