Trying Frequency Separation but going gray...

[SmileyJST]

I've just updated to the latest version of photoshop, 24.6.0 (22/06/23)

I'm trying to do frequency separation on some headshots but the texture layer is just turning gray without showing any detail.
These are the settings I was using 

In my layers section, I have the background at the bottom, then layer 1 (colour layer) and then layer 1 copy (texture layer) at the top.

Please help!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible taken at View > 100%? 

To which tutorial are you referring anyway? 

Why aren’t you using Smart Filters? 

[SmileyJST]

Is that better?

I am following this tutorial, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNxJ16NY4a8&t=307s
and what are smart filters? 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

what are smart filters? 

Smart Filters are Filers applied to a Smart Object; as far as I can tell most of the default Filters and Adjustments can be applied as Smart Filters. 

They remain editable – if you ever had to re-edit an image (especially years after its original creation) that can prove hugely beneficial. 

[SmileyJST]

Thank you very much!

[davescm · Accepted solution]

The source in apply image should be the blurred layer.

Try this step by step :

1. Make 2 duplicates of your image layer (Ctrl+J)
Name the lower copy - "Low frequency"
Name the upper copy - "High Frequency"

2. Select the Low frequency layer and use Filter Gaussian Blur (around 6.0)

3. Select the High frequency layer
Go to menu Image > Apply Image
Set the source layer to Low Frequency
Set the blending mode to Subtract
Set Scale to 2 *
Set offset to 128 *
Click OK

4. Change the blending mode of the high frequency layer to Linear Light

5. Now you can clone out blemishes on the high frequency layer and lighten or darken areas on the low frequency layer





* Note - the above steps are for 8 bit/channel images. For 16 bit/channel step 3 changes slightly

3. Select the High frequency layer
Go to menu Image > Apply Image
Set the source layer to Low Frequency
Check "Invert" next to channel
Set the blending mode to Add
Set Scale to 2
Set Offset to 0
Click OK

Now carry on with step 4 above

Dave

[SmileyJST]

It worked! Thank you so much!

[davescm]

You're welcome 🙂

Dave

[Yesenia0101]

I am having the same issue and followed your steps, both for 8bit and 16 bit jus to see which might work, my image is 16bit, but neighter method worked. It does not blur and as I increase the "gaussian blur," it turns grey/noisey grey if that makes sense?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post screenshots taken at View > 100% with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible? 

What is the Blend Mode of the Layer in question? 

[precise_intuition16B8]

I have a variation on this for a specific application that is not skin retouching. I have a repeatable tile texture of a fabric and I want to create a different color with the same texture. So I follow the steps to create a frequency separation but I Average the low frequency layer, essentially transferring all the texture to the high frequency layer. Now I can swap out the low layer with a solid color fill.

Yes, there are other more obvious ways to do this but this allows me to use an eyedropper to get my new color from a photo of the new fabric while using a known-good repeatable fabric texture.

[Lumigraphics]

My action starts by me manually selecting the Background layer. I show the blur dialog to set the radius but usually leave it at 6 px. This is for 16-bit images.

[Matthew249224202mcs]

I believe in the Apply Image Step for 16bit you need to select invert

[Lumigraphics]

I've been using this for years and it works perfectly.

[Lumigraphics]

This action works with a single Background layer. I'm not asking for help, I'm showing what a working action looks like.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Sorry! 

[Lumigraphics]

No worries, it gets confusing sometimes 😉

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post screenshots taken at View > 100% with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible?