Shadows/Highlights, even an adjustment of 1 causes major changes to some photos

[jctangney]

On some images when editing, Auto Smart Fix, Auto Contrast, or even a setting on 1 in the Lighten Shadows command cause extreme changes to the image.I have seen this in multiple previous versions and still see it in version 14 (I have not upgraded to 15, will likely wait for 16). This image sort of highlights the problem as it is of sand dunes at Wight Sands NM, but I do see this problem enough that it is annoying. I am attaching an image that you can try this with.

My other Pet Peeve is Auto Smart Fix or Auto Contrast blowing highlights (again, on some images).

[hatstead]

Try an alternate approach:

In Editor, Expert tab, go to File>Open as, point to your file, and in the dialog go to Open as > Camera Raw in the drop-down

Reset your white point

Work the sliders, esp. Temperature, Tint, Contrast

Then, go to Open Image to open the file in conventional editor for other adjustments.

[jctangney]

That is an interesting way to approach avoiding the problem, and does appear to work. However two things:

1. I am trying to point out what I believe is a flaw in Photoshop Element as a change from 0 to 1 should not be as dramatic as it is. I strongly believe that it is an issue that should be fixed.
2. The tint etc was not off. These dunes are at White Sands National Monument and are made from gypsum, so they really are very pure white!

John

[hatstead]

Suggest that you contact Adobe corporate.

Feature Request/Bug Report Form

[jctangney]

That takes me to the "Community powered support for Photoshop Family", not what I would consider an actual support page. Is this forum or the "Community powered support for Photoshop Family", the only places to submit what I believe is a flaw in Photoshop Elements?

[John Waller]

Yes.

[jctangney]

Not sure what you mean by your "Yes".

[MichelBParis]

jctangney  wrote

Not sure what you mean by your "Yes".

I am not John Waller, but that means that you should really use the 'Photoshop family' link.

Which forum should I post to? (Feedback vs Forums)

This 'feedback' forum is monitored and you can be sure your post will be read. The present forum (user to user) is more a support one, it is also monitored by Adobe Staff.

You did well to post here first, because you need to give some weight to your post in the feedback forum. There you get answers and confirmation of the issue by other users (it must be reproducible to be dealt with). Posting in the feedback forum, you allow other users to vote for your post to give it higher priority. You did well also to provide a link to an image for which the issue is blatant. Just try with other source images and you'll see that the tool as well as the other auto levels or contrast commands do work as expected. First time I do see the problem. On the other hand, on your image, the result is blatantly false.

So, what's wrong with the tool or this image? Just look at the histogram. You only have midtones. The highlights and shadows don't have any values, they are empty. If you use commands based on stretching tones, like auto levels or the equalize filter, you are creating a dramatic increase in contrast. With the shadow/highlight command which only works on the tone areas where you don't have any pixels, the calculations applied on zero values are even worse.

In other words, you are using tools to work with pixels that are missing in your image... I would think the best Adobe could do would be to issue a warning to use other tools.

About alternative tools: the use of the 'open in ACR' module suggested by hatstead is not a 'workaround'. It's the power tool for advanced users. I am using it regularly and it has a lot of advantages (works internally in 16 bits and wide color Prophoto among others), and it solves the white balance problem easily and precisely.

Two other powerful tools for your image without the ACR module:

- A black to white gradient map adjustment layer in luminosity mode which works like a curves adjustment in any range of tones.

- The well hidden curves tool in the menu Enhance >> Adjust color >> Adjust color curves...

[MichelBParis]

The discussion is continued in the feedback forum:

Shadows/Highlights, even an adjustment of 1 causes major changes to some photos | Photoshop Family C...

I would recommend to use the menu Enhance >> Adjust color >> Adjust color curves... and choose 'Darken Highlight'.

[John Waller]

jctangney  wrote

Not sure what you mean by your "Yes".

Apologies for the brevity. You asked a closed question which invited a Yes or No answer.

My response was simply saying "Yes, this forum or the "Community powered support for Photoshop Family", are the only places to submit what you believe is a flaw in Photoshop Elements"