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Changing hair color is often simply a matter of adding a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. However, when the hair needs substantial lightening, such as when converting from brunette to blond, the Selective Color command may be more effective.
When starting with blond, a simple “dye job” can be provided with a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. Check the Colorize box and adjust the sliders for the look you want.

The original is on the left. In the center, the Colorize box was checked in the Hue/Saturation dialog box and the sliders were set to Hue: 20, Saturation: 35, Lightness: -55. On the right, with Colorize checked, the sliders were set to Hue: 15, Saturation: 57, Lightness: -31.
Going from dark hair to light presents some additional challenges. Sometimes the Lightness slider of the Hue/Saturation adjustment is suitable. Other times you may have good luck with a Curves adjustment. But your best bet may be to head straight for a Selective Color adjustment layer.
When the Selective Color dialog box opens, click the radio button “Absolute” at the bottom, then at the top, switch the pop-up menu from Reds to Neutrals. Reduce the Cyan and Magenta content proportionally, then balance the appearance with the Yellow and Black sliders. Switch from Neutrals to Blacks and repeat.

The correct values depend both on your original image and your intent. The same original dark hair can produce a variety of lighter looks with this technique.

The original is on the left. The three adjustments are, from left to right: Neutrals -50/-50/0/-80 & Blacks -47/-42/-16/+25 Neutrals -50/-50/-40/-82 & Blacks -50/-50/-50/+50 Neutrals -50/-50/-56/-4 & Blacks -50/-50/+39/+63
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Corey shows you how to re-create the graphic effect from the new Bourne Legacy movie poster. With an extra twist!
Corey has a cool trick for creating a flare brush and see how one effect can lead to another.
See how you can add some subtle touches to give that green screen studio shot the Hollywood treatment.
Corey shows how to create reflective holiday ornaments using 3D in Photoshop.
If you have a multilayer composition and you
want to apply an effect to all the layers at once, don’t flatten the layers–use a composite layer instead. Hide the layers you want excluded, and press Shift-Command-Option-E (PC: Shift-Ctrl-Alt-E). A new layer will be created at the top containing a merged copy of all the visible layers.
Another option is to create a new layer at the top of the stack and make it active. Command-click (PC: Ctrl-click) each layer you want to include to make those layers active, as well. Press Option-Command-E (PC: Alt-Ctrl-E).
by Colin Smith
Dan said on — April 6, 2009 @ 12:16 am
woot thx