Tutorial Quick check for blown highlights using Photoshop

[Les McLean]

Les McLean submitted a new resource:

Quick check for blown highlights using Photoshop - Quick check for blown highlights using Photoshop

A quick way of checking if your image has any blown highlights (hot pixels) using the threshold command in PS/Elements.

I'm aware that most will be aware of this technique, but could be new to some.

An example is an image that I've just finished processing, and I'm not sure if some of the whites on the swan are a little hot.

For a quick check, go to 'Image....adjustments......threshold' on the menu bar....

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[pitkin2020]

Nice, thanks for this not only was this useful but i found loads of more useful items under the image tab so thanks very much.

Out of curiosity if the image is completely black when you raise the level to 255 does that mean there are no hotspots?? Sorry for the noob question

 

[Les McLean]

Nice, thanks for this not only was this useful but i found loads of more useful items under the image tab so thanks very much.

Out of curiosity if the image is completely black when you raise the level to 255 does that mean there are no hotspots?? Sorry for the noob question

yep

 

[glynh]

Once the adjustment is complete, how do you view the image rather than a black screen. Sorry if the answer is obvious.
Glyn

 

[Les McLean]

Once the adjustment is complete, how do you view the image rather than a black screen. Sorry if the answer is obvious.
Glyn

In the example image above (last one), there are a few white bits amongst the black (bottom right third), which shows the 'hot spots', to return to the original image, go to ...edit....undo threshold (CTRL-Z in windows) to establish exactly where the hot pixels are.

Hope this helps.

 

[TheAndyA]

Les, thanks for the tutorial. Is there a way to make '255' the permanent Threshold level in the setting?

 

[Les McLean]

Les, thanks for the tutorial. Is there a way to make '255' the permanent Threshold level in the setting?

I don't think you can make it permanent in the settings Andy (but I could be wrong), but it would be quite easy to set up a photoshop 'action' to automatically complete the whole process on demand.