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I guess I'm rather like Rich, in that gradient maps had been something of a puzzle. I know how to apply the gradients and have produced one or two of my own, eg for signatures on simplified text layers or for backgrounds. But I have never inserted a gradient layer specifically to see what effects I could come up with. That was really useful to know. It was also interesting to see how you were able to overcome the problem of gradient mapping in Elements - hence the longer video to the corresponding one you did in PS CC2017. Many thanks yet again, George!
Hi John, hexadecimal numbering is the system used by computers for color going way back to the dawn of color graphics. Nothing that really needs to be understood now, all you really need is to know are the actual numbers. But since you asked here goes. Hexadecimal is math using base 16, instead of the common base 10 that we use every day. In base 10 numbers go from 0 to 9, in base 16 they go from 0 to f (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, a, b, c, d, e, f) This gives a possible 256 combinations for a 2 digit number, which is how many colors a basic RGB color monitor from the 80s could produce. Multiply this by the three different colors in RGB (256 per color, which is 256x256x256) which gives us over 16 million possible colors using the hexadecimal system. When you look at a hex color number it is 6 characters, the first two are for Red, the next two are for Green and the last 2 are for Blue. There are a couple of interesting things about the hexadecimal color system, if all of the characters are the same then you will have a shade of gray, 000000 is black, ffffff is white, 666666 is a mid tone gray. if the characters are in pairs then you have a "web safe" color, ee0022 is a web safe red slightly on the blue side (in other words moving into purples) ee is lots of red, 00 is no green, and 22 is a low blue value. But again, way too much information to really need. If you want to memorize anything that bit about gray tones is useful. If you are still curious and I have not bored you to death just do a search on Google and you will find way more info than you ever want or need on hexadecimal. George
Thank you very much that explains a lot, if a person is making their own gradients a starting place need stop be known like this. At least I know what the numbers mean now. I found a chart to go by so I might blow it up and use it next to my computer so I can use it on certain pictures. I am still trying to appreciate gradients though I need to see them on more applications of them before I can use them on a regular basis. thanks again big fan, John
HI Brian, easy to save a created gradient. When you are on the Gradient Tool look at the Options Panel. Click on the Down Arrow just to the right of the gradient thumbnail. In the Popup click on the little icon in the upper right corner (looks like 4 lines). Now just select Save Gradients and give it a name. That will save the current gradient set including your custom gradient. In the future to load back in this custom set click on Load Selections. George
Excellent video on Gradient Maps, I might finally understand and see the power of this. Let me just ask to see if we are on the same page. So a regular gradient just places the color combination in an order not taking in consideration the different values in the original picture. A gradient map starts with dark and matches those in the same range dark/shadow, then midrange, then bright/highlights (sort of like a paint by numbers picture when we were kids). Is this pretty close in a dumbed down sort of explantion? Thank you for all you do! Rich
Yep, that's it in a nut shell. A normal gradient is placed based upon the type of gradient selected, linear, radial etc. and the gradient moves from one end to the other across the image without taking the image into account. A gradient map "maps" the left side of the gradient onto the darks of the image and the right side of the gradient onto the lights, with the midtones falling in between as they are distributed in the image. Often times very useful. You can use this technique for some very advanced projects such as creating a "cinematic look" on an image, or to match skin tones between images. You can also use this to convert a color image to black and white by applying a black and white gradient map, then control the contrast by moving the sliders in the gradient. Now that I have this first project up on TH-cam I will be doing projects for those other uses, wanted to be able to refer back to this one if needed. George
The comment in the video about "Making something look like a negative" was where I really started to appreciate what was going on. So this whole video was very well though out. Thank you George! Rich
Hi Rich, here is the concept in a nut shell. Sample skin color values from the image you want to match, then use those skin color values to create a custom gradient and apply that custom gradient to the image you want to adjust. It works best if you have two layers, one is converted to Black and White for the gradient map and the other layer is underneath and is left original, you then can use the opacity setting for the gradient map layer to merge the color values into the original image for a seamless color match. George
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Excellent tutorial. You have explained and demonstrated very clearly and concisely removing some of the mystery of the gradient tool. Thanks.
You're welcome! The Gradient Map is a fun tool to play around with, great for converting B&W to Color.
George
It was great and thanks George. I am going to do that one hopefully today.
You're welcome Eileen,
George
I did it with the picture and adding the gradient map. It even turned out great. Thanks again.
: )
I guess I'm rather like Rich, in that gradient maps had been something of a puzzle. I know how to apply the gradients and have produced one or two of my own, eg for signatures on simplified text layers or for backgrounds. But I have never inserted a gradient layer specifically to see what effects I could come up with. That was really useful to know. It was also interesting to see how you were able to overcome the problem of gradient mapping in Elements - hence the longer video to the corresponding one you did in PS CC2017. Many thanks yet again, George!
You're welcome Peter, gradient mapping can be a lot of fun. I will be doing more with gradient maps this Fall.
George
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George, is there a link to get the hexadecimal numbering system you mentioned here? I have elements and this is all new to me.
Hi John, hexadecimal numbering is the system used by computers for color going way back to the dawn of color graphics. Nothing that really needs to be understood now, all you really need is to know are the actual numbers. But since you asked here goes. Hexadecimal is math using base 16, instead of the common base 10 that we use every day. In base 10 numbers go from 0 to 9, in base 16 they go from 0 to f (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, a, b, c, d, e, f) This gives a possible 256 combinations for a 2 digit number, which is how many colors a basic RGB color monitor from the 80s could produce. Multiply this by the three different colors in RGB (256 per color, which is 256x256x256) which gives us over 16 million possible colors using the hexadecimal system. When you look at a hex color number it is 6 characters, the first two are for Red, the next two are for Green and the last 2 are for Blue. There are a couple of interesting things about the hexadecimal color system, if all of the characters are the same then you will have a shade of gray, 000000 is black, ffffff is white, 666666 is a mid tone gray. if the characters are in pairs then you have a "web safe" color, ee0022 is a web safe red slightly on the blue side (in other words moving into purples) ee is lots of red, 00 is no green, and 22 is a low blue value. But again, way too much information to really need. If you want to memorize anything that bit about gray tones is useful. If you are still curious and I have not bored you to death just do a search on Google and you will find way more info than you ever want or need on hexadecimal.
George
Thank you very much that explains a lot, if a person is making their own gradients a starting place need stop be known like this. At least I know what the numbers mean now. I found a chart to go by so I might blow it up and use it next to my computer so I can use it on certain pictures. I am still trying to appreciate gradients though I need to see them on more applications of them before I can use them on a regular basis.
thanks again big fan, John
I as well found the tutorial excellent. I have a question; Can you save a created gradient so it can be used at a later date?
HI Brian, easy to save a created gradient. When you are on the Gradient Tool look at the Options Panel. Click on the Down Arrow just to the right of the gradient thumbnail. In the Popup click on the little icon in the upper right corner (looks like 4 lines). Now just select Save Gradients and give it a name. That will save the current gradient set including your custom gradient. In the future to load back in this custom set click on Load Selections.
George
Excellent video on Gradient Maps, I might finally understand and see the power of this. Let me just ask to see if we are on the same page. So a regular gradient just places the color combination in an order not taking in consideration the different values in the original picture. A gradient map starts with dark and matches those in the same range dark/shadow, then midrange, then bright/highlights (sort of like a paint by numbers picture when we were kids). Is this pretty close in a dumbed down sort of explantion?
Thank you for all you do!
Rich
Yep, that's it in a nut shell. A normal gradient is placed based upon the type of gradient selected, linear, radial etc. and the gradient moves from one end to the other across the image without taking the image into account. A gradient map "maps" the left side of the gradient onto the darks of the image and the right side of the gradient onto the lights, with the midtones falling in between as they are distributed in the image. Often times very useful. You can use this technique for some very advanced projects such as creating a "cinematic look" on an image, or to match skin tones between images. You can also use this to convert a color image to black and white by applying a black and white gradient map, then control the contrast by moving the sliders in the gradient. Now that I have this first project up on TH-cam I will be doing projects for those other uses, wanted to be able to refer back to this one if needed.
George
The comment in the video about "Making something look like a negative" was where I really started to appreciate what was going on. So this whole video was very well though out.
Thank you George!
Rich
Wow, even match up skin tones! Thats pretty amazing!
Rich
: )
Hi Rich, here is the concept in a nut shell. Sample skin color values from the image you want to match, then use those skin color values to create a custom gradient and apply that custom gradient to the image you want to adjust. It works best if you have two layers, one is converted to Black and White for the gradient map and the other layer is underneath and is left original, you then can use the opacity setting for the gradient map layer to merge the color values into the original image for a seamless color match.
George
nice
Thanks!
George
I cannot find the gradient numbers you talked about
Hi John, go to the download page listed in the description and look for the link named "PSE Gradient Map Gradient Settings"
George