Stage 3 - Editing the Image (Example)

Make sure that you have the original image and NOT the duplicate selected. The duplicate will be used for reference; all edits will be applied to the original.

• Choose the New Layer Set option form either the Layer menu or via the Layer Palette.

• Name the Layer Set so that it relates to the media profile, e.g. Fuji Hunt SemiGloss

 

Layer Palette Menu

Each image will require its own specific set of edits such as a curves adjustment, hue/saturation, etc. The example shown here is curves edit and it should be applied via an Adjustment Layer.

• Select Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves.

 

 

The adjustment shown above simply darkens the 3/4 tones and lightens the 1/4 tones. The mid-tones are fixed.

My next edit was to increase the saturation of the reds. Again, an Adjustment Layer was used.

• Select Layer > New Adjustment Layer> Hue/Saturation.

 

Even increasing the saturation of reds by 25% wasn't sufficient in some areas, so I made a selection of those areas that still required adjustment. Remember that if you make a selection it is best to apply some feathering so that an abrupt edge is avoided.

 

 

A slight reduction in the shadows and a further increase in the 1/4 tones was sufficient to match the original with the duplicate.

 

 

The screen grab below shows the matched pair of images along with the three Adjustment Layers making up the Layer Set for "Fuji Hunt SemiGloss Paper" on my Epson 2100 printer.

 

 

Once we are satisfied that the edited original looks like the reference image (our unedited duplicate) we can save the original complete with the Layer Set. Remember the Layer Set contains ALL the edits necessary for printing on a specific media/ink/printer combination.

If we need to print the same image on a different printer or paper, it will be necessary to switch the above Layer Set off and create a new one for the new combination.

The main benefit of this method comes from using Adjustment Layers configured as Layer Sets. With Layer Sets we can maximise number of printer/ink/media combinations for any given image and yet only have a very small increase in file size. By way of example, I have images with up to four layer sets, each for a different media type or printer.

Stage 4 - Printing the Image

The final stage of the process is to make the print. Rather than repeat material that is already available elsewhere on this site I have simply provided the link to the relevant tutorial. For more details see the essay/tutorial - Managing Colour when Printing.