This exercise provided a useful opportunity to practice using the channel mixer tool to achieve special effects.
Out of the options available in the exercise brief, I’ve decided to work on a landscape image (option 1). I was tasked to use the tools available in my software package to emphasise the depth by strengthening the visual effect of haze.
I first converted the colour image to black and white using the available ‘Grayscale’ option. I saved the image for future reference.
Picture 2: Default black and white image converted using ‘Grayscale’ option
I then created the second image which I converted to black and white by using the HSL/ Channel mixer conversion tool.
Picture 3 Manual conversion using HSL/ Channel mixer tool
This method produced a similar image but gave me slightly more control over the results and also additional options to choose from. Through this exercise I found that adjusting individual colour/ tonal sliders could have a strong effect on the appearance of natural phenomena, such as haze and fog.
For example, I found that the appearance of fog intensified when the volume of Blue was adjusted – more so then with any other colour.
Picture 4 Manual conversion – effect of adjusting Blue channel
Picture 5 Manual conversion – effect of adjusting colour temperature to 50000
Picture 6 Manual conversion, effect of adjusting colour temperature, version 2
This exercise helped me to develop better understanding of how the tones and colours interact and appear when channel mixer/ HSL tool is used.
