As usual, whenever I do a tutorial I get a load of questions about 'why jpg'? 2 reasons. First: for all pro shoots I use RAW files, as I did in both these cases, but all RAW processing is done in Lightroom before I bring anything into Photoshop, and this is where I recover any information I need. Second: I know the editing elitists among you will insist on editing 16 bit TIFF files in Photoshop, but to be honest I almost never need that much information when I've exposed correctly in the first place. The only time TIFF's are necessary in my work is to prevent banding on a graduated background, but for all my other work jpg is absolutely fine. You're welcome to disagree of course and generate huge files for your own work, but this is my process and it serves me just fine while keeping file sizes down across the board. That's all I'll say about it.

Honestly, your photography tutorials are by far the best I've seen on KZfaq. Your voice is calm and soothing and your ability to explain complex concepts is captivating! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

When Sean drops a vid....I drop everything and pay attention.

Your tutorials are the best on KZfaq.. So much value and worth spending time on... These are like RAW files of KZfaq tutorials

I usually hide in the shadows and just learn from tutorials but today, Sean Tucker, you have inspired me to actually login and post a comment. I would like to thank you for being so direct, so full of information, so real and above all, not formulaic. Your presentation is so direct and you approach so much in line with where I want to be with my own photography that I needed to take an occasional pause, step back, breathe and watch again. Thank you for some incredible insights, not only in this tutorial but your channel in general. Inspirational!

This video has helped me so much thank you for your in depth tutorial!! I always struggle with contrast but your methods here have helped me understand it in a way that makes a lot of sense. Hands down your channel is my favorite. The world needs more photographers/artists like you so keep up the great videos and I hope to watch along your freelance journey for years to come!

Been using Photoshop for more than 15 years now and I'm still discovering new stuff. Thanks a lot Sean for the quality of your work.

love your tutorials because i don’t feel like someone is giving me a shortcut to better pictures. i feel like i’m learning what does what, and how to apply it in my own cases, as well as see how wonderful they work in your case.

You're killing me. I've watched 12 minutes, and I already feel like I have homework for the next 5 years. Really appreciate your generosity with your expertise.

The mix of deeply technical step by step combined with the philosophy and personal experience is very much appreciated.

It’s almost disheartening to watch your tutorials because I realize how much I have to learn. Thanks for your time and quality content

I have to say that I love your presentation style. Not ostentatious, not condescending. Very informative and creative. And I love the subtle nature of the enhancements you add to achieve the final product. You are very clear in your presentation and I can't wait to apply some of these techniques to my photos. Keep up the great work!

Thanks Sean. Always a good day when you release a video.

Sean, I've been following you for several months and have to say THANK YOU for the content you put together. I get excited everytime you post as we have come to expect exceptional quality.

That was hypnotic! I am amazed by the final effect and how delicate yet powerful those changes are. Mind blown. Teach us Master

Thank you, Sean. I learned a bunch on the first watch, and have already been back twice as I've begun to experiment with your techniques. They have given me more control over images, and allowed far more subtlety than I've been able to reach alone. Thanks!

Beautifully done per usual. Excited to try these out.

Watching this on a 65 inch TV and I can see how beautiful the final images look and how much they pop out! Amazing work flow. Thank you very much.

an excellent tutorial Sean an interesting insight into using the power of photoshop

Sean I've never thanked you for your content. I know it's kind of weird to have a favorite photographer, but you're my favorite photographer. From the quality to of your photos to the way you carry yourself. You're one respectable human being.

Brilliant once again, these videos are really helping make the big jump from editing purely in LR to the daunting move to PS. The way I learn needs video, a proper tutor rather than books and you have a way of explaining which just makes sense. Thank you!

Man your tutorials are not only incredibly useful but also enjoyable.

Hands down one of the most useful and best explained Photoshop tutorials I've watched (and I've watched a lot) Explains the whys really well.

I learned something new today. I've never used most of the settings shown in this video but I have now. Thank you so much!

Crikey - that must be the most informative photoshop tutorial I've come across on KZfaq. Excellent doesn't even begin to cover it - simply amazing. Thanks a heap!

Again, one of my favorite channels out there. Love this stuff and I’m not even a photographer! 🤘🏻

I initially logged on to ask the .jpg question, so thank you for anticipating that. I found this tutorial to be very helpful, and motivating in that it forces me to reevaluate my process and workflow. Thank you for that too.

How in the world could THIS amazing video get eight downvotes? Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is literally EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for, and I can’t wait to apply it to my next batch of shots. Great, simple, effective advice that actually works. Keep ‘em comin’ son, you’re doin’ fine!

Thank you again Sean. Your generosity and talent are lovely gifts to us all.

This B&W layer to add contrast based on specific colours - that's a really great tip! We can do this in LR without layers, but I would never have thought that it could be accomplished this way in PS. I think I should play with it and look if it can do more for me. Thanks for sharing! *Edit:* The B&W adjustment layer (set to Soft Light) can be used instead, much more intuitive.

One of the best videos on contrast that I ever seen plus you explained why you did each step which is perfect for a beginner like me. I learnt so much. Great work!

Probably the best photography tutorial I've ever watched. Thank you!

Thank you, Sean, for all your hard work on all videos, this content is just pure gold

Thanks for taking the time out to make this video Sean, i cant wait to give these methods a try.

Sean. I almost never leave comments on videos, but I couldn't help myself this time. Your approach to photography is so classy, and your creative taste is timeless. I've learned so much from videos like these and I can't thank you enough

Finding your tutorials incredibly helpful, so clearly narrated and easy to follow, thank you

Absolutely wonderful technique for fine control over contrast. Can't wait to try it. Thank you so much!

Thanks Sean, this is a great insight into your workflow & something I'm going to try for myself. I generally use localised adjustments, prior to any macro editing, but this can be very time consuming. As always, your videos are well thought out, detailed & informative without seeming aloft or condescending!

Tremendous! Thank you, Sean. I tried this technique after watching this video, and I am now a true believer. Fantastic! One of the most useful PS conrast/toning videos I've ever seen.

Maestro! Thanks so much for these tutorials.

Sean Tucker... you, Sir are my best friend in the whole wide world (in my head)😘. Thank you so much for all your help.

Sean, this is a fantastic video - something I've needed to see for a good while. Really useful that you've done a colour and b&w treatment. I'll be returning to this one time and time again. Thanks for sharing.

This is a masterclass. I need my notebook to write everything down. Thank you so much.

Great video, a lot of tutorials I watch seem to make life more complicated and I struggle to replicate any of the methods. This, breaks it down and makes it simple. It also makes me realise how much I have to learn. Chapeau.

Holy crap, that contrast boost is at a whole other level.

Thank you. I struggle with PS and tried this on two images and was able to follow your instructions no problem. This video will be used a lot until I get used to the settings. Thank you again.

Merci Sean, I recently bump into your work and just wanted to say tks for your sharing and your beautiful vision !

Best portrait post work tutorial I’ve seen on KZfaq. That first photo was amazing. If you get bored (lol) I’d love to see some info on your strobe and ambient setup you used for that shot. What an incredible portrait.

Finding the right contrast is a pain in the ass and you have just made our life much easier .... Many many many thanks!!!

Great video, really shows the power of photoshop when you know what you’re doing with it. Very well explained and all the effect each layer has. Thanks very much for putting the effort in to making these tutorials Sean.

Beautiful work, brilliantly explained and demonstrated - thank you

LOVE these lessons of yours. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. Inspiring!

Found a good tip ... when you create your high pass layer ... convert it to a smart object first so you can return and change the amount of the high pass at any time! I found this tip after I would start all over again! Thanks Sean! This video has made look at how I edit my images ... and now they are so much better! Keep the content coming!

A masterful clinic on adding contrast to your images. Dude. Thank you so much for this.

Sean, I always like it that you keep things minimalistic (The image processing, the video content etc.). There is no over-processing involved in any way, unlike in many other videos out there. Photoshop has always intimidated me by lots of layers-processing-possibilities of blending etc. But you have explained it nicely, in limited steps; that I will definitely try this tutorial. Also a request that you post some lightroom tutorials, which can simplify some editing for us who are not so expert at editing.

That's a ripper workflow! Interesting to go from the detail to the global edits - that was counterintuitive to me but I see the sense in it now you've showed it. I'm going to use all of those now, as you propose. Thanks so much!

I find trying to learn all these softwares overwhelming and then don't even get started, after watching this tutorial I believe I could create a b&w images.This was so easy to follow, well defined and at just the right speed. First tutorial where , because of the method of teaching, I was able to get it! Thanks will follow.

This is the bet tutorial so far regarding the contrast . I watch this tutorial even after ages just to recollect the correct procedure . So many videos so far in the youtube but my mind prefer to watch this video.

I stumbled in through the rear gate, entering the editing suite from a side door. As my eyes became accustomed to the subdued lighting.I noticed a Welcome Trailer. Surprised and intrigued, I let the next video roll, "Contrast". Twenty years a Photoshop junkie, many where I felt I was faking it and compiling 'recipes' that I didn't really understand. Then, maybe ten years ago, I discovered the books of Martin Evening and it changed everything. A door was flung wide. Today, I have the feeling I've found another door, that I wasn't really even looking for to be honest. I use several of the techniques shown here, but the layered procedure and the addition of the opposite color tweak alone is absolutely stunning and will be put to use immediately. And with a good background already, I'm confident I will find much more here than I even now can imagine. Subbed without hesitation looking forward to coming along for the ride. Cheers

One of the best youtube photography channels out there. Great video as usual. Thanks.

Thank you for this! I haven't taken the time that I really need to learn and become proficient in Photoshop. There is so much to it. This is an excellent tutorial!

Loved the video. You have explained everything so simply. Just one video and you have a fan in me. Can't wait to dive into the rest of your work!

Thank you, Sean, I used your 5 step contrast on one of my landscape shots, and it works very well in maintaining fine detail in bright clouds. Also, there is a quality to the process that comes across as a clear and clean look.

At least 3 techniques here that I haven't tried. Thanks! Great vid.

This was amazingly informative. Thank you Sean! I had no idea you could create so much controlled 'pop' without going overboard. 10/10 video for such a niche tutorial. Cheers!

Thank you for another excellent video! Your clear and easy to follow tutorial has helped me to understand photoshop better and take the mystery out of it. This gradual and subtle fine-tuning of contrast is amazing. Thank you again Sean.

Great video as always Sean. Thanks for taking your time to share this.

Thanks a lot Sean. Very helpful tut. I remember the high pass filter tip from editing headshot video. I been using it since in most of my photos :)

A true gem of a tutorial. Dankjewel!

Sean is the best photography KZfaqr. Great style !

Notification/Like/Watch. In that order, every single time.

Great job Sean! You've given me some inspiration to try and save some old photos that I thought were too washed out...I'm comfortable in Lightroom but am a little wary of Photoshop as it seems more daunting for some reason. This process seems really doable for me though! It's really great to have someone define a workflow for me to get started with.

Outstanding content, Sean! I shoot mostly landscape and bird in flight. There is so much more than mastering contrast baked into this video, I feel like I've been transported into the future in one moment. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you SO much Sean! Always love your videos but this one really really set the scene for what I’ve been missing in portrait shoots. Perfectly explained! Thank you!!!!

What a phenomenal video. Thanks Sean!!

Wow! Can’t wait to try this out. Thanks for sharing Sean.

I know next to nothing about Adobe Photoshop, but this video gives me a great deal of hope. THANKS!

Some great techniques, Sean! I really found the b&w layer on soft light very interesting, definitely have to try that!

Your retouching is subtle but looks great, easy and repeatable. Thanks for sharing.

Sean, I love your videos. The tutorials are great, and the more philosophical ones are very insightful.

Absolutely amazing tutorial Sean! 🙌🏻 Loved it!

That is single handily the best photoshop tutorial I have seen! Thank you!

Very practical and comprehensive step by step tutorial. Thank you Sean

One of, if not the best, photography teachers on youtube.

Genius with the color contrast. Love this content, thank you!

Sean, this video has greatly improved my final images. Thank you! I am subscribed and "thumbs up" on all your videos. Thank you again for wonderful content!.

Just amazing. Methodical way of sharping and adding contrast to photos. 👍🏽

Thank you for sharing Sean. Even an amateur photographer like me can understand the tutorial on enhancing contrast to an image. Very well presented.

Thanks Sean for this awesome video! I was actually feeling a bit discouraged with my portraits because they looked off to me, but this is EXACTLY what I needed to make them pop. I wish Adobe would add more of these natively to Lightroom, but I guess that's why both are included in the Photography plan. Thank you again! :)

Thanks Sean! Love what you are doing. Hope you keep up this work. Best tutorials out here.

Recently started watching your videos and have learned soooooo much. Amazing what you can learn in 21min 25 seconds. Thanks

Loving your videos so much. Just got into photography myself and Im loving it. Cant wait to practice the protecting the highlights technique tomorrow!

Sean i just sat there with my mouth open for half of the video. This was excactly what i needed since half a year, because i really started to "hate" the contrast slider in lightroom. And just by doing the normal black and whites and a little bit of s curves that never gave me the satisfaction of suttle but good contrast. Ill try it out right now :)

Fantastic video. Just goes to show everyday is a school day. Learnt some great techniques and thoughts of processing images. Cheers Sean

thank you mr Tucker. im always dig in on your tutorials, always explaining things really well. thank you sir

Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to share these workflows. Very helpful.

Amazing man!! Really you just opened the next steps I was really looking for! Thanxs Sean

Always great content! I love it and I learn a lot - thank you Sean!

Brilliant! Not that old processing tips usually found on internet/youtube! Thanks for sharing Sean!

this is a fantastic tutorial. I had no idea I could create contrast using these techniques. Thanks!