Photoshop Elements >

Color Correction /

Methods /

Make a Filter Layer Method

Be sure to check off as you go along.

Preparation

1) Preserve your original file.

If you haven't already done so, go to Preserve Your Original File.

2) Create a Background copy layer.

If you haven't already done so, go to Create a Background Copy Layer.

Make a Filter Layer Method

3) Look for an area in the photograph that should be gray, but isn't, because of the color caste.

If there's no should-be-gray area, look for a black or white area with the color caste.

4) Select the Zoom tool and enlarge the should-be-gray area.

5) Select the Rectangular Marquee tool.

6) Draw a small box around the should-be-gray area.

7) Press Ctrl + j to copy the selected area to a new layer.

8) Rename the new layer as Should Be Gray.

9) Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, and enter a Radius value of 20 pixels or more.

The Should Be Gray layer is now completely blurred.

10) Press Ctrl + i.

The color of the Should Be Gray layer is now inverted.

The inverted color is the opposite color of the color caste.

The inverted color will be used to counteract the color caste.

11) Select the Eyedropper tool.

12) In the options bar, select 5 by 5 Average in the Sample Size box.

13) Click on the blurred color on the Should Be Gray layer.

The color caste is now your foreground color in the lower left corner of your screen.

14) Delete the Should Be Gray layer by dragging it onto the trash can icon.

15) Create a Solid Color adjustment layer.

The Color Picker window will appear.

The color in the window is the foreground color, the color you selected with the Eyedropper tool.

16) Click OK in the Color Picker window.

17) Change the blending mode of the Solid Color adjustment layer from Normal to Overlay.

Blending Mode?

At the top of the layers stack, look for the unlabeled Blending Mode box.

It's to the left of the Opacity box.

Blending Mode Box

The color caste has been cancelled by the color of the Solid Color adjustment layer.

18) If needed, lower the opacity of the Solid Color adjustment layer to reduce its filtering effect.

19) If needed, you can apply the filter to only part of the photograph.

Do the following.

a) Make sure the Solid Color adjustment layer is active (highlighted).

b) Make sure the foreground color color is black.

If you haven't already, go to Foreground & Background Colors.

c) Press Alt + Backspace (or Delete).

The white mask of the Solid Color adjustment layer is now black.

The filter effect of the layer is blocked by the black mask.

If you paint white on the black mask, the filter effect will be let through the mask.

d) Change the foreground color to from black to white by pressing x.

e) Select the Brush tool.

You may want to use a feathered brush.

If you haven't already done so, go to Feathered Brush.

f) Make sure the Solid Color adjustment layer is active.

g) Paint on your photograph with white where you want the filter to work.

You'll see the white brush marks in the mask thumbnail in the Solid Color adjustment layer.