Photoshop Frustration

July 11, 2008 12:17 PM

Photoshop is being extremely frustrating - I am trying to adjust the levels (or curves) of a layer of noise (created by making a black layer and then using filter->add noise). When I make the level or curve adjustment, the preview image reflects my changes, but then when I hit "ok", Photoshop ignores everything I just input and throws back the same thing I started with. I can't figure out why it is doing this or how to resolve it - what's going on?
posted by oranges to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

I've also tried some alternative methods - adjustment layers work but they also mess up everything else under them. I've also tried isolating the noise layer and an adjustment layer in a separate file, then exporting that to jpg/png, but after exporting, Photoshop ignores the adjustment layer.
posted by oranges at 12:21 PM on July 11, 2008

Make sure your layer mask on the adjustment layer isn't masked out (black).
posted by bradbane at 12:24 PM on July 11, 2008

Using your alternative methods — when you make a new adjustment layer, select "Use previous layer to create clipping mask" in the dialog box that pops up. Or if you have an adjustment layer already existing, option click between the adjustment layer and the noise layer in the layers palette. Either of these things will force the adjustment layer to only affect the noise layer.
posted by Uncle Glendinning at 12:38 PM on July 11, 2008

I've seen this happen on images that are color modes other than RGB/24bit. Have you checked that yet?
posted by finitejest at 1:21 PM on July 11, 2008

Are you zoomed in 100%? Sounds like Photoshop might be adjusting a downsampled proxy of the noise, which would contain a lot more shades of gray than the full-resolution noise, which would be nearly black and white.

If your noise is very high-contrast, levels and curves won't do too much of anything unless you're moving the black or white points.
posted by Plug Dub In at 1:23 PM on July 11, 2008