Frequency Separation process
in Photoshop.
Frequency separation is a technique for creating smooth skin with Photoshop.
Photo editors use frequency separation for detailed retouching.
This article will take you through the step-by-step process of using frequency
separation. You’ll be able to create smooth skin in Photoshop without destroying
the texture. The separation allows more precise retouching of fine details.
Table of Contents
● What Is Frequency Separation?
● How to Create Frequency Separation in Photoshop
○ Step 1 – Create Layers
○ Step 2 – Prepare the Low-Frequency Layer
○ Step 3 – Prepare the High-Frequency Layer
● Conclusion
What Is Frequency Separation?
Frequency separation is a tried-and-true Photoshop process used by Photo editors.
The process puts high and low-frequency information onto different layers.
High-frequency information is about the fine details. These include hair, texture,
pores, fine lines, and skin imperfections.
Low frequencies carry information about shadows, tone and colors.
Separating low and high-frequency information into different layers means that
you can retouch one without affecting the other. You can smooth the skin’s
texture without affecting the colors.
This allows for more precise skin retouching.
How to Create Frequency
Separation in Photoshop
Before you begin retouching a photo, follow this frequency separation process. We
will create a low-frequency layer that will control “Shadows, tone & Color”. Then,
we’ll create a high-frequency layer that will control “Skin Texture” or “Texture”.
Step 1 – Create Layers
Open your image in Adobe Photoshop and create two duplicate layers. You can do
this by right-clicking on the background layer and selecting Duplicate Layer (Ctrl
or ⌘J).
The top layer will become a high-frequency layer. The other is for low-frequency
information. The Background layer allows you to revert back to the original
necessary.
Label the layers so you can keep track of them. I call the high-frequency layer
“Skin Texture” or “Texture”. I call the low-frequency layer “Shadows & Color”.
I usually group these two layers together into a folder. Do this by holding the shift
key as you select. Then right-click and select Group from Layers (Ctrl or ⌘G). I
label the group “Skin Retouching”. After I finish my retouching, I can toggle both
layers on and off at the same time.
Expand the group so you can see both layers.
Create two duplicate background layers and add them to a group. Re-label the layers so you can
keep them straight.
Step 2 – Prepare the Low-Frequency Layer
First, turn off the top layer by clicking the eye icon next to the layer. This allows
you to see the changes you are about to make in the low-frequency layer.
Select the layer labeled “Shadows & Color”.
Turn off the high-frequency layer and select the low-frequency layer.
We’re going to add a blur to this layer to smooth the skin. Go to
Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur.
Screenshot showing how to
navigate to Gaussian blur.
In the pop-up dialog box, select a radius value that blurs the texture of the skin.
You don’t need to add too much blur. Somewhere between 5 and 10px is probably
enough.
We’re going to blend this blur in a minute to add back some skin texture.
Click OK.
Gaussian blur dialog box showing blur preview.
Step 3 – Prepare the High-Frequency Layer
Turn on the high-frequency layer labeled “Skin Texture” by clicking the eye icon
and select the layer. Make sure you have the layer selected before moving on.
Turn on and select high-frequency layer.
Preparing the high-frequency layer uses a tool you may never have used before in
Photoshop. The Apply Image tool. This is a blending tool that combines
information from two images. In this case, we’re combining the high and
low-frequency layers.
Go to Image>Apply Image to open the dialog box. The settings will revert to
previous settings. If you’ve never used this tool before, your dialog box probably
looks like this.
Default Apply Image dialog box.
Enter the following settings:
● Layer: Shadows & Color
● Blending: Subtract
● Scale: 2
● Offset: 128
Your image will go gray, and you will be able to see the outlined edges of facial
features.
Apply Image dialog box showing settings for Layer, Blending, Scale, and Offset.
By selecting the Shadows & Color layer, you told Photoshop to blend the high
and low-frequency layers together. Then you told Photoshop to blend the layers
by subtracting one from the other.
Entering 2 in the scale box told Photoshop to halve the effect. It’s too strong
otherwise.
Finally, by entering 128 in the offset box, you brightened the image. The offset
scale is from 0 to 255. 128 is about halfway.
Click OK.
One last step will get your photo looking back to normal. Change the blending
mode on high frequency layer to Linear Light blend mode from the dropdown
menu at the top of the layers box
Change the blend mode on high-frequency layer to Linear Light.
Congratulations! You’ve completed the frequency separation process. The high
and low frequencies in your image are on separate layers.
Frequency separation allows you to work independently on the two layers you
created. When you want to change details in the skin’s texture like wrinkles, or
pores, retouch on the “Texture” layer. When you want to remove redness or
lighten shadows, retouch on the “Shadows & Color” layer.
I tend to make most changes on the Shadows & Color layer.
Conclusion
Follow these steps for frequency separation:
1. Duplicate background layer twice
2. Add Gaussian blur to the bottom layer
3. Select top layer
4. Open Apply Image dialog box
5. Enter bottom layer, subtract blending mode, 2 for scale, and 128 for offset
6. Click OK
7. Change the blend mode of the top layer to Linear Light.
Practise the frequency separation process until you know it inside out.
Article by: Osmond Njama.
