Advanced Techniques - Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 for Photographers - page 218

# Photoshop Elements is 16-bit enabled

But why all this talk about 16 bits per channel files (48-bit color in total)? Well, since the ver-
sion 3.0 release of Elements, the program has been 16-bit enabled. This means that if you
have a camera or scanner that is capable of capturing in this mode you can now take advan-
tage of the extra color and tone it provides. 'Fantastic!' you say. 'No more 8 bits per channel
(24-bit image) tweaking for me, I'm a 16 bits per channel fanatic from here on in.' But there
is a catch (you knew there had to be).

Despite the power and sophistication of Elements, only a subset of its features is available for
working on 16-bit files. Of the tools, the Rectangular and Elliptical Marquee and Lasso, Eye-
dropper, Move, Crop and Zoom tools all function in this mode. In addition, you can rotate,
resize, apply auto levels, auto contrast or auto color correct or use more manual controls
such as Levels, Shadows/Highlights and Brightness/Contrast features. The Sharpen, Noise,
Blur and Adjustment filter groups also work here. Does this mean that making enhance-
ment changes in 16-bit mode is unworkable? No, you just need to use a different approach.
Read on.

Global versus local enhancement
Because of the limitations when working with a 16 bits per channel file in Elements, some
digital photographers break their enhancement tasks into two different sections - global
and local.

Global , or those changes that are applied at the beginning of the process to the whole pic-
ture. These include general brightness and contrast changes, some color correction and the
application of a little sharpening.

Local changes are those that are more specific and are sometimes applied to just sections
of the picture. They may include dodging and burning in, removal of unwanted dust and
scratches, the addition of some text and the application of special effects filters.

This separation of enhancement tasks fits neatly with the way that the 16-bit support works
in Photoshop Elements. Global changes can be applied to the photograph whilst it is still in
16-bit mode; the file can then be converted to 8 bits per channel (Image > Mode > 8 Bits/
channel) and the local alterations applied. This is the process that the professionals have
been using for years and now Elements gives you the power to follow suit.

Common high-bit misconceptions

Elements can't handle high-bit
images. Not true. Previous versions of
the program couldn't handle high-bit
pictures but since Elements 3.0, the
program has contained a reduced
feature set that can be used with 16 bits
per channel images. And even with this
limitation there are enough features
available to ensure quality enhancement
of your images.

High-bit images are too big for me
to handle and store. Yes, high-bit
images are twice the file size of 8-bit
pictures and this does slow down
machines with limited resources but, if
this is a concern, put up with the
inconvenience of a slow machine whilst
you make tonal and color changes then
convert to a speedier 8-bit file for local
changes.

I can't use my favorite tools and
features in high-bit mode so I don't
use high-bit images at all. You are
losing quality in your images needlessly.
Perform your global edits in 16-bit mode
and then convert to 8-bit mode for the
application of your favorite low-bit
techniques.