Channel Mixer Adjustment - Making Colors Pop

This is a simple tutorial on how you can make colors in an image pop with a Channel Mixer Adjustment Layer in photoshop. You can do it in any version.. You can boost  the colors  in places you want, leaving the rest untouched.

Step 1 : I will be using this free stock image for the tutorial. You will find it here

It belongs to senturk

Step 2 :  Click the New Fill or Adjustment Layer button.

Step 3 : Click on Channel Mixer from the pop up.

Step 4 : The Color Mixer channel opens. It is set at Red at +100 and Green and Blue at 0.

Step 5 : Change the value of  the Red channel to 150 and -25 for Green and Blue channels. (Red+Green+Blue channel should total 100).

The image looks like this.

Step 6 : Select the Green Channel.

Step 7 : Increase the Value of the Green Channel to 150 and Red and Blue to -25.

Step 8 : Lastly select the Blue channel. Increase the Blue to 150 and decrease the Reds and Greens to -25.

The image looks like this. The colors have 'popped'. But the effect has been applied to the entire image, something that is not wanted.

Step 9 : Examine the Mask on Channel Mixer 1 layer. There is a thin border around it. It indicates that it is selected.

Step 10 : Press CTRL+I to invert the Mask. The Mask changes to Black.

The Black Layer mask hides the effects achieved so far. You see the original image again.

Step 11 Click the Brush Tool.

Step 12 : Click in the top panel to reveal the Brush Controls and select a soft brush. I have selected a particular brush.

Step 13 : Switch the Foreground Color to White by clicking the bent arrow or pressing x on the keyboard.

Step 14 : paint on the areas you want to reveal. I am painting the face.

Step 15 : I have painted just the face and the dress and left the hair and  the background alone. If you make a mistake while painting, switch the Foreground color to Black and paint it out. Resume painting with White.
That is all. Other photoshop tutorials are here