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Contrast Layers

Step 1

Open a photo you would like to edit. Or, you may use the photo used in this tutorial (from iStockPhoto).

Step 2

Duplicate the layer (Layer> Duplicate Layer or Ctrl+J) and add a layer mask to the new layer (Layer> Add Layer Mask> Reveal All).

Step 3

Make sure the layer mask is activated. The thumbnail of the layer mask in the layers window should have a white border around it. If it doesn't, click on the thumbnail to activate the layer mask.

Step 4

With the layer mask selected, open the Apply Image tool (Image> Apply Image). The default settings should be fine so you may simply click OK if the settings are default:

Layer: Merged

Channel: RGB

Invert: Unchecked

Blending: Multiply

Opacity: 100%

Step 5

Duplicate the current layer (Layer> Duplicate Layer or Ctrl+J).

Step 6

Activate the layer mask of the top layer. Make sure the layer mask is activated. The thumbnail of the layer mask in the layers window should have a white border around it. If it doesn't, click on the thumbnail to activate the layer mask.

Step 7

With the layer mask activated, Invert (Image> Adjustments> Invert or Ctrl+I).

Adjusting the Contrast Layers

Now that we have the contrast layers created, the rest is very simple. Simply follow these steps to achieve your desired effect.

Step 8

Change the blending mode of the layers to the following:

• For a high contrast effect:

  Top Layer: Screen

  Middle Layer: Multiply

• For a low contrast effect:

  Top Layer: Multiply

  Middle Layer: Screen

  

Step 9

To reduce the strength of the effect, select the top two contrast layers and group the selected layers (Layer> Group or Ctrl+G). Then, select the new group and adjust the opacity.

Final Results

 

Source: http://photoshoptutorials.ws/photoshop-tutorials/photo-retouching/contrast-layers/all-pages.html