Photoshop Elements 5: The Missing Manual

352 Photoshop Elements 5: The Missing Manual

Using Filters

You have three options in the Add Noise dialog box:

• Amount. This option controls how heavy the noise is going to be. Just drag the

slider to the right for more noise or to the left for less. You can also type in a

number. A higher percentage means more noise.

• Uniform or Gaussian. These buttons let you control how the noise gets distrib-

uted through your image. Uniform is just what it says—the same all over. Gaus-

sian distributes the noise to produce a more speckled effect.

If you’re adding noise to duplicate existing noise in a grainy photo, you’ll prob-

ably want a Gaussian distribution. For an old newspaper photo look, try Uni-

form. In either case, experiment until you get what you want.

Figure 13-6:

Top: If you use the Average Blur filter in a repair on this noisy photo, the

blended area stands out, making your repair very obvious.

Bottom: If you add some noise, the changes you’ve made become much

less noticeable.

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Chapter 13: Filters, Effects, Layer Styles, and Gradients 353

Using Filters

• Monochromatic. This setting limits noise to the colors already existing in your

photo. Take a look at the middle image in Figure 13-7 and notice how many

more colors you can see inside the