Making selections via adjustment layers

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Another way of selecting and adjusting part of an image is by doing it with Adjustment layers. What this does is it creates a seperate layer and PS adds a layer mask built into the adjustment layer.

In this example, I've decided that I want to even out the light on the rear quarter panel of this 300c. So what I'm going to do is increase the levels of the whole image, and then delete/erase the parts that I don't want adjusted.

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/2046/adjustment1ox5.jpg

First we need to create the adjustment layer. I'm going to use levels, but I typically use levels, curves, brightness and contrast, and then sometimes hue/saturation.

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/3057/adjustment2lc2.jpg

Make sure you check the "clip to previous layer" checkbox, as this will tell the adjustment layer to make the changes to the previoius active layer (the one underneath it on the layers palate).

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/4233/adjustment3dq4.jpg

Now adjust your layers:

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3608/adjustment4jm9.jpg

Finally take the eraser and erase the whole image, except for that rear quarter panel. Make sure when you erase, you select a brush with soft edges from the top brush panel.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6140/adjustment5mb5.jpg

Now if the changes look to obvious, you can lower the opacity on the adjustment layer.

Hope this helps!