Using Clarity and Dehaze for Natural Depth in Images

Photoshop's new Clarity and Dehaze adjustment layers offer precise control over image depth, but they're often misused to create harsh, over-processed effects. Understanding how these tools work at different frequency levels helps you enhance natural atmospheric perspective instead of destroying it.

Clarity affects microcontrast in small details, while Dehaze works on larger contrast areas globally. Using them selectively and often in reverse creates more convincing spatial relationships between foreground and background elements.

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Practical Tips

Here are key techniques for using clarity and dehaze effectively:

• Use negative clarity values on backgrounds to create light, airy atmospheric effects that mimic natural distance
• Apply positive clarity selectively to foreground elements while masking out distant objects to maintain depth
• Change dehaze layers to Luminosity blend mode to avoid unwanted blue color shifts in skies
• Create separate adjustment layers for foreground and background areas using Select Subject and inverted masks
• Avoid pushing both sliders positive globally as this flattens all elements to the same visual plane

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