Get adjustments made to image

[rafark]

How can I get all the adjustments made directly to an image?

Last month I applied lots of pretty much impossible to replicate adjustments to a low resolution image (exposure, vibrance, saturation, selective color, shadows and highlights (and maybe gradient map, I can't remeber)) that now I need to apply to the full resolution image. I didn't use adjustment layers.

This is a bi-color marble picture made up of a wide range of purple to pink tones. And I'd hate to have to do it again because I will not be able to replicate the exact same image I have right now.

I'm a programmer if that helps (perhaps I could parse the image?).

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

Sharing what image editing program you used would help people be able to assist you.

 

[MCAsan]

If you are using a non-destructive raw editor such as Lightroom, Luminar, C1P...etc. it should have all the edits in the sidecar XMP file and/or its database. Note in a non-destructive environment, the edits are never made to the raw image. They are part of the instructions of how to render the image to the screen. Think of it as the difference between interpreted code vs compiled code.

 

[dwig]

... I didn't use adjustment layers.
...

The implies Photoshop. If true then you're out of luck.

If all you have is a flat (no layers) bitmap image that was manipulated in a "destructive" image editor (e.g. Photoshop, GIMP, ...) then there is no data in the file to use to discern what edits were done.

 

[MCAsan]

If using Lr & PS, do the basic editing in Lr and then bring the image into Ps as a smart object. Then do all Ps edits in layers. Save the image as a PSD you can always go back and reedit as needed. Export to jpg or tif or whatever format you need.

 

[rafark]

If you are using a non-destructive raw editor such as Lightroom, Luminar, C1P...etc. it should have all the edits in the sidecar XMP file and/or its database. Note in a non-destructive environment, the edits are never made to the raw image. They are part of the instructions of how to render the image to the screen. Think of it as the difference between interpreted code vs compiled code.

The implies Photoshop. If true then you're out of luck.

If all you have is a flat (no layers) bitmap image that was manipulated in a "destructive" image editor (e.g. Photoshop, GIMP, ...) then there is no data in the file to use to discern what edits were done.

If using Lr & PS, do the basic editing in Lr and then bring the image into Ps as a smart object. Then do all Ps edits in layers. Save the image as a PSD you can always go back and reedit as needed. Export to jpg or tif or whatever format you need.

Thanks everyone. I ended up slightly bluring the image (this was meant to be a background) for the time being, but I'll have to ditch it eventually.

In my opinión PS should only apply adjustments as layers.

 

[MCAsan]

In my opinión PS should only apply adjustments as layers.

Then part of the flexibility of the app is lost. It provides the tools. You have to know what is the best way to achieve the desired image. There are worlds of training videos on Ps at Youtube.

 

[dwig]

Then part of the flexibility of the app is lost. It provides the tools. You have to know what is the best way to achieve the desired image. There are worlds of training videos on Ps at Youtube.

+1, it is not the job of Ps to be a "nanny" and limit your methods.

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

In my opinión PS should only apply adjustments as layers.

That's simple to overcome! Just make it a personal practice that each adjustment you make is on its own layer.

 

[rafark]

That's simple to overcome! Just make it a personal practice that each adjustment you make is on its own layer.

You bet I'll do, I learned the lesson the hard way.

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

You bet I'll do, I learned the lesson the hard way.

Me too! The first time I did it I had spent ages making lots of adjustments and had no idea I couldn't just go back and tweak them later on, and had to try and remember exactly what I had done, but could never recreate my original effort! Frustrating, but once you learn to work with smart objects and layers, it's all good.