Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
the images in Aperture. Using presets is a quick and efficient way to optimize images or at least get
the adjustments close to where they need to be. After you apply a preset, you can always tweak
the individual adjustment settings for any particular image.
To use the presets that come with Aperture 3, open the Adjustments Inspector and choose the
Presets pop-up menu. As shown in Figure 6.46, you see a menu of the types of presets that are
available. As you hover over the individual presets within each category, you see a preview of the
image with the preset applied. Those previews are huge timesavers because you instantly see
whether a preset is helpful.
6.46
Hover the cursor over any of the presets and a preview appears showing
how the image will look if you apply that preset.
The presets are divided into groups. The first group is called Quick Fixes and primarily adjusts the
exposure of the image. We've been pleasantly surprised that in many cases Auto Enhance does a
good job of getting an image close to the way we want to see it. Unfortunately, it sometimes intro-
duces clipping into one or more channels, so we often modify the white and black point Levels
settings it creates after applying it. Nonetheless, as shown in Figure 6.46, Auto Enhance can pro-
vide a great starting place, particularly with low-contrast images, and helps when you initially view
your images.
You can apply additional presets by selecting them. The image preview will update indicating
when they've been applied. For example, we might use Auto Enhance and then opt to brighten
the Shadows to see more shadow detail, and then perhaps use one of the White Balance presets to
correct the colorcast of the image. With any of the presets, you can tweak the settings in the
appropriate Adjustment brick.
To remove an earlier preset and apply a new one to an image, hold down the Option
key while choosing the new preset. That way the new preset will be applied to the
image
instead of
the earlier preset, rather than
in addition
to it.
Genius
