Fix - Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 for Photographers - page 102

Levels can be used for cor-
recting both brightness
and color problems.

BEFORE AFTER

Levels
The Levels command is similar to Contrast in that it maps the brightest and darkest parts of
the image to white and black. It differs from the previous technique because each individual
color channel is treated separately.

In the process of mapping the tones (adjusting the contrast) in the Red, Green and Blue
channels, dominant color casts can be neutralized. This is not always the case; it depends
entirely on the make-up of the image. In some cases the reverse is true; when Auto Levels is
put to work on a neutral image, a strong cast results. If this occurs, undo (Edit > Undo) the
command and apply the Contrast Instant Fix feature instead.

Contrast tends to concen-
trate on just the tones in
the photo and to a large
degree ignores any prob-
lem color casts. BEFORE AFTER

Contrast
Contrast is designed to correct images that are either too contrasty (black and white) or
too flat (dull and lifeless). Unlike the Levels feature, Contrast ensures that the brightest and
darkest pixels in the picture (irrespective of their colors) are converted to pure white and
black. In doing so all the tones in between are expanded or contracted to fit. Apply Contrast
to grayscale photos like the example above or pictures where the contrast needs improving
but there is a strong color tint that you wish to retain. This feature is a good correction op-
tion if Levels creates more color cast problems than it corrects.