Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Primary Image Adjustments
Photoshop offers several image adjustments, but only a few are
used most often. Commands such as Levels and Curves are used
by professionals to achieve outstanding results. These professional
imaging techniques may take a little time to get comfortable with,
but the power they offer is worth your investment.
NoTe
Levels Beats
Brightness/Contrast
A Brightness/Contrast command
does exist, but the Levels adjust-
ment lets you perform several
improvements with one com-
mand. Using a single image process
cuts down on the loss of quality
introduced from multiple image-
processing steps.
Levels
The Levels command corrects tonal ranges and color balance
issues. With this command you can fix poor exposure. Addition-
ally, you can perform color correction by manually identifying a
white point and black point in the image. Nearly every image can
benefit from making a Levels adjustment.
To u nder st a nd L evel s , you mu st be a ble t To rea d a
histogram. This graph works as a visual guide for
adjusting the image. The Levels adjustment has
its own histogram that is visible when working in
the Adjustments panel. You may also want to call
up the Histogram panel (Window > Histogram)
and leave it open while color correcting to help
you spot issues in color and contrast. You can
also expand the Histogram panel by clicking the
submenu and choosing All Channels View. Let's
give the command a try.
1. Close any open files, and then open the file Ch10_Levels.tif
from the Chapter 10 folder.
2. Add a Levels adjustment layer by clicking the Levels icon in
the Adjustments panel. Levels is also available from the Adjust-
ments menu (Image > Adjustments), but the adjustment layer is
more flexible for future modifications.
3. This photo was shot under mixed light, but you can reset the
black and white points of the image to fix the exposure. In the
Adjustments panel, move the white Input Levels slider to the
left. This affects the image's white point and allows you to reas-
sign where white should begin in the image.
 
 
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