Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
3
Click the Properties tab and click and drag it out of the docking area toward the left. Undocking the pan-
el this way allows you to reposition the Properties panel. This is important in later steps when you need
to see the image at the same time as the Properties panel.
You can see all adjustment layer options in the Adjustments panel; you see a panel with links to the
other adjustments that you can make.
If you make an error, you can undo one step by pressing Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac OS).
If you want to return to the defaults for this adjustment, choose the Reset to Adjustment Defaults button
( ) in the lower-right portion of the Properties panel.
If you want to eliminate the adjustment layer, choose the Delete this adjustment layer button ( ).
Defining the highlight and shadow
In this section, you'll set the highlight and shadow to predetermined values using the Set White Point and
Set Black Point tools available in the Curves Adjustments panel. Before you do this, you'll determine what
those values should be. This is a critical part of the process, since the default for the white point is 0,
meaning that the lightest part of the image will have no value when printed, and any detail in this area will
be lost.
Some images can get away with not having tonal values in very bright areas. Typically, reflections from
metal, fire, and extremely sunlit areas, as well as reflections off other shiny objects such as jewelry, do not
have value in those reflective areas.
These are referred to as specular highlights. By leaving them without any value, it helps the rest of the im-
age look balanced, and allows the shine to pop out of the image.
This image has specular highlights, which should be left with a value of zero.
Locating the White and Black Point
Back before digital imagery became so accessible, highly skilled scanner operators used large drum scan-
ners to scan and color-correct images. Back then, color experts followed many of the same steps that you
will learn in this lesson. The most important step would be defining the tone curve based on what the oper-
ator thought should be defined as the lightest part of a tone curve, and the darkest.
There are many factors that can determine what appears to be a simple task. To produce the best image,
you need to know where the image will be used; shiny coated paper, newsprint, or on screen only.
Before you get started, you will change a simple preference to make it easier for you to interpret the
Curves in the Properties panel.
