Photo 11                                                                                 

Sue Leith        

 

 

Color Correction Exercise

 

 

The purpose of this exercise is to explore different ways to color balance photographs. You will be using a Levels adjustment layer to explore both the auto functions in Photoshop as well as how to use the gray eyedropper.

 

Drag the image ÒcowsÓ to your desktop open in Photoshop

 

1. Create a Levels adjustment layer.

 

2. Use Auto functions to color correct this image. Click on each of the auto color correction functions and choose the one that does the best color correction on THIS image. Click Ok, and then OK again to exit the dialog box.  Note: The different options work differently on different images. What works for this image may not be the best choice for your next image.

 

3. Take a snapshot.  Name the snapshot appropriately, for example, Auto Levels or Auto Color.

 

3. Go back to the original image state.

 

4. Create a new Levels adjustment layer and this time use the gray eyedropper to color correct this image.

 

5. Take another snapshot and name the snapshot Eyedropper.

 

6. Analyze your snapshots to see the difference between these two methods. Choose the best, and save your image as yourname.levels.psd and drop in drop box.

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help with this exercise

 

 

It is best to first try this exercise without looking at this help area.  Use it only if you have to, or to see how youÕre doing.

 

 

To create a new Levels adjustment layer

Either click the circle thatÕs half white/half black on the bottom of the levels dialog box or go to Layers > New Adjustment Layer > Levels.

 

To use the auto corrections in the Levels dialog box

Click on the bottom right area of the Levels dialog box where it says OPTIONS. Try each of the 3 options for color correcting while watching the changes in the image window. The first, Enhance Monochromatic Contrast = auto contrast.  The next, Enhance per Channel Contrast = auto levels. The last, Find Dark & Light Colors (and) Snap Neutral Midtones = auto color.

 

Snapshots

Take snapshot by clicking the camera icon at the bottom of the Layers palette.

 

To go back to the original image state

Click on the very top snapshot in the history palette, the one that was there when you opened the image.

 

To use the gray eyedropper in the Levels dialog box

Click on the middle (gray) eyedropper below the OPTIONS area of the Levels dialog box. Now click in the image window in a neutral gray area. When youÕre satisfied, click OK to exit the dialog box.

 

Finding a neutral gray area

In this image there is a Kodak Color Control Patch. The top of this patch is neutral gray. In other images neutral gray may be difficult to find. Good places to start are shady white areas, metallic areas (tire rims) or pavement. If you click on an area that is way off you will see a dramatic incorrect color change, just click again to go back. Remember you can always hold down Option and your cancel button will reset the dialog box.