Digital ImagingUnit 8: Enhancing Specific Selections & Adjusting ColorsModule 3: Making Color Corrections

Making Color Corrections

One of the most common applications for image editing software is color correcting.

Using color knowledge (complimentary colors, highlights, shadows, midtones) and some of the filters previously discussed, we will demonstrate how to color correct an image.

Digital ImagingUnit 8: Enhancing Specific Selections & Adjusting ColorsModule 3: Making Color Corrections

Making Color Corrections

Color corrections can be done directly to an image, or if you wish to experiment with color corrections and then apply them to the image you can create an adjustment layer (as previously discussed).

Which color correction tool you go to first is a matter of preference.

Digital ImagingUnit 8: Enhancing Specific Selections & Adjusting ColorsModule 3: Making Color Corrections

Levels

Levels has three main sliders. Moving the sliders left or right adjusts the amount of highlight, shadow or midtone in an image.

Often slight movement of all three sliders is required to improve the image color.

Digital ImagingUnit 8: Enhancing Specific Selections & Adjusting ColorsModule 3: Making Color Corrections

Color Balance

Color balance lets you adjust areas of the image that have too much of a color.

Digital ImagingUnit 8: Enhancing Specific Selections & Adjusting ColorsModule 3: Making Color Corrections

Skin Tones

Be very careful making color corrections to skin tones. Too much color either way can make a person appear too red, or too green. Utilizing masks as discussed in previous units can help. Mask out all but the problem area before making any color adjustments.