Example

In the photograph below, the contrast was increased slightly by use of the Auto button.

To see the change in contrast, study how the snow looks, the shadow above "3 Feet,", and how the letters of "3 Feet" look.

The color balance, an overall color, shifted slightly from cyan to red.

To see this change, examine the snow, and especially, the shed in the upper-left corner and the concrete edge of the pool.

To judge color in photographs, look at gray areas and skin tones.

You must look back-and-forth quickly, if the difference is subtle.

Original

Auto Levels

Original

Auto Levels

Original

Auto Levels

Poor Color?

If the color changes, and it's not acceptable, change the blending mode of the Levels adjustment layer from Normal to Luminosity.

Blending mode is located at the top of the Layers palette.

In the above photograph, a 10% improvement was done simply by a click of a button.

How did Photoshop make the change?

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