Photoshop Elements > Levels >

Other Levels Methods

Most often, you'll use the three sliders to make Levels corrections.

There are three other alternate methods.

Alternate Method #1 - Auto Button

The Auto button changes the exposure, contrast, and color.

Just click the button in the Levels adjustment panel.

Yes, the Auto button occasionally works well.

But, most often:

• Your adjustments with the sliders will be better.

• It's best to do color correction separately from exposure and contrast adjustment.

As mentioned, the Auto button changes the color as well as the exposure and contrast.

Alternate Method #2 - Channel Mixer

When you're using the sliders, you're adjusting all three color channels at the same time.

You're adjusting the RGB channel, the combination of the red, green, and blue channels.

You can adjust the red, green, and blue channels individually.

Do so if the histograms of the color channels show that they're very different.

To see the histogram of each color channel, open the Histogram panel on the right side of your scree or go to Window > Histogram.

Example

As described, use the Channel Mixer only when the histograms of the color channels are very different.

Let's say you're editing a snow scene.

The color-channel histograms are similar.

Therefore, don't use this method.

Let's say you're editing a red picnic table on a green lawn.

The color-channel histograms are radically different.

Therefore, edit each color channel separately.

How to Use the Channel Mixer

Use the Channel Mixer in the Levels adjustment panel to change from one color channel to another.

Look for the box with RGB inside.

That's the Channel Mixer.

Do the following.

1) Change RGB to Red.

2) Use the black and white sliders to adjust the exposure.

Don't use the gray slider.

3) Repeat the above for the Green and Blue channels.

4) Switch back to the RGB channel.

5) Adjust the contrast, with the gray slider, if needed.

6) If an unwanted color balance shift occurs, tweak the appropriate color channel with the gray slider.

Alternate Method #3 - Eyedroppers

There are three eyedroppers in the Levels adjustment panel.

The middle eyedropper, the gray eyedropper, is used for color correction.

It won't be used here.

The black and white eyedroppers are for adjusting the shadows and highlights, respectively.

Use the Black & White Eyedroppers

Do the following.

1) Click the black eyedropper.

2) Click the part of your photograph that is a black with some detail or slight texture.

3) Click the white eyedropper.

4) Click the part of your photograph that is a white with some detail or slight texture.

By "telling" Photoshop Elements where the white and black points are, the program can stretch a photograph's contrast range to fit the entire contrast range.

Example

The photograph below was improved by doing the following.

The black eyedropper was clicked on the telephone pole in the background.

The white eyedropper was clicked on the "stripe" of bright snow that's beneath the blue side of the pool in the foreground.

Color Card

If you're photographing extensively at the same location, you may want to include a GretagMacBeth ColorChecker card in the first photograph.

The card has a range of tones from white to black, and a range of colors.

Later, when you're at your computer, you can use the photograph with the card with the eyedroppers.

You won't have to figure out where to click on a photograph.

When photographing the card, make sure it's in the same light as the subject, and if the lighting changes, photograph the card again.

Don't confuse the GretagMacBeth ColorChecker with the GretagMacBeth ColorChecker SG, which is $280.

GretagMacBeth ColorChecker

Eyedropper Calibration

Advanced uses may want to experiment with recalibrating the eyedroppers.

Go to Eyedropper Calibration.