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03/02/2008 09:34:11 PM · #1 |
In post-processing, I'm finding that I blindly and methodically use levels -- i.e. I tighten up the endpoints around the histogram, so the lightest areas of the image are white, and the darkest areas black. Then I move the midpoint to find some balance. I only ever touch the combined RGB channel.
I'm curious how some of you are using levels, and what effects or results you go after with a levels layer. I have a feeling there may be more possible than what I'm doing -- or that maybe I'm missing the point altogether.
For instance, do you ever (often) use levels on the individual color channels? And when or why would you?
Do you try to get contrast out of levels, or do you do that with curves?
These are some of my questions, but any feedback would be great. Thanks!
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03/02/2008 09:39:22 PM · #2 |
Since PSCS3 combined Levels and Curves into one dialog, that's all I ever use now. I start out, same as you, adjusting the whites/blacks using the stoppers at the bottom, then adjust the curve to suit the image.
I don't play with the color channels at all... but that's probably because I've already adjusted my white balance (in Lightroom) before I ever see the image in Photoshop.
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03/02/2008 09:46:55 PM · #3 |
| I read about how you can use the individual color channels in Levels to remove a color cast from an image. So if you have a shot with a color cast, you might try fiddling with the Levels sliders by channel and see what happens. I've tried it some, but not on an image with a color cast as of yet - it does give you some tonal control over particular colors, should you want to make alterations like that. |
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03/02/2008 10:28:18 PM · #4 |
I use Curves rather than Levels -- does essentially the same thing with with greater control.
I will fairly often use the Blue Channel to make the sky bluer -- in a typical landscape shot the highlights will be mostly sky, and the midtones and shadows mostly foliage. With the Blue Curve, you can make the highlights move towards the blue and add yellow (blue's complementary color) to the greens (making them "greener") by moving that part of the Curve's graph in the opposite direction.
You can also use Curves (and Levels, I suppose) to add or change colors, like this example:
Original:  Edited: 
Blue Curve:  Red Curve: 
Message edited by author 2008-03-02 22:28:54. |
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03/03/2008 12:01:26 AM · #5 |
 bvy I don't have full photoshop cs3, just elements 4 for mac, so the curves feature is not available. I use a levels adjustment layer always, but I always adjust each of the colour channels separately. I find it gives a bit more depth than using the combined channel. Although I do use the combined channel for midtone adjustments. |
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