Processing - Photoshop Levels

Found in both CS and elements versions of Photoshop. I've always used levels! It's simple. and awesome. In CS3 this is image -> adjustments -> levels, and will look like this:


The histogram of the photo is shown, along with three slider wedges underneath that you can move. A histogram is a record of shadows, highlights and midtones within a photo. If you have a histogram heavy on the left (shadows), it will be quite dark. If it is heavy in the middle (lots of midtones), it should be exposed well, and if it is heavy on the right (highlights), it should be quite bright. Some people swear upon histograms for how good a photo is - but don't worry about it. If the photo looks good, it looks good!! You'll just need to understand the concept of shadows, midtones and highlights to use levels properly.

You can see the left wedge is black - for shadows, the middle one grey - for midtones and the right one is white - for highlights. I'll use a random photo off camera for an example of the effects of these:

The photo is decent, but a little bit dull. Levels will definitely improve it.

Moving the left wedge to the right will darken shadows - adding contrast. Here I have moved it to '20':

Moving the right wedge to the left will brighten highlights - making the bright parts stand out more. I have reset the photo to the original and then slid the highlights left to '235':


A simple levels adjustment is to darken shadows slightly, and lighten hightlights slightly. This gives a nice polished, professional look. BUT - DON'T OVERDO IT!! Otherwise you will turn into an indie.

Moving the middle wedge at times is important too. If you have under or over exposed, it is a great fixer:

Moving the middle wedge to the left will brighten midtones, an easy way to brighten a photo without making highlights over-expose.

Moving the middle wedge to the right will darken midtones, an easy way to darken a photo without sending shadows into oblivion.

When you lighten or darken midtones, the photo usually loses some contrast, so it's usually good to even them out - If I lighten midtones, I usually slightly darken shadows. If I darken midtones, I usually slightly lighten highlights.

My most common action in levels seems to be to brighten midtones slightly, and then darken shadows slightly. This seems to give a nice professional look. Try it for yourself!

Cheers
Tal