Tools and Tonal Correction
To change the tone of the images there are a total of four tools that are used in Photoshop. Some of them being very simple to use, while some are complex.
Brightness/Contrast Tool controls the lightness or darkness of the image and the intensity of the shadows respectively. To use the tool click Image > Adjust > Brightness and Contrast. The dialog box opens. Adjust the settings.
Shadow/Highlight Correction Tool has more controls over details but is tricky to use. You can choose the range of shadows and highlights to be effected. You can transform a photo taken at night without a flash into an image that looks as if it were taken in daylight. To do these choose Image > adjust > shadow > highlights
Levels contains a histogram with sliders to control the tonal qualities. The sliders control the shadows, the gray and the highlights.
Curves Tool allows you the most precise control. You can increase contrast in an image with curves, target a specific tone with curves. To select choose Image > adjustments > curves. The most important areas of concern are:
- Input. Horizontal gradient runs from dark to light and represents shades in the image.
- Output. The vertical gradient shows the output or the tone after the changes are made and runs form dark to light.
- Curve. You can click and drag on the line to alter the way the tones are mapped on the image.
