Why Plug-Ins
Why Plug-Ins: Color Correction
Color perception, like all human senses is personal and different from person to person. It is easily influenced by outside factors such as local color, color temperature of lighting, season, mood, male or female and even cultural preference. We also have a hard time recognizing colors and even picking out the same color repeatedly is difficult. If you have ever picked out paint at the hardware store only to find that you didn't like the color once it was on your walls you have experienced just some of these issues.
Beyond the perception of color is the understanding of how color theory works. Artists such as designers and photographers learn about color theory in school, but only those that spend a great deal of time in a color darkroom really become competent in understanding and manipulating the additive color system, the basis for RGB color in digital imaging. Ironically with all of the variance in color perception and use, most of us can tell if the color is incorrect in an image. We may not be able to identify the color cast or articulate what should be done to correct it, yet we know it is not correct or at least not pleasing
When we look at the tools available in Photoshop for correcting color and tone you find at least eight dialogs:
Layers
Curves
Color Balance
Brightness/Contrast
Hue/Saturation
Exposure
Channel Mixer
Shadow/Highlight
Even for the advanced user, who understands color theory these dialogs can be confusing. When do I use which and how do I make the proper adjustments? Even advanced users that do not have a background in color theory can easily make counter-productive color correction mistakes by attempting to adjust in opposing directions, causing additional color problems.
For users with little experience in Photoshop or color theory they are left with two options, using Photoshop's automatic adjustments like auto levels and auto color or try to flounder their way through complicated and abstract dialogs. Automatic tools like auto levels, auto curves and auto color work by analyzing the image and mathematically making adjustments to equalize color channels. In some cases these tools can provide dramatically better results. In other cases, where the image does not comply with the mathematical ideal for an image, the results can be unexpected; either little to no change or large changes that result in clipped highlights and shadows or unnatural or unpleasing color especially with portrait images. When these automatic adjustments fail or even if the user wants to do something as simple as warm the image up they must make manual adjustments that require some knowledge of color theory and Photoshop
This is a perfect example of how a plug-in like PhotoTune can help you maximize the power of Photoshop. PhotoTune comes with two modules to tackle the two major limiting factors for people who want to improve the color and tone of their images. First is the knowledge of color theory, the ability to identify a color cast and know what colors to adjust and how to correct it. Second is the knowledge of the complex and often abstract dialogs in Photoshop needed to make the proper adjustments.
PhotoTune's ColorTune module is a Photoshop Plug-in that works like an eye exam to figure out precisely what is wrong with your photo and how to fix it. During each step of the Wizard process, you are presented with two preview images that have been altered in different ways. All you do is pick the better image from each pair. ColorTune instantly and scientifically analyzes your feedback to determine exactly what you want. In about 20 seconds, ColorTune produces a corrected image, which you can fine-tune in full 8 bit or 16 bit precision.
ColorTune takes care of all your correction needs, including dynamic range, exposure, saturation, and color balance. There's even a great highlight and shadow feature built right in. It doesn't matter if you're a color expert or a Photoshop novice, ColorTune will save you a lot of time and effort. No longer will you have to jump from one feature to another, tweaking and experimenting in hopes of finding the perfect correction.
Learn more about PhotoTune for general color correction and for accurately correcting skin color.