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Image is muddy and dull.
Increasing contrast brings out the color and detail,
creating a more exciting image.
The final image is shown at the bottom of the page
with adjusted midtones, enhanced green color and sharpening applied
after the increase in contrast.
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Let's start the discussion on improving photos by looking at what is
wrong with the first image at the left. At first glance, if you are
new to photo enhancement, and cannot see the corrected image, it may
not look too bad.
However, there are several problems with the image that take away the
impact and make what should be a dramatic photo fade into oblivion.
Compare this image to the enhanced version at the bottom of the page.
Notice how the first one seems dull and uninspired compared to the second.
The enhanced image pops off the page and really grabs your attention.
The transition from the image at the left to the one at the bottom
of the page is accomplished in steps. The steps I have learned to follow
are contrast, tone, color and finally sharpening. Occasionally an image
only needs one or two minor adjustments, and really bad, or specialty
photos, like jewelry, require more than this list of enhancements. However,
it is a good starting point.
The difference between the first and second images at the left is entirely
accomplished by increasing contrast and brightness. Take a look at the
first image and let your eye absorb the difference in color from the
lightest to the darkest color. Then observe the enhanced image and do
the same. Note how the numbers on the jersey are gray in the first and
white in the second. The color range in the first image is from CCCCCC
(light gray) to 333333 (dark gray). The range in the enhanced image
is FFFFFF (white) to 000000 (black). The table below shows the dark
and light colors side by side, dramatically showing the difference in
contrast levels.
When you increase the contrast, the dark colors become darker and the
light colors become lighter. Because our eye finds detail by differences
in color, increasing contrast brings out the detail in almost every
image.
I find that I must usually adjust brightness at the same time as I
increase the contrast. It is a good idea to move in small increments,
checking the original image often, not just the preview.
Color will usually improve with a contrast adjustment as well. That
is one of the reasons that I most often adjust the contrast before I
move to any other enhancing tool. Notice how the green of the jersey
is much brighter once the contrast is increased. Also, look at the detail
at the back of the helmet. In the original image, you can barely tell
that there is purple detail, yet with increased contrast, that detail
jumps out.
Hint: If you are enhancing a series of images that came from
the same scanner or digital camera, with similar photos taken in similar
lighting, you will find that the contrast and brightness settings are
often similar from one image to the next. Make note of the numbers for
the first few photos, and start with those values for subsequent images.
If the numbers you are using turn out to be exactly the same every time,
you may wish to create an action (Photoshop) to enhance your images
with one click.
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Contrast/Brightness in Photoshop
Photoshop offers contrast and brightness control in one function. To
adjust one or both values, select Image> Adjust> Brightness and
Contrast. Use the sliders for each value to adjust, moving to the left
to decrease brightness or contrast, and to the right to increase either
value. With the preview option checked, you can follow the results of
the changed value in the document.
There are times that you wonder if you have improved the image or not.
Just uncheck the Preview option, and you will be able to see the original
appearance again. Toggle back and forth, adjusting the values until
you are satisfied that you have improved the look. Click OK to accept
the settings.
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Contrast/Brightness in Paint Shop Pro
Paint Shop Pro offers contrast and brightness in one function. To adjust
one or both values, select Colors> Adjust > Brightness/Contrast.
Enter the values you desire, click on the increase or decrease value
arrows, or click on the slider under the value to change the settings.
Click on the Preview button (the eye) to check the results in your document.
If you wonder whether you have improved the image, click on the the
Preview button, and you will be able to see the original appearance
again. Toggle back and forth, adjusting the values until you are satisfied
that you have improved the look. Click OK to accept the settings.
To reset both values and start over, click on the Reset button at the
bottom right of the screen.
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Contrast/Brightness in Fireworks
Fireworks offers contrast and brightness control in one function. If
you are not already working in Edit Bitmap mode, select Modify> Edit
Bitmap. To adjust one or both values, select Xtras> Adjust Color>
Brightness/ Contrast. Use the sliders for each value to adjust, moving
to the left to decrease brightness or contrast, and to the right to
increase either value. With the preview option checked, you can follow
the results of the changed value in the document.
There are times that you wonder if you have improved the image or not.
Just uncheck the Preview option, and you will be able to see the original
appearance again. Toggle back and forth, adjusting the values until
you are satisfied that you have improved the look. Click OK to accept
the settings.
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