Posted by Greg Maklae on January 12, 2009 at 2:01 PM
All my PhotoShop Elements manuals, as well as the help file, ignore how to use the grey point eyedropper in the Levels menu. I just saw it referenced in Popular Photography as a way to color correct jpeg files, of which I have many from my old camera. Have been playing with it and see dramatic results. Does anyone have any suggestions on its proper setup? Thanks for any help - Greg
Posted by John Mumaw on January 12, 2009 at 6:52 PM
There's no 'proper set up' per se for the grey point eyedropper. Sounds like you're using it correctly if you're pleased with the results.
Finding a neutral midtone isn't always easy, though. Here's a foolproof way in case you just can't find one:
Layer->New Layer.
Edit->Fill. In the Contents window, choose '50% Gray' and click OK.
Change the Blend mode of that layer from 'Normal' to 'Difference'.
Don't worry about what your image looks like afterward.
Now, in the Layers dialog box, click on the Adjustment layer icon (half white/half black circle) and choose Threshold.
In the dialog box that appears, drag that slider all the way to the left. This will turn your image completely white.
Now slowly drag that slider back to the right.
The first areas that appear in black are the neutral midtones.
Go to your toolbox, right click on the Eyedropper tool to reveal the Color Sampler tool.
Choose it, and click on the area of neutral midtone that's in black. This will leave a 'target' to help you remember exactly where that area is located for your next step. You can click and leave as many 'targets' as you wish in different areas, too.
Now drag that Threshold layer down to the Trash icon.
Do the same with the New Layer.
Image->Adjustments->Levels.
Choose the Gray eyedropper and click on that target that the Color Sampler left behind.
That should color correct the image.
Seems like a lot of work, but those steps will help you identify a truly neutral color or tone to correct.
Posted by Greg Maklae on January 13, 2009 at 6:20 AM
Discussion
2 repliesFinding a neutral midtone isn't always easy, though. Here's a foolproof way in case you just can't find one:
Layer->New Layer.
Edit->Fill. In the Contents window, choose '50% Gray' and click OK.
Change the Blend mode of that layer from 'Normal' to 'Difference'.
Don't worry about what your image looks like afterward.
Now, in the Layers dialog box, click on the Adjustment layer icon (half white/half black circle) and choose Threshold.
In the dialog box that appears, drag that slider all the way to the left. This will turn your image completely white.
Now slowly drag that slider back to the right.
The first areas that appear in black are the neutral midtones.
Go to your toolbox, right click on the Eyedropper tool to reveal the Color Sampler tool.
Choose it, and click on the area of neutral midtone that's in black. This will leave a 'target' to help you remember exactly where that area is located for your next step. You can click and leave as many 'targets' as you wish in different areas, too.
Now drag that Threshold layer down to the Trash icon.
Do the same with the New Layer.
Image->Adjustments->Levels.
Choose the Gray eyedropper and click on that target that the Color Sampler left behind.
That should color correct the image.
Seems like a lot of work, but those steps will help you identify a truly neutral color or tone to correct.