5

The adjustments to shadows, midtones, and highlights of an image overlap widely. For
example, adjustments to shadows affect the darkest parts of the image the most, but the
effect also influences midtones and lower highlights. This overlap ensures that adjustments
you make blend seamlessly with the original colors of the image.
For a practical example of using the Color Balance filter, see Matching Two Composited
Layers Using the Color Balance Filter.
Note: Although you can make small contrast adjustments using the vertical lightness
slider in the color wheel pane of the Colors window, it’s better to use the Contrast or
Levels filters to make adjustments to the overall lightness and darkness of an image.
Parameters in the Inspector
Shadows: Adjusts color channels in the darkest regions of the image. Click the color well
to open the Colors window, then adjust the color balance of the darkest portion of the
image. An eyedropper lets you sample any color in the Canvas to use for balancing the
image. You can also click the disclosure triangle to reveal individual red, green, and blue
channel sliders, with a numeric range from 0 (no color) to 0.5 (unaltered color) to 1.0
(maximum color).
• Red: Adjusts the color gain applied to the shadow range of the red color channel.
• Green: Adjusts the color gain applied to the shadow range of the green color channel.
• Blue: Adjusts the color gain applied to the shadow range of the blue color channel.
Midtones: Adjusts color channels in midtone regions of the image. Click the color well
to open the Colors window, then adjust the color balance of the range of color falling
between shadows and highlights. An eyedropper lets you sample any color in the Canvas
to use for balancing the image. You can also click the disclosure triangle to reveal red,
green, and blue channel sliders with a numeric range from 0 (no color) to 0.5 (unaltered
color) to 1.0 (maximum color).
• Red: Adjusts the color gain applied to the midtone range of the red color channel.
• Green: Adjusts the color gain applied to the midtone range of the green color channel.
• Blue: Adjusts the color gain applied to the midtone range of the blue color channel.
Highlights: Adjusts color channels in the lightest regions of the image. Click the color
well to open the Colors window, then adjust the color balance of the brightest portion
of the image. An eyedropper lets you sample any color in the Canvas to use for balancing
the image. You can also click the disclosure triangle to reveal red, green, and blue channel
slider with a numeric range from 0 (no color) to 0.5 (unaltered color) to 1.0 (maximum
color).
• Red: Adjusts the color gain applied to the highlights of the red color channel.
• Green: Adjusts the color gain applied to the highlights of the green color channel.
• Blue: Adjusts the color gain applied to the highlights of the blue color channel.
1029Chapter 19 Using Filters