DIY Network

Digital Darkroom: Color and Light Correction A digital fix for off-color photos From "The Whole Picture" episode DTWP-111

NOTE: Because of technical issues, images for this article are not yet available. Please come back soon to see the article complete with images.

As in most things related to digital photography, the image you take with your camera doesn't necessarily have to be the final result. If an picture you shot indoors appears too dark or has an unnatural hue, you may be able to fix the problem (at least to some degree) in the "digital darkroom" using image-editing software on your computer.

To remove noise and color correct follow the steps below.

Note: Various image-editing programs offer different options and functionality, but most are functionally similar. Below are the steps we followed when we modified our image using our software--Adobe Photoshop®.

advertisement

• Load all your images to your computer.

• Select a photo to work with (figure A).

• Go to SAVE AS to save your image under a new name. In this way, you are archiving the original image. Your edits will be made on a copy while the original remains unchanged.

• Go to ENHANCE on the menu bar.

• Select ADJUST SMART FIX (figure B).

• In the dialog box, adjust the color and brightness of the image by moving the sliding bar.

  Important: Keep the preview box checked to see the effect in action.
  When you're happy with the adjustments, you can click OK.

• For further refinement, go to ENHANCE and select ADJUST COLOR. Now select ADJUST HUE/SATURATION. This dialog box will enable you to manipulate the color and saturation even more – including intensity, purity and lightness or darkness of the image (figure C). When you're happy with your adjustments, click OK.

• When you are happy with your image, hit SAVE.

• To print the image, hit PRINT (figure D).

RESOURCES :

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Photography
Model: 002864235X
Author: Steven Greenberg
Order this book from Amazon.com.
Prentice Hall
Paramus, NJ 07652

Digital Photography For Dummies
Model: 0764506463
Author: Julie Adair King
Order this book from Amazon.com.
Hungry Minds, Inc.

Complete Digital Photography
Model: 1584500077
Author: Ben Long
Order this book from Amazon.com.
Charles River Media
Website: www.charlesriver.com/