Photoshop - Levels

Uploading/Nondestructive Editing

To upload an image: File/Open/Select image

Nondestructive Editing:

Nondestructive editing enables you to make changes to an image without damaging the original image image.

The Tarn - Ulverston 

To create an adjustment layer, on the right hand side of the screen click on then drag and drop background copy to 'create new layer'. 

Levels

The levels tools allows you to adjust the contrast levels on the image. Holding the alt key down, start by moving the white slider, the screen will turn white, as the slider is moved to the left, the image will slowly come into view. The more white that comes through, the whiter the image will look. If too much white comes though, parts of the image will look washed out.

An example of what happens to the image when too much white has come through by moving the white slider too far to the left.

The same applies when using the black slider, by moving it to the right. Use the same principle as the white. Clicking on the middle eye dropper and clicking on the image will change the colour balance, clicking on different parts of the image will change the balance each time.

Levels and colour balance altered

Curves tool

Ensuring the background copy of the image is selected, go to image, adjustments, curves. It can also be accessed to the right of Photoshop (it has a square symbol with a line going through the middle). Once the background copy has been selected, the image becomes destructive. The image cannot be reverted back to its original form once the background copy has been edited. However, If a mistake is made, go to window at the top of the screen  and click on history. This will bring up a box containing all the actions that have been made to edit the image. You can drag the action and drop it onto the bin symbol at the bottom of the box to erase that action. 

The basic rule to remember when using the curves tool is, when moving the line that runs though the middle of the box to the lower half of the square will darken the image, moving the line to the top of the box will make the image lighter.

The most commonly used shape used on the curves tool is an S shape. The steeper the S curve the more contrast in the image. Tip - when you click on the image, a little circle will flash up on the curve line, this is telling you which part of the image is on that point, so for instance, if i wanted to darken the water i click on the water and i will be able to see at which point to move the line.

Using the curves tool gives more control over which parts of the image you want to lighten or darken. 

Making some adjustments to the vibrance/saturation 

When editing is complete it is always best to flatten the image. Flattening the image ensures all the layers are saved so parts of the image aren't lost when its saved.

The result - Before and after. 

This photograph was taken by myself at Alderly Edge. Using the levels and curves tools has dramatically increased the green tones to make the image look much brighter and less washed out. You could almost describe it as a 'healthier' image.

Image before and after