Procedure

1. Image > Adjustments > Levels
   A window similar to the one shown in Figure 1 will open. Note the default numerical values, 0, 1.00 and 255 in the 3 Input Levels fields. These will change depending on which of the three sliders you use to adjust tonal values.
   
   Figure 1
   
   
2. Locate the "Channel" drop down menu at the top of the dialog box.
3. The default "Channel" is RGB. This means that with RGB selected you will be adjusting highlight, mid-tone and shadow values for all three colors at the same time.
4. Start with "Channel" RGB
5. Locate the upper Input Levels window. It shows a graph named a histogram, it is a map of the intensity of the tonal values in the image.
6. Along the bottom of the histogram window you will see three triangular sliders.
7. The slider on the left will change the intensity of the tonal values in the shadow areas.
8. The slider on the right will change the intensity of the tonal values in the highlights, or lighter areas.
9. The middle slider, controls the intensity of the tonal values in the mid-tone areas
10. Experiment with all three.
11. It's best to adjust the shadow and highlight sliders first, then fine tune with the mid tone slider.

Example Levels Adjustment Procedures

Figure 2: The Levels dialog box screen shots below show various Histograms for a photograph that is quite dark or over exposed. The image needs a boost in the highlight and mid tone areas. To lighten up the image you would move the highlight slider to the left to a point where the black curve begins to rise from the baseline: Figure 2

Figure 2

Figure 3: After adjusting the highlight slider and increasing the lightness of the image it still may be a bit dark in the mid tone areas. To boost the lightness of the mid tones the center mid-tone slider has been moved to the left. The default or starting value for the mid-tone slider is 1.00. A number greater than 1.0 like 1.36 shown in Figure 3 increases lightness. A number less than 1.0 removes lightness or darkens the mid tones.

Figure 3

Hue Saturation Lightness
After adjusting Levels, some images may benefit from either increasing or decreasing the saturation or richness or depth of some or all colors. You use the HSL or Hue Saturation Lightness tool to adjust color saturation or intensity.

1. Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation - This opens the HSL dialog box.
2. You will see the word "Master" in the Edit field. This means that you will be adjusting either the Hue, Saturation or the Lightness for all colors in the image at the SAME time.
   
3. Move the "Saturation" slider back and forth then return it to zero.
   
   
   
4. Move the "Lightness" slider back and forth then return it to zero.
5. Move the "Hue" slider back and forth then return it to zero.
6. Adjust them all a bit at the same time then return all sliders to zero.
7. The Saturation adjustment is the easiest to work with.
8. The hue adjustment is more difficult to work with and in most cases is best left alone.
9. The Lightness adjustment is straight forward and lightens or darkens the image.

Adjusting Hue Saturation for Specific Colors
You will now be adjusting the Saturation, Hue or Lightness for only the selected color. For example, if the saturation of all most colors in the image are good but red is a little weak, select Red in the Edit: drop down and increase the saturation to make the red richer and brighter.

1. Image > Adjust > Hue/Saturation.
2. Locate and open the Edit: drop down menu.
3. Select a specific color like Red or Blue.
   
   
   
4. Move the Saturation slider to adjust the saturation.
5. Experiment with the Hue and Lightness sliders.
6. Experiment with adjusting other colors.

How to Save Your Image File As a JPG or GIF Image

1. For details on how to use the File > Save For Web tool to save a JPG or GIF image for the web, please review our Photoshop Save For Web Guide. The Save for Web tool is only available in Photoshop versions 5.5 and newer.

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