college of visual and performing arts
visual resources library

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADJUSTING THE IMAGE IN PHOTOSHOP

The adjustments listed here are some of the more typical ones you might need to make.  This is not intended to be a course on Photoshop.  Refer to the Help screen in Photoshop for other instructions.

Rotation

From the Image menu, choose Rotate canvas.

You will be given the options to rotate clockwise, counter-clockwise, or flip horizontally or vertically.

Color Adjustment

To correct the color, from the Image menu, select Adjust, then Color Balance.

If the image has an overall color cast which is undesirable, you can correct it by adding the opposite color.  For example, if the image looks too yellow add blue.

You can adjust the color either by typing in a number in the color level boxes or by grabbing the triangle and dragging it to the left or right.  You will see the change in the image as you move the triangle.  Click OK when you have the desired result.

Auto Levels/Levels

If the image appears too dark or too light, you can adjust the levels either manually or by selecting the auto-adjust feature.  From the Image menu, select Adjust, then Auto Levels.  Unless you know what you're doing, it's best to do this first.  If you want to do the adjustment manually, from the Image menu, select Adjust, then Levels.  The levels are controlled by the three triangles under the input levels graph.  You can change the levels either by moving the triangles or by typing in numbers in the output levels box.  You will be able to see the preview for the correction.  When the image is properly adjusted click OK.

Brightness/Contrast

To adjust the brightness and contrast, from the Image menu, select Adjust, then Brightness/Contrast.  Brightness and contrast is adjusted in the same way as color by either typing in a number in the boxes or by grabbing the triangle and dragging it to the left or right.  You will see the changes as you move the triangle.  When the image is adjusted, click OK.

Hue/Saturation

To adjust the hue and saturation, from the Image menu, select Adjust, then Hue/Saturation.  Hue and saturation is adjusted in the same way as color and brightness/contrast by either typing in a number in the boxes or by grabbing the triangle and dragging it to the left or right.  You will see the changes as you move the triangle.  When the image is adjusted, click OK.

Sharpen

If the image does not look sharp, you can sharpen it with various sharpen features.  From the Filter menu, select Sharpen, then Unsharp Mask.  Unsharp Mask allows you the most control.  You can also use Sharpen, Sharpen Edges,

or Sharpen More.  If you use the Unsharp Mask, you can grab the detail pictured in the box and move it around so that you can use any detail you want on which to preview the overall changes.  By sliding the triangle to the left or right or by changing the numbers in the boxes, you have a lot of control over the outcome. 

Recommended adjustments are to set the Amount between 40 and 100; the Radius at 1.0; and the Threshold at 2.  If the Preview box is checked, you can see the changes as you make them.  When you have achieved the desired effect, click OK.

INSTRUCTIONS TO ACHIEVE A PRINTED IMAGE