4b. Color Balance Tool: Using Sliders


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If you need to edit an image that doesn't contain any colors that should be neutral (a rather unlikely scenario), or if you wish to introduce a certain color cast to your image, you will need to use the Sliders method of color balancing. Note that the SmartColor color balance can only be applied in Neutrals mode. You have the option of using either two or three sliders.

Two sliders control the color balance by specifying color Temperature and Tint. The sliders are initialized to zero, which leaves the original unchanged. Use the Temperature slider to make the image warmer (more orange) or cooler (more blue). The Tint slider can be helpful correcting skin tones (like a TV tint control), adding magenta or green to the image. As you adjust a slider you will see the effect in the Preview image. Here we have warmed up the image:

Three sliders are used to control the color balance: cyan/red, magenta/green, and yellow/blue. The sliders are initialized to zero, which leaves the original unchanged. Move the first slider to the left to increase cyan, or to the right to increase red. (Since adding red is the same as removing cyan, it is impossible to control red and cyan independently; likewise for magenta/green and yellow/blue.) As you adjust a slider you will see the effect in the Preview image. Based on the appearance, make further adjustments as necessary. Here we have introduced a cast into the image:

If you find that the sliders do not respond quickly enough, you can change their behavior using the Preview Live Sliders checkbox which is described in the Preferences section of this User Guide.

When you are happy with the slider settings, do not return to the Neutrals method of color balancing. If you do, your color balance slider settings will be undone.

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