> PHOTOSHOP USER>^ FEBRUARY 2020[ 50 ]
Viktor FejesTHE HISTOGRAM
To effectively learn how to use Photoshop’s tonal
adjustments, we need to understand what it is
we’re looking at. There’s no better tool to do that
with than the dreaded histogram. It may look
complicated, but we can unravel its mysteries.
Open any image, then open the Histogram
panel (Window>Histogram). To set it up, click
on the four small lines at the top-right corner
of the panel to open its options, and choose the
Expanded View. Make sure everything else in
that menu is unchecked. The last thing you
need to do is choose RGB from the Channel
drop-down menu so you can start analyzing
the image.
The “mountain range” in the Histogram
panel is a graph that represents all the tonal
values in the image. The x values (horizontal)
go from total black to total white, and the
y values (vertical) go from 0 to 100%. If the
graph has taller bumps to the right, it’s a high-
key or brighter image. If there’s a huge spike at
the right end of the horizontal scale, the imageIn modern-day color photography, we tend to put more emphasis on our hues and neglect our
tones; however, exposure and contrast are like the foundation of a building, so a good image relies
more on tonal values than on color harmonies. The tools that can help us achieve tonal heaven
are all grouped together at the top of Photoshop’s list of adjustment layers: Brightness/Contrast,
Levels, Curves, and Exposure. In this article, we’re going to learn how to use these tools, and then
we’ll apply our newfound understanding of them to create a couple of popular looks through the
application of stylistic contrast.has highlight areas that are blown out; but if the spike is on the left,
then you have crushed blacks.