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[ 91 ]A more practical use for the Adjustments menu version of Levels
is applying it to smart objects. First, convert your layer, stack, or group
to a smart object (Filter>Convert for Smart Filters), and then choose
Image>Adjustments>Levels. This retains the flexibility of an adjustment
layer, including the ability to change both opacity (but not fill) and blending
mode, just like with other smart filters.
Now when you select channels individually up front for the above duo-
tone effect, however, Levels will be grayed out under Adjustments, but
there’s a workaround, of course. If you want to use only two channels for
your effect, simply go to the third one in the Levels Properties panel and
drag the Input sliders all the way to the right, then drag the Output sliders
all the way to the left. This makes the channel effectively black, but it’s
nondestructive. Continue working on the other two channels as you like.
This channel Levels control also works in CMYK and multichannel,
where it’s more useful for preparing spot or plate output, where you need
specific control over density.
Finally, Levels also has both presets and an Auto option. To be honest,
I don’t use either of them. The controls are so easy to get to that I just
haven’t bothered with presets, and the Auto settings are identical to those
mentioned in my previous article, “Color Grading with Curves.” n
Duotone
“Black” channel settings applied to the Blue channelALL IMAGES BY SCOTT VALENTINE