Aperture Performing Image Adjustments
K Apple Computer, Inc. © 2006 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. The owner or authorized user of a valid copy of Aperture software may reproduce this publication for the purpose of learning to use such software. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, such as selling copies of this publication or for providing paid for support services. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate.
1 Contents Chapter 1 5 6 9 11 12 13 15 19 19 22 23 An Overview of Image Adjustments An Overview of Adjustments in Aperture Using the Adjustment Controls Working with Tools in the Toolbar Performing Adjustments in Full Screen Mode Applying Adjustments to a Group of Images Working with Adjustment Presets Remove All Adjustments from Selection Command Using the Color Meter Using an External Editor Understanding How to Read Histograms Chapter 2 29 30 31 33 34 35 36 37 37 38 40 41 42 43 44 44 46 49 54 54 55
56 57 58 59 60 62 63 64 64 65 67 69 71 78 78 81 81 82 86 86 87 88 94 95 96 97 98 104 104 106 107 108 109 111 112 115 Index 4 Working with the Straighten Controls Rotating Images with the Straighten Tool Rotating Images with the Straighten Controls Working with the Crop Controls Cropping Images with the Crop Tool Displaying the Cropped Image Without the Crop Overlay Cropping Images with the Crop Controls Working with the Exposure Controls Correcting Exposure in the Image Adjusting Saturation in the Image A
1 An Overview of Image Adjustments 1 Aperture provides adjustment controls to help you improve the appearance of your images. You can make image adjustments using the Adjustments Inspector or the Adjustments HUD. This chapter provides basic information about making adjustments to images, such as correcting red-eye and adjusting exposure, levels, and white balance. This chapter covers: Â An Overview of Adjustments in Aperture (p. 6) Â Using the Adjustment Controls (p.
An Overview of Adjustments in Aperture Adjustment controls are found in the Adjustments Inspector and the Adjustments HUD. The controls are the same in each. The Adjustments Inspector is shown on the right side of the screen. The Adjustments HUD is a floating version of the Adjustments Inspector that can be placed anywhere onscreen, allowing you the most flexibility in how you use your screen workspace.
Showing the Adjustment Controls You can use menu commands, keyboard shortcuts, or the buttons on the right side of the toolbar to show and hide the Adjustments Inspector. Adjustments Inspector button To show the Adjustments Inspector, do one of the following: m Choose Window > Show Adjustments (or press Control-A). m Click the Adjustments Inspector button in the toolbar.
To show the Adjustments HUD, do one of the following: m Choose Window > Show Adjustments HUD (or press H). m Click the Adjustments HUD button in the Full Screen mode toolbar. For more information about Full Screen mode, see “Performing Adjustments in Full Screen Mode” on page 12.
Showing Additional Adjustment Controls The first time you show either the Adjustments Inspector or the Adjustments HUD, only the Exposure, Levels, Highlights & Shadows, White Balance, and Color adjustments are available. To add additional adjustments: m Choose a type of adjustment from the Add Adjustments pop-up menu at the top of either the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD.
To switch to the Viewer from the Book Layout Editor, Webpage Editor, or Light Table, do one of the following: m At the top of the Browser, click the Show Viewer button. Show Viewer button When you have finished making the adjustment, click the Show Viewer button again to return to the previous view. m If you have a system with more than one display, choose Alternate from the Viewer Mode pop-up menu in the control bar, then perform the adjustments on the second display.
Resetting Parameter Values You can reset all of the parameters for an adjustment to their default values. To reset all parameter values for an adjustment: m Click the Reset button to the right of the adjustment name. Reset button Turning Adjustments On and Off Use checkboxes to turn adjustments on and off. Turning adjustments on and off is a good way to verify the cumulative effect of adjustments on your image. Turn an adjustment on or off by selecting or deselecting the checkbox.
Performing Adjustments in Full Screen Mode Aperture provides a Full Screen mode to create the best onscreen work environment for performing color adjustments. Full Screen mode displays an image against a black background and contains only a few interface elements. It is highly recommended that you perform adjustments in Full Screen mode to achieve the best results possible. For more information about Full Screen mode, see the Aperture User Manual, available in the Aperture Help menu.
Applying Adjustments to a Group of Images You can apply an adjustment or group of adjustments to a range of images by first applying the adjustments to one image, and then lifting the adjustments from the first image and stamping them on the other images using the Lift and Stamp tools and the Lift & Stamp HUD. To lift adjustments from one image and stamp them on a group of images: 1 In the toolbar, select the Lift tool (or press O). The pointer changes from the Selection tool to the Lift tool.
4 If necessary, remove any unwanted adjustments by clicking the Adjustments disclosure triangle in the Lift & Stamp HUD, selecting the unwanted adjustments, and then pressing Delete. Select an adjustment and press Delete to remove it. 5 In the toolbar, select the Selection tool (or press A), then do one of the following: Â Drag a selection rectangle around the images to which you want to apply the adjustments.
Working with Adjustment Presets If you frequently use the same adjustment parameter settings, Aperture provides the ability to save these settings as adjustment presets. You can create new adjustment presets, rename and rearrange adjustment presets, and delete adjustment presets you no longer use. When you delete an adjustment preset, adjustments already applied to your images are unaffected. Each individual adjustment has its own set of presets accessible via its Preset Action pop-up menu.
3 In the Adjustment Presets dialog, enter a name for the new adjustment preset, then click OK. The parameter settings are displayed in the Summary column. Enter a name for the preset here. The adjustment parameter settings are saved as an adjustment preset, and the adjustment preset is now available for use in the Preset Action pop-up menu for the adjustment.
Renaming Adjustment Presets You can rename an adjustment preset at any time. To rename an adjustment preset: 1 In the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, choose Manage Presets from the Preset Action pop-up menu for the adjustment. You can rename an adjustment preset, for example, when you want to fix a spelling error. 2 In the Adjustment Presets dialog, double-click the name of the adjustment preset you want to change. Double-click an adjustment preset’s name to rename it.
Organizing Adjustment Presets Each time you create an adjustment preset, it is added to the bottom of the list of presets in the Adjustment Presets dialog and Preset Action pop-up menu. As this list grows, it can become difficult to locate a specific adjustment preset in a long list of presets. Therefore, you can rearrange the order of the presets in the Adjustment Presets dialog.
Deleting Adjustment Presets You can delete an adjustment preset at any time. Any adjustments that were previously applied using the deleted preset are unaffected. To delete an adjustment preset: 1 In the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, choose Manage Presets from the Preset Action pop-up menu for the adjustment. 2 In the dialog that appears, select the adjustment preset you want to delete, then press the Delete key. The adjustment preset is deleted.
Sampling Color Values The Color meter displays the color values of the pixels in the image beneath the pointer or the target area of the Loupe. To use the pointer to sample the color values in an image: m Place the pointer over the area of the image where you want to sample the color values, and view the values at the top of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD. Color meter Note: When you select a large image with multiple adjustments applied, ellipsis points (...
Choosing a Color Value Option In Aperture, you can set the Color meter to display RGB, Lab, CMYK, HSB, or HSL color values. To choose a color value option for the Color meter: m In the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, choose a color value option from the Adjustment Action pop-up menu. Choose a color value option here.
Choosing a Color Value Sample Size You can also set the sample size (pixel area) Aperture uses to determine color values. To choose a color value sample size for the Color meter: m In the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, choose an appropriate color value sample size from the Adjustment Action pop-up menu. Choose a color value sample size here.
To use an external editor in Aperture: 1 Select an image in the Browser. 2 Choose Images > Open With External Editor (or press Command-Shift-O). Aperture creates a new master image file (leaving the original unchanged), converts it to the chosen file format, and then opens the image file in the selected external editor. The image file is tracked as a new master file stacked with the original master file. 3 When you’ve finished modifying the image in the external application, save it.
Evaluating Exposure Histograms are good tools for evaluating exposure. For example, a series of peaks in the darker side of the histogram often indicates an underexposed image that consists mainly of dark pixels. A series of peaks in the center of the histogram often indicates a balanced exposure because a majority of the pixels are concentrated within the midtones of the histogram. They’re not too dark or too bright.
Evaluating Tonality and Contrast Although histogram graphs are good tools for evaluating an image’s exposure, you shouldn’t interpret histograms for exposure information only, because the shape of the histogram is also influenced by the tonality in the scene. You need to take the subject of the image into account when evaluating its histogram. For example, images shot at night are naturally going to have a majority of peaks in the darker side of the histogram.
Likewise, histograms can also depict lack of contrast in an image. For example, an image of a rainbow in the fog lacks contrast. Without directional lighting, there aren’t any highlights or shadows in the image. In this case, the peaks of the histogram are concentrated in the center and do not come close to either the dark or bright sides.
Creating a Good Work Environment Before you begin making color adjustments to your images, it’s important to pay attention to the following: Â Set your display to its highest-resolution setting. This will give you the best view of your image. Â Make sure you are employing good color management. This means that your displays and printers are calibrated and their profiles are up to date.
2 Making Image Adjustments 2 You use adjustment controls when you want to perfect an image. The type of adjustment control you use depends on the aspect of the image you are trying to change. This chapter provides detailed information about using adjustment controls to perfect your image. This chapter covers: Â Working with Automatic Adjustments (p. 30) Â Working with the Red Eye Correction Controls (p. 37) Â Working with the Spot & Patch Controls (p. 44) Â Working with the Straighten Controls (p.
Working with Automatic Adjustments Aperture comes with a set of automatic adjustment controls. These controls analyze the image and apply an adjustment to the image based on that analysis. This is a good way to make a quick correction to an image before fine-tuning the adjustment with the manual adjustment controls.
Using the Auto Exposure Button When you want to quickly adjust the exposure of a RAW image, you can use the Auto Exposure button. Depending on the exposure Aperture sets for the image, you can always fine-tune the image’s exposure setting using the Exposure controls. For more information about manually adjusting the exposure of an image, see “Working with the Exposure Controls” on page 64.
To automatically correct the exposure of a RAW image: 1 Select an image. 2 In either the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, click the Auto Exposure button. Click the Auto Exposure button to automatically set the exposure for the image. Click the Reset button to reset the image back to its original exposure value. The exposure of the image is automatically corrected. If you need to fine-tune the image’s exposure setting, see “Working with the Exposure Controls” on page 64.
Using the Auto Levels Combined Button When you want to quickly adjust the levels of an image based on total luminance values—red, green, and blue channels combined—you use the Auto Levels Combined button. Red, green, and blue channels are adjusted by the same amount based on the total luminance. You use the Auto Levels Combined button when you want to correct the contrast of the image without modifying the color cast of the image.
Using the Auto Levels Separate Button When you want to automatically adjust the levels of an image based on individual evaluations of the red, green, and blue channels, you use the Auto Levels Separate button. Red, green, and blue channels are adjusted based on the evaluation of each channel. You use the Auto Levels Separate button when you want to correct the color cast in the image in addition to correcting the contrast.
Setting the Auto Levels Options Aperture provides the option to set both the black and white clipping point parameters for the Auto Levels adjustments. Modifying the black and white clipping points from their default value of 0% expands the tonal range of the image. One reason for expanding the tonal range of an image is to preserve shadow and highlight detail when the image is printed.
To adjust the White Clip parameter: 1 If necessary, choose Show Auto Adjust Options from the Adjustment Action pop-up menu in the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, then do one of the following: Use the White Clip slider and value slider to add tolerance to Auto Levels adjustments when evaluating colors beyond white. Â By default, the White Clip slider is set to the left side of the slider control.
Working with the Red Eye Correction Controls You use the Red Eye tool and the Red Eye Correction adjustment controls to reduce the red-eye effect in the eyes of the subjects in your image. You use the Red Eye tool to place targets on the red eyes of the subjects in the image, and then you can adjust the radius and sensitivity of the target overlays using the Red Eye Correction controls. Aperture desaturates the red pixels within the target overlay area, reducing the effect.
4 Click a red eye in the image to place a Red Eye target overlay on it. The Red Eye target overlay is placed over the red eye, and the red pixels within the Red Eye target overlay are desaturated. 5 Repeat step 4 until all of the red eyes in your image are removed. Adjusting the Size of Red Eye Target Overlays Aperture fixes red-eye in your images by desaturating the red pixels within the Red Eye target overlay area. It’s a good idea to fit each Red Eye target overlay to the size of the eye it covers.
You can also change the size of any Red Eye target overlay that you’ve already placed on an image. To change the size of an existing Red Eye target overlay: 1 Display the image at full size (100 percent) by clicking the Zoom Viewer button in the control bar (or pressing Z). 2 Click the Red Eye target overlay to select it. The Red Eye tool changes to a hand icon to indicate that you can select the Red Eye target overlay. A hand icon appears to indicate that you can select the Red Eye target overlay.
Adjusting the Sensitivity of Red-Eye Target Overlays When you select a red eye in a picture, Aperture automatically chooses the area within the target overlay circle where the desaturation is applied. In a few cases, the area chosen by Aperture might be either slightly too wide or slightly too small (typically including a few pixels in the eyelid skin, or missing a few red pixels inside the pupil).
To adjust the sensitivity of a Red Eye target overlay: 1 Click the Red Eye target overlay to select it. 2 In the Red Eye Correction area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, adjust the Sensitivity parameter by doing one of the following: Use the Sensitivity slider and value slider to fine-tune the area within the Red Eye target overlay where desaturation occurs. Â Drag the Sensitivity slider.
Moving Red Eye Target Overlays Once placed, a Red Eye target overlay can always be moved. To move a Red Eye target overlay: 1 Make sure the Red Eye tool is selected, then hover over the Red Eye target overlay you want to move until the target changes to a hand icon. Drag the Red Target overlay over the red eye in the image. The hand icon indicates that you can drag the target overlay rather than place a new one. 2 Drag the Red Eye target overlay to the appropriate position over the subject’s eye.
Deleting Red Eye Target Overlays You can always delete a Red Eye target overlay. To delete a Red Eye target overlay, do one of the following: m Select a Red Eye target overlay in the image, then click the Delete button in the Red Eye Correction area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD. Click the Delete button to delete a Red Eye target overlay. m Command-click a Red Eye target overlay. Command-click a Red Eye target overlay to delete it. The Red Eye target overlay disappears.
Working with the Spot & Patch Controls You use the Spot & Patch tool and adjustment controls to touch up imperfections in the image caused by sensor dust and other environmental conditions. Aperture provides two methods for fixing these imperfections. The method you use depends on the area surrounding the blemish in the image. If the surrounding area is fairly similar to the problem area, such as a solid color, you use the “spotting” method.
To spot an image: 1 Select an image. 2 It’s a good idea to set the image to display at full size (100 percent) to prevent image scaling from obscuring details. To display an image at full size, click the Zoom Viewer button in the control bar (or press Z). 3 Select the Spot & Patch tool in the toolbar (or press X). The pointer changes to a target, and the Spot & Patch HUD appears. 4 Click the blemish area to place the Spot & Patch target overlay on it.
Patching Your Images When you need to clone pixels from a different area of an image to fix the area where the blemish is, you use the “patching” method. Patching is similar to spotting, except that there are some additional steps. You first place a Spot & Patch overlay (yellow) over the blemish, and then you place a source target overlay (white) over the area you want to clone. The pixels in the Spot & Patch target overlay are replaced by the pixels copied from the source target overlay.
4 Click the blemish area to place a Spot & Patch target overlay on it. Click a blemish to place a Spot & Patch target overlay on it. A yellow target overlay is placed over the blemish, and the blemish is replaced by the pixels that surround it. This yellow target overlay is the destination target overlay. 5 Do one of the following: Option-click the area you want to clone to place a source target overlay on it.
You can adjust the angle of the cloned pixels within the destination target overlay. Adjusting the angle rotates the cloned pixels over the destination area. This is particularly useful if you’re cloning an area that has visual elements, such as a pattern or line, that are at a different angle from elements in the destination area. The angle adjustment allows you to match the angle of the pixels within the destination target overlay. You can adjust the angle of the cloned pixels.
Using the Spot & Patch Controls When using the Spot & Patch tool to spot or patch your images, you can modify the appearance of the pixels within the target overlays using the Spot & Patch adjustment controls. You can also adjust the size of Spot & Patch target overlays. Adjusting the Size of Spot & Patch Target Overlays You can change the size of a Spot & Patch target overlay before and after it’s placed on an image.
To change the size of an existing Spot & Patch target overlay: 1 Display the image at full size (100 percent) by clicking the Zoom Viewer button in the control bar (or pressing Z). 2 Click a Spot & Patch target overlay to select it. A hand icon appears to indicate that you can select the Spot & Patch target overlay. A hand icon appears to indicate that you can select the Spot & Patch target overlay rather than place a new one.
Adjusting the Softness Within Spot & Patch Target Overlays You can also change the “softness” of cloned pixels within Spot & Patch target overlays. Softness describes how well the area within the target overlay blends in with the surrounding image area. The Softness parameter controls the blending of pixels between the center of the Spot & Patch target overlay and the circumference. The higher the Softness parameter value, the closer to the center the pixel blending occurs.
Adjusting the Opacity Within Spot & Patch Target Overlays Another method of modifying Spot & Patch target overlays to make cloned pixels blend in better with surrounding pixels is to adjust the opacity of pixels in the target overlay. The higher the Opacity parameter value, the more the cloned pixels obscure the original pixels they cover. You can adjust the opacity of the cloned pixels.
Adjusting the Detail Within Spot & Patch Overlays In addition to adjusting softness and opacity in Spot & Patch target overlays, you can adjust the amount of detail, such as texture or grain, that is preserved in the cloned pixels. You can adjust the amount of detail in the cloned pixels.
Viewing the Corrected Image Without Spot & Patch Target Overlays After retouching the blemishes in your image, you can view the corrected image with the Spot & Patch target overlays turned off. To view the corrected image with the Spot & Patch target overlays turned off: m Select the Selection tool in the toolbar (or press A). The Spot & Patch target overlays disappear, but the effects of the Spot & Patch adjustments remain visible.
Deleting Spot & Patch Target Overlays You can delete a Spot & Patch target overlay at any time. To delete a Spot & Patch target overlay: m Select a Spot & Patch target overlay in the image, then click the Delete button in the Spot & Patch area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD. Click the Delete button to delete a Spot & Patch target overlay. m Command-click the Spot & Patch target overlay. Command-click a Spot & Patch target overlay to delete it. The Spot & Patch target overlay disappears.
Working with the Straighten Controls When you shoot photos, environmental conditions often make it difficult to frame an image that is level in relation to the horizon—either real or virtual. In Aperture, you can straighten an image so that the horizon in the image is parallel to the bottom and top edges. Before Straighten adjustment After Straighten adjustment You can use two different methods to straighten your images. You can use either the Straighten tool or the Straighten adjustment controls.
Rotating Images with the Straighten Tool Rotating an image with the Straighten tool is as simple as selecting the tool and dragging within the image to make it straight. However, it’s important to understand that although the image appears to enlarge as you rotate it, Aperture actually crops the image so that it fits within its rectangular border without blank edges appearing on the sides. To straighten your image using the Straighten tool: 1 Select an image.
Rotating Images with the Straighten Controls You can also straighten an image using the Straighten adjustment controls. Using these controls provides more precision. To straighten an image using the Straighten controls: 1 Select the image. 2 If the Straighten controls are not shown in the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, choose Straighten from the Add Adjustments pop-up menu.
Working with the Crop Controls You use the Crop tool and Crop adjustment controls when you want to improve the composition of your image by trimming the edges, or when you want to change the aspect ratio of the image. For example, you can change an image’s aspect ratio from 4 x 6 to 3 x 5. After Crop adjustment Before Crop adjustment There are two methods for cropping an image: you can either use the Crop tool to manually crop the image, or you can use the Crop adjustment controls.
Cropping Images with the Crop Tool Cropping an image with the Crop tool is the easiest method. You simply select the Crop tool and drag a rectangle over your image to exclude the unwanted areas. The Crop HUD appears, providing additional controls for setting the aspect ratio of the image. To crop an image using the Crop tool: 1 Select an image. 2 Select the Crop tool in the toolbar (or press C). The Selection tool changes to the Crop tool, and the Crop HUD appears.
After adding a Crop overlay to an image, you can always change its size and shape. To change the size and shape of a Crop overlay: m Drag a resize handle on the Crop overlay to change the size of the crop. Drag a resize handle to resize the Crop overlay. You can adjust the placement of the crop by moving the Crop overlay across the image. To adjust the placement of the crop: m Drag the Crop overlay to the appropriate position. Drag the Crop overlay to adjust its position.
You can also set the Crop overlay to a specific aspect ratio using the Crop HUD. To set the aspect ratio of the Crop overlay: 1 In the Crop HUD, choose an aspect ratio from the Common Sizes pop-up menu. Choose a standard aspect ratio for the crop from the Common Sizes pop-up menu. The Crop overlay updates to match the chosen aspect ratio. The “Constrain cropping tool to” checkbox in the Crop HUD is automatically selected.
Cropping Images with the Crop Controls You use the Crop adjustment controls when an extra level of precision is required. For example, if a client wants an image cropped to a precise dimension that is different from the standard aspect ratios, you use the Crop controls. Aperture uses a simple coordinate system to position the Crop overlay on the image. You simply set X and Y coordinates to specify the position of the bottom-left corner of the crop.
Working with the Exposure Controls You use the Exposure adjustment controls to set the exposure, saturation, contrast, and brightness, as well as black, gray, and white tint values. Correcting Exposure in the Image If you’ve over- or underexposed an image, you can correct it by adjusting the Exposure parameter. The amount of latitude you have—the visually acceptable range of f-stops—depends on the file type and the bit depth of the image.
To correct the exposure of an image: 1 Select an image. 2 In the Exposure area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, adjust the Exposure parameter by doing one of the following: Use the Exposure slider and value slider to correct the image’s exposure. Â Drag the Exposure slider. Â Click the left or right arrow in the Exposure value slider to change the exposure of the image by tenths of an f-stop, or drag in the value field.
To change the saturation of an image: 1 Select an image. 2 In the Exposure area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, adjust the Saturation parameter by doing one of the following: Use the Saturation slider and value slider to adjust the saturation of colors in the image. Â Drag the Saturation slider. Â Click the left or right arrow in the Saturation value slider to change the saturation of the image by 10 percent increments, or drag in the value field.
Adjusting Brightness in the Image You can adjust the Brightness parameter when you want to lighten or darken your image. When you make a brightness adjustment, the brightness values of the midtone pixels in the image change the most. You can change the brightness of the image temporarily to see how the adjustment affects details in the shadows, midtones, and highlights. For more precise control over the range of tonality in the image, consider using the Levels adjustment controls.
To adjust brightness in an image: 1 Select an image. 2 In the Exposure area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, adjust the Brightness parameter by doing one of the following: Use the Brightness slider and value slider to lighten or darken the image. Â Drag the Brightness slider. Â Click the left or right arrow in the Brightness value slider to change the brightness of the image by 5 percent increments, or drag in the value field.
Adjusting Contrast in the Image If you want to adjust the difference between the dark and bright areas of the image, you can modify the Contrast parameter. An image with very little midtone tonality is considered to have a lot of contrast, whereas an image with considerable midtone tonality is considered to have minimal contrast. Often, an image with too much midtone tonality looks flat. Adding contrast to the image can add depth to it.
To adjust the contrast in an image: 1 Select an image. 2 In the Exposure area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, adjust the Contrast parameter by doing one of the following: Use the Contrast slider and value slider to modify the contrast between light and dark colors in the image. Â Drag the Contrast slider. Â Click the left or right arrow in the Contrast value slider to change the contrast of the image by 5 percent increments, or drag in the value field.
Setting the Tint of the Black, Gray, and White Values in the Image You use the Black, Gray, and White Tint color wheels when you want to selectively remove color casts from the shadows, midtones, and highlights in the image. Color casts are often caused by shooting in mixed lighting and unnatural lighting situations where the difference in the color from the mixture of multiple types of source lights can produce a color variance in a specific tonal range in an image.
Correcting the Tint of the Shadows with the Black Tint Eyedropper You use the Black Tint eyedropper to remove color casts from the shadows in your images. Before Black Tint adjustment After Black Tint adjustment To set the tint of the shadows in an image: 1 Select an image. 2 If necessary, click the Tint disclosure triangle in the Exposure area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD to reveal the Tint color wheels, and select the Black Tint eyedropper.
3 Position the target area of the Loupe over the darkest pixels in the image, then click. The tint (hue and saturation) of the black values in the image is set to remove the color cast in the shadows. Important: Make sure that there are no bright pixels in the target area of the Loupe. Bright pixels in the target area can skew the black tint calculation, making the image appear different than intended.
To set the tint of the midtone values in an image: 1 Select an image. 2 If necessary, click the Tint disclosure triangle in the Exposure area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD to reveal the Tint color wheels, and select the Gray Tint eyedropper. Click the disclosure triangle to reveal the Tint color wheels. Select the Gray Tint eyedropper to activate the Loupe. The pointer changes to the Loupe, showing a magnified view of the target area.
Correcting the Tint of the Highlights with the White Tint Eyedropper You use the White Tint eyedropper to remove color casts from the highlights in your images. Before White Tint adjustment After White Tint adjustment To set the tint of the highlight values in an image: 1 Select an image. 2 If necessary, click the Tint disclosure triangle in the Exposure area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD to reveal the Tint color wheels, and select the White Tint eyedropper.
3 Position the target area of the Loupe over the lightest (white) pixels in the image, then click. The tint (hue and saturation) of the white values in the image is set to remove the color cast in the highlights. Important: Make sure that there are no dark pixels in the target area of the Loupe. Dark pixels in the target area can skew the white tint calculation, making the image appear different than intended.
Manually Setting the Tint of the Shadows, Midtones, and Highlights in an Image You can also manually adjust the tint of the shadow, midtone, and highlight values in the image using the Black, Gray, and White Tint color wheels. To manually adjust the tint of the shadow, midtone, and highlight values in an image: 1 Select an image.
Working with the Levels Controls You use the Levels adjustment controls when you want to manually set the tonal values of the shadows, midtones, and highlights in an image. By default, Aperture sets 0 as pure black and 1 as pure white. Constraining the white and black point values evenly redistributes the tonal range of the pixels between black and white. Reapportioning the luminance values increases the tonal range and contrast in the image.
To adjust levels in an image based on luminance: 1 Select an image. 2 Show the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD. 3 By default, the Levels histogram is off. Turn it on by selecting the Levels checkbox. White Levels slider Black Levels slider The Levels histogram appears. 4 Choose Luminance from the Channel pop-up menu. 5 Do one of the following: Drag the Black and White Levels sliders to where they touch the outside of the histogram graph.
You can also use the Gray Levels slider if you need to adjust the brightness values of the midtones while limiting the brightening effect in the black and white points. The brighter areas of shadows and darker areas of highlights are affected, but the effect tapers off as it nears the dark blacks and bright whites.
Showing Quarter-Tone Levels Controls When you need additional control over tonal values between the midtones and shadows as well as the midtones and highlights, you use the Quarter-Tone controls. For example, if you need to add contrast to the midtone values independently of the black and white point settings, you use the Quarter-Tone Levels sliders.
Selectively Adjusting the Brightness of an Image with the Shadow and Highlight Brightness Levels Sliders You can selectively adjust the brightness of the shadows and highlights in the image using the Shadow and Highlight Brightness Levels sliders. To selectively adjust the brightness of the shadows and highlights in an image: m Drag the Shadow and Highlight Brightness Levels sliders until the brightness values of the shadows and highlights in the image are correct.
Adjusting the Levels of the Red Color Channel You adjust the levels of the red color channel when you want to remove red and cyan color casts in the image. Before Red Levels adjustment After Red Levels adjustment (moved Gray Levels slider right) Red adjustments Effect Move Black Levels slider right Adds cyan to the shadows, removing red. Move Gray Levels slider left Adds red to the midtones, removing cyan. Move Gray Levels slider right Adds cyan to the midtones, removing red.
Adjusting the Levels of the Green Color Channel You adjust the levels of the green color channel when you want to remove green and magenta color casts in the image. 84 Before Green Levels adjustment After Green Levels adjustment (moved Gray Levels slider right) Green adjustments Effect Move Black Levels slider right Adds magenta to the shadows, removing green. Move Gray Levels slider left Adds green to the midtones, removing magenta.
Adjusting the Levels of the Blue Color Channel You adjust the levels of the blue color channel when you want to remove blue and yellow color casts in the image. Before Blue Levels adjustment After Blue Levels adjustment (moved White and Gray Levels sliders left) Blue adjustments Effect Move Black Levels right Adds yellow to the shadows, removing blue. Move Gray Levels slider left Adds blue to the midtones, removing yellow. Move Gray Levels slider right Adds yellow to the midtones, removing blue.
Working with the Highlights & Shadows Controls You use the Highlights & Shadows adjustment controls to correct the exposure in images shot in complex lighting conditions. For example, you can use the Highlights & Shadows controls to correct the exposure of the darker areas (shadows) of an image that was otherwise correctly exposed for silhouette. You can also use the Highlights & Shadows controls to retrieve detail in extremely bright areas of an image.
To adjust the highlights in an image: 1 Select an image. 2 In the Highlights & Shadows area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, adjust the Highlights parameter by doing one of the following: Use the Highlights slider and value slider to adjust the brightness values in the image’s highlights. Â By default, the Highlights slider is set to the left side of the slider control.
To adjust the shadows in an image: 1 Select an image. 2 In the Highlights & Shadows area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, adjust the Shadows parameter by doing one of the following: Use the Shadows slider and value slider to adjust the brightness values in the image’s shadows. Â By default, the Shadows slider is set to the left side of the slider control.
Adjusting the Radius of the Highlights & Shadows Controls You use the Radius parameter controls to adjust the area around each pixel that Aperture uses to assess the tonal area that each pixel inhabits. The larger the radius value is, the larger the area used to determine each pixel’s tonality.
Adjusting the Color Correction for the Highlights & Shadows Controls You use the Color Correction parameter controls to adjust the amount of saturation applied during shadows and highlights adjustments. However, the saturation adjustment is most noticeable in the shadows.
Adjusting the High Tonal Width of the Highlights & Shadows Controls You use the High Tonal Width parameter controls to set the range of highlights that Aperture adjusts with the Highlights controls. Increasing the High Tonal Width parameter value widens the range of highlight tonal values that are adjusted toward the midtones. If you want to limit the highlights adjustment to a range of highlight values that are closer to white, you decrease the High Tonal Width parameter value.
2 Adjust the High Tonal Width parameter by doing one of the following: Â Drag the High Tonal Width slider to the right to increase the tonal range of the highlights adjustment, and drag the slider back to the left to reduce the tonal range. Â Click the left or right arrow in the High Tonal Width value slider to adjust the tonal range of the highlights adjustment by single increments, or drag in the value field. The left arrow reduces the tonal range, and the right arrow increases it.
Adjusting the Low Tonal Width of the Highlights & Shadows Controls You use the Low Tonal Width parameter controls to set the range of shadows that Aperture adjusts with the Shadows controls. Increasing the Low Tonal Width parameter value widens the range of shadow tonal values that are adjusted toward the midtones. If you want to limit the shadows adjustment to a range of shadow values that are closer to black, you decrease the Low Tonal Width parameter value.
Aperture uses the new Low Tonal Width setting to determine the range of shadow tonal values that are taken into account during a shadows adjustment. The tonal range begins at pure black, and increasing the Low Tonal Width parameter value broadens the tonal range to include tonal values closer to the midtones. Working with the White Balance Controls You use the White Balance adjustment controls to change the color temperature and color tint of an image.
Adjusting White Balance in the Image with the White Point Eyedropper When you have pixels in your image that should be pure white, you can use the White Point eyedropper tool to automatically set the color temperature and tint of the image. All you have to do is select a portion of the image that contains neutral gray pixels with the White Point eyedropper, and Aperture white balances the image instantaneously. To adjust the color temperature and tint with the White Point eyedropper: 1 Select an image.
The white balance of the image is adjusted. The color tonality of the image is shifted either cooler or warmer, depending on the white-balance adjustment. Important: Make sure that there is as little digital noise in the target area of the Loupe as possible. Digital noise can skew the white-balance calculation results, introducing a color cast that wasn’t previously there. A simple way to avoid errant pixels is to increase the magnification of the Loupe by pressing Command–Shift–plus sign (+).
Adjusting the Tint of the Image with the Tint Controls You can also manually adjust the tint of an image using the Tint parameter controls. You use the tint parameter controls when you need to fine-tune the white balance adjustment by neutralizing the remaining green or magenta tint. To manually adjust the tint of your image: 1 Select an image.
Working with the Color Controls You use the Color controls to selectively adjust the red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, and yellow colors in an image using the Color controls in the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD. Each color has individual hue, saturation, and luminance controls.
About Hue, Saturation, and Luminance Hue (H) describes the actual color itself. Hue is measured as an angle on a color wheel. Moving a Hue slider in Aperture remaps the color from its original position on the color wheel to the new position indicated by the slider. Hue adjustments are often made to match the color of the same subject in different images. Adjusting the hue of an image is particularly useful when the subject you shot moved between various lighting conditions.
When you want to adjust the color values in an image, you must first identify the colors that have the most influence on the colors you want to change. It’s important to understand that you’re adjusting the colors of the image within the RGB spectrum; therefore, you reduce yellow when you increase blue, you reduce magenta when you increase green, and so on. When you want to isolate a color and adjust its hue, it’s important to identify the color’s location on the color wheel.
Note: You can also click the Expanded View button to expand the Color area to show the controls for all colors at the same time. Click the Expanded View button to view the controls for all colors at the same time. 3 If necessary, adjust the Hue parameter by doing one of the following: Use the Hue slider and value slider to remap the hue of the selected color. Â By default, the Hue slider is set to the center of the slider control.
The right arrow remaps the hue in the following ways: Â Red hue moves toward yellow. Â Yellow hue moves toward green. Â Green hue moves toward cyan. Â Cyan hue moves toward blue. Â Blue hue moves toward magenta. Â Magenta hue moves toward red. Â By default, the Hue value slider is set to 0.0. Double-click the number in the value slider, then enter a value from –180.0 to 180.0 and press Return.
6 The Range parameter limits or expands the chromatic range of the adjustment. Adjust the Range parameter by doing one of the following: Use the Range slider and value slider to adjust the chromatic range of the color adjustment. Â By default, the Range slider is set to the center of the slider control. Drag the slider to the left to decrease the range of the selected color, and drag it to the right to increase the range of the selected color.
Working with the Monochrome Mixer Controls You use the Monochrome Mixer adjustment controls when you want more control over converting your image from color to black and white than simply desaturating it gives you. The Monochrome Mixer allows you to adjust tonal relationships and contrast in an image by adjusting the red, green, and blue channels independently. The effects of a monochrome adjustment are similar to attaching a color filter to a camera lens and shooting black-and-white film.
To convert a color image to black and white using a Monochrome Mixer preset: 1 Select an image. 2 If the Monochrome Mixer controls are not shown in the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, choose Monochrome Mixer from the Add Adjustments pop-up menu (or press Control-M). 3 Choose a Monochrome Mixer preset from the Preset pop-up menu. The image updates to reflect the effect of the preset you chose. The following table lists the Monochrome Mixer presets and their effect on an image.
Using the Monochrome Mixer Controls You use the Monochrome Mixer’s Red, Green, and Blue parameter controls when a Monochrome Mixer preset does not produce the effect you were looking for or needs to be fine-tuned to suit your image. The key to the successful use of the Monochrome Mixer is to experiment with changing values for the Red, Green, and Blue parameters until you are satisfied with the effect on the image.
Working with the Color Monochrome Controls The Color Monochrome adjustment controls are useful when you want to perform a basic conversion from color to black and white while simultaneously applying a color tint to the image’s midtones. Before Color Monochrome adjustment After Color Monochrome adjustment (applied blue tint) To convert a color image to black and white with a color tint: 1 Select an image.
4 By default, the color intensity is set to the maximum value of 1.0. Adjust the intensity of the color tint by doing one of the following: Â Drag the Intensity slider to the left to decrease the intensity of the color in the image’s midtones, or drag the slider back to the right to increase its intensity. Â Click the left or right arrow in the Intensity value slider to modify the intensity by 10 percent increments, or drag in the value field.
3 By default, the intensity of the sepia color is set to the maximum value of 1.0. Adjust the intensity of the sepia color by doing one of the following: Â Drag the Intensity slider to the left to decrease the intensity of the sepia color in the image’s midtones, or drag the slider back to the right to increase its intensity. Â Click the left or right arrow in the Intensity value slider to modify the intensity by 10 percent increments, or drag in the value slider.
To reduce digital noise in an image: 1 Select an image. 2 If the Noise Reduction controls are not shown in the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, choose Noise Reduction from the Add Adjustments pop-up menu. 3 In the Noise Reduction area of the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, reduce digital noise in the image by doing one of the following: Use the Edge Detail slider and value slider to maintain details in areas of contrast.
4 Maintain edge detail in areas of high contrast in the image by doing one of the following: Â Drag the Edge Detail slider to the right to increase sharpness in areas of the image with high contrast, or drag the Edge Detail slider back to the left to reduce the sharpening effect. Â Click the left or right arrow in the Edge Detail value slider to adjust edge detail by 2 percent increments, or drag in the value field.
Working with the Edge Sharpen Controls You use the Edge Sharpen controls when you want to sharpen the detail in your image. The Edge Sharpen controls adjust the luminance values in the image, increasing the contrast between light and dark pixels that touch, creating an “edge.” Increasing the contrast between these neighboring light and dark pixels gives the image a crisper, or sharper, appearance.
3 Sharpen the image by doing one of the following: Use the Intensity slider and value slider to adjust the strength of the sharpening adjustment. Â Drag the Intensity slider to the right to increase the amount of sharpening applied to the image, and drag the Intensity slider back to the left to reduce it. Â Click the left or right arrow in the Intensity value slider to adjust the sharpening by 2 percent increments, or drag in the value field.
5 For maximum accuracy, the Edge Sharpen adjustment sharpens the image in three passes that appear to occur simultaneously—an initial sharpening pass, where a majority of the sharpening occurs, followed by two subsequent sharpening passes. These subsequent passes are called falloff. Adjust the amount of sharpening applied in the subsequent sharpening passes by doing one of the following: Use the Falloff slider and value slider to adjust the strength of the subsequent sharpening passes.
Working with the Sharpen Controls You use the Sharpen adjustment controls when you need to modify Sharpen control parameters that were applied to an image in a previous version of Aperture. To sharpen an image using the Sharpen controls: 1 Select an image. 2 If the Sharpen controls are not shown in the Adjustments Inspector or Adjustments HUD, choose Sharpen from the Add Adjustments pop-up menu.
A Add Adjustments pop-up menu 9 adjustment controls adding to HUDs or Inspectors 9 displaying 7 resetting 11 Adjustments HUD adding controls to 9 adjustment controls 6 displaying in Full Screen mode 12 opening 7 Adjustments Inspector adding controls to 9 adjustment controls 6 ambient light 27 Angle slider 48 angles of pixels 48 aspect ratios 62 Auto Exposure button 31 Auto Levels adjustment options 35 Auto Levels Separate button 34 automatic adjustments 30–36 Auto Exposure button 31 Auto Levels Combined but
converting to sepia tone 108 correcting. See color casts, correcting color desaturating 6 Full Screen mode and 12 levels adjustments 78 temperature.
F file formats 64 filters mimicking 104 Monochrome Mixer preset filters 105 flat images 69 f-stops 64 Full Screen mode 12 G grain in images 53 Gray Levels adjustments 80 Gray Levels slider 80 gray point values 80 Gray Tint color wheel 71, 77 Gray Tint eyedropper 71, 73 green channels adjusting separately 34, 104 color correction levels adjustments 78, 82, 84 converting to grayscale 6 in histograms 8 in luminance 33 Monochrome Mixer adjustments 106 green filter preset 105 Green slider 106 green tones increa
color correction 82 gray levels 80 luminance levels 78 Quarter-Tone Levels adjustments 81 Levels controls 26 Levels histogram 79 Lift & Stamp HUD 13 lifting image adjustments 13 Lift tool 13 lightening images 65 lighting, color casts and 71 Light Table 10 Loupe tool 72 Low Tonal Width slider 88, 93 luminance adjustments Auto Levels Combined button 33 in histograms 8 levels adjustments and 78 M magenta tones adding 84 neutralizing 97 removing 84 Mid Contrast slider 88, 92 midtones black-and-white images 107
color correction levels adjustments 78, 82 converting to grayscale 6 in histograms 8 in luminance 33 Monochrome Mixer adjustments 106 Red Eye Correction adjustments 6, 37–43 deleting overlays 43 moving overlays 42 Red Eye tool 37 resizing overlays 38 sensitivity of overlays 40 viewing images without overlays 41 Red Eye tool 37 red filter preset 105 Red slider 106 red tones adding 83 darkening 105 removing 83 removing blue or yellow color casts 71, 85 color casts 71 colors.
T U Temp controls 96 temperature, color 94, 95, 96 Temp slider 96 texture in images 53 tints applying 6, 107 applying to midtones 107 correcting shadows 72 in midtones 73 removing 71 resetting color wheels 77 setting manually with color wheels 77 Tint parameter 97 White Balance adjustments 94 White Point eyedropper 95 White Tint eyedropper 75 Tint slider 97 tonality expanding tonal range 35 highlights adjustments 88, 91 in histograms 23, 25 luminance adjustments 79 range included in adjustments 89 sh
