3.4

Chapter 16 Making Image Adjustments 378
Luminance (L) describes the brightness of the selected color. An increase in luminance brightens
the selected color value. A maximum Luminance adjustment results in pure white. Conversely, a
decrease in luminance darkens the selected color. A minimum Luminance adjustment results in
pure black.
L
S
H
Adjusting the Color of the Image with the Color Controls
When you want to adjust the color values in an image, you must rst identify the colors that have
the most inuence 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.
For example, if the color value is closer to cyan than blue, you may decide to adjust the cyan Hue
value without adjusting the blue Hue value. Depending on the image, you may decide to adjust
both the cyan and blue Hue values to achieve the color values you’re looking for. There’s not just
one correct way of perfecting the colors in an image. Your approach should be based on the
image’s subject and the overall aesthetic you want to achieve.
Yellows
–180˚ 180˚
Reds
Cyans
Cyan remapped 4˚
Blues
Magentas
Reds
Greens
0˚
To adjust a color value in an image
1 Select a photo.
2 In the Color area of the Adjustments inspector or the Adjustments pane of the Inspector
HUD, click the color button that corresponds to the color you want to adjust to view its Hue,
Saturation, Luminance, and Range controls.