Adjusting the levels is similar to adjusting the contrast, but gives you more control. More importantly, it adds depth to an image and punches up the color just a bit. The process takes seconds, and is something I do at the beginning and end of post processing.

 

 

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Above on the left shows the original Kerkythea rendering. The right shows the same image after adjusting the levels. Here is how it is done:

 

 

 

Open your file in Photoshop.

At the top, choose Image>Adjustments>Levels

 

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When the dialog box appears, you will notice the histogram (black curves) with three triangular sliders just below. The histogram represents the tonal range of the image. Typically, it is best to utilize the full range of dark and light. This can be done by simply dragging the black triangular slider to the right until it meets the point where the histogram begins to rise. The same can be done with the white triangular slider by moving it to the left until it meets the right side of the histogram.

 

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The image below shows the new location of the black triangular slider and the white triangular slider both at the edge of the histogram. Obviously, every image will be different, but the concept will be the same.

 

levels_location3 _cropped

 

 

 

The final result has more contrast and is clearer to understand.

 

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