Learning Photoshop Color Correction

Learn how color works inside digital images, and get the basic skills you need to evaluate histograms, correct color, make creative image adjustments, and prepare images for output.

Introduction

• Welcome
• Understanding the scope of this course
• Using the exercise files

1. Understanding Color Correction

• What is color correction?
• Color correction vs. creative image adjustment
• Understanding when to correct photos
• Comparing RGB and CMYK color modes
• Assigning color profile spaces
• Using grayscales and neutrals for color correction
• Working with skin tones
• Understanding file format options

2. Color Correction Workflow

• Using Photoshop, Camera Raw, Bridge, and Lightroom in the color workflow
• Working with Bridge for image management
• Identifying the Photoshop color workflow for this course

3. Color Image Fundamentals

• Understanding pixels as the building blocks of an image
• No such thing as color images
• Understanding bit depth and grayscale
• Understanding the histogram's display of "color"
• Neutralizing an image

4. Getting to Know the Photoshop Color Correction Tools

• Arranging the Photoshop workspace
• Choosing nondestructive editing tools
• Introducing color tools
• Navigating in an image

5. Evaluating and Fixing Physical Characteristics

• Adjusting dimensions, resolution, and modes
• Straightening an image
• Cropping an image
• Finding and evaluating patterns: Noise, posterization, and screens

6. Evaluating and Correcting Color

• Using histograms
• Identifying and removing color casts
• Evaluating and correcting highlights in a landscape
• Adding saturated postcard-style color enhancements
• Finding and correcting neutrals
• Evaluating skin tones and making basic corrections
• Identifying neutrals and color casts

7. Finishing an Image

• Retouching an image
• Sharpening an image
• Understanding color spaces, profiles, and gamuts for output
• Exporting an image for print
• Exporting an image for use on the web and for presentations

8. Sample Project: Putting It All Together

• Cropping and straightening
• Evaluating the image
• Performing curves adjustments
• Retouching and sharpening
• Preparing for print and web use

9. Correcting Color in Camera Raw

• Getting started in the Camera Raw interface
• Evaluating the image in Camera Raw
• Making temperature adjustments in Camera Raw
• Performing curve corrections in Camera Raw
• Retouching and sharpening in Camera Raw
• Exporting

Conclusion

• Next steps