Adobe Photoshop CS6 Top 100 Simplified Tips and Tricks by Lynette Kent

IMPROVE A PHOTO with an auto setting
When you need to make a quick adjustment
to the brightness and contrast of an image,
you can first try Photoshop’s Auto button
correction, found in the Curves and the Levels
adjustments and now also in the Brightness
and Contrast adjustment. The Auto button in
both the Curves and Levels adjustments in
Photoshop CS6 applies a completely new and
very effective algorithm to enhance brightness
and contrast. Although you can apply any of
these adjustments to the Background layer,
you permanently alter pixels, and if you apply
the adjustments to a duplicated layer, you
double the file size. You can apply the same
new algorithm using the Auto button using
adjustment layers, without increasing file size
and still making the adjustments
nondestructive.
Some images might require more than one
adjustment. You can add multiple adjustment
layers and still not increase the file size or
permanently destroy pixels. Auto may not work
in all situations, and you can often improve the
image by editing with more precise tools.
However, when you need a quick edit, the Auto
button can be the fastest solution.
# 50
••••
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
1
2
1 Open an underexposed photo.
2 Click the Levels Adjustment
button.
Note: You can also click the
Adjustment Layer button in the
Layers panel ( ) and click Levels.
A
3
A The Levels Properties panel
opens.
3 Click Auto.
The brightness and contrast
change in the photo.
Note: The photo may look fine
this way, or you can continue
editing with more adjustments
and adjustment layers.
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