Extremely Fast Color Correction

Many times when I start working with pictures (particularly in banners), I'll come across a photo that is washed out, dull, too green, etc. Here is an EXTREMELY quick way to enhance the photos on a picture using Photoshop Levels and the eydropped tools. This tutorial should be good for beginners.

Step 1

Open Photoshop and open a photograph. I am going to use this picture

Step 2

Go to Image > Adjustments > Levels. A dialog box will pop up.Click the eyedropper that defines a picture's black point.

Define Black Point

While keeping the dialog box open, click a part on the photograph that is the blackest area. If you need to zoom in press CTRL and +. To zoom out press CTRL and -. You can use the scroll bars on the sides to move around.

I am going to set the point right in the mare's tail as I believe that is the darkest spot. If you click and then decide that you don't like that spot, you can just click somewhere else. Keep clicking around until you find a spot you like.

Select Blackest Point

Now, select the eyedropper that grabs the lightest point. The the exact same again, except this time put the point on the lightest (preferably white) area.

Select White Point

Selected White Point

Click OK, you're done! Here are some 'before and after' examples. Again, this is VERY BASIC correction. For more advanced color/hue/contrast correction you will want to use CURVES which is under Image > Adjustments > Curves.

Before and After