Adjusting color balance globally
In this mode, the tool replicates the previous color balance tool and is compatible with settings made in Capture One 5.0 and later versions. As a result, the lightness slider is deliberately disabled.
- Go to the Color tool tab and locate the Color Balance tool.
- Click on the Master tab and drag the pointer (the circular orange icon located in the center by default) around Master Color Wheel to set the desired color hue. Moving the pointer away from the center increases saturation. To get the pointer back to the center, just double-click on the Master Color Wheel.
- Fine-tune the hue by clicking and dragging the tab on the wheel or by using the Left and Right arrow keys on the keyboard.
- Click and drag the slider tab located on the left of the wheel to adjust the saturation (the color wheel pointer will be updated automatically) or use the Up and Down arrow keys.
Adjusting color balance in the shadow, mid-tone or highlight areas
Setting the color balance separately in the shadows, mid-tones, and highlights can be achieved using either the individual color wheels in the 3-way tool or the single wheels displayed separately under their respective tabs. Functionally, they are the same tools, so adjusting the color wheels in the 3-way tool will update the other wheels. The smaller 3-way color wheels are offered for convenience, however, the much larger individual color wheels enable greater precision.
Although there is no set routine for adjusting the color wheels, it is a good idea to start with the shadows, then highlights or mid-tones, and as an optional step fine-tune the overall balance with the Master setting. Some zooming in and out of the image will benefit precise adjustment, especially with highlights where subtle use of the color balance tool is recommended.
First, select the hue you want to add either by clicking on the color wheel or by clicking and dragging the tab to the chosen hue. Then adjust Saturation using the slider to maintain the hue selection, followed by the density by using the Lightness slider to suit. Note that all sliders can be adjusted using a mouse scroll wheel. The tool ships with a number of presets, so you can use one of these as an initial setting, and then fine-tune it to your taste.
- Navigate to the Color tool tab and go to the Color Balance tool.
- Click on the 3-way tab to display all three color wheels or the separate Shadow, Mid-tone or High tab to display the individual larger color wheels.
- Set the desired hue by clicking and dragging the tab around the circumference or simply click and drag the circular orange pointer (located in the center by default) within the appropriate wheel. Moving the pointer away from the center towards the perimeter increases saturation. Fine-tune the hue, if desired, by clicking on the wheel's tab and dragging towards the chosen hue, while observing the image in the Viewer.
- Adjust the saturation using the slider to maintain the chosen hue (the color wheel’s pointer will be updated automatically).
- Click and drag the tab on the Lightness slider to adjust the density to taste.
- After individual tonal adjustments, you may also adjust the Master color wheel slightly to fine-tune the overall color balance if needed.
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