Modifying Auto Levels clipping thresholds

Capture One’s default settings for Auto Levels' allow 0.1% of the pixels to clip at the black and white points. This prevents those few pixels from adversely affecting the rest of the image in terms of contrast and tone.

The range for each is adjustable between 0.00 to 10%, but in most cases, it is unlikely that the value as high as 1% would be adopted even when taking a moderately large area of specular highlights into account.

Before deciding on the modified values, however, it is recommended that test prints are made to determine the individual characteristics of your printer, including specific paper and inks if the final destination is in print.

1. Select an image from the Browser.
   
   
2. Go to the Exposure tool tab and navigate to the Levels tool.
   
   
3. From the Level’s tool title bar, click on the Action menu, the (…) icon, and select Preferences…
   
   
   
   
4. Alternatively, select Capture One/Edit (macOS/Windows) -> Preferences from the main menu. The preferences dialog window opens.
   
   
5. Go to the Exposure tab. In the Levels Tool area, go the Auto Levels Clipping Thresholds section and add values to the relevant Shadows and Highlights text boxes.
   
   
   
   
6. Once the values are set, they are saved. As there is no need to close and re-open Capture One, you can return to making adjustments after closing the Preferences dialog.

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