AV News 194 - November 2013
Variations provides a simple method of fine tuning how much effect each
mouse click has when modifying either colour or density.
A simple slider control
can be moved either left
or right to decrease or
increase the effect from
fine to course with
variables in between.
However there is much
more to Variations than
just tweaking the overall
colours or density. By
default 'Midtones' are
selected for adjustment
when first opened. Many workers never bother to change this default setting
thereby missing out on the real power of 'Variations'. However by simply
clicking on one of the three other 'radio' buttons, adjustments to 'Shadows',
'Highlights' or 'Saturation' can be selected, thereby providing control over
specific tonal ranges. In each case adjustments can be applied to the whole
image or to selected areas. For example a pale blue sky may be enhanced in
colour and density whilst leaving foreground areas unchanged. If an area of the
original image is selected for adjustment before 'Variations' is opened then the
view within 'Variations' control box is of the selected area only.
Another very useful feature and one which tends to be overlooked is the
'Save' profile. This is particularly valuable if you have a series of images all
taken under similar condition at a particular venue all of which require the same
adjustments. You only need to make colour, density or saturation adjustments
to one image. After making the adjustments to your satisfaction clicking on the
'Save' button allows you to save an adjustment profile with a name of your
choice, the suffix .ANA will be added to the profile name by Photoshop. Later,
even days, weeks, or months later when editing other images from this same
series you can simply 'Load' your saved profile and all your previous
'Variations' adjustments regardless of how subtle or complex