White balance correction (for non-RAW photos)

Method One: Levels

This is the easiest and easiest way.

1. Upload a photo to FSH (in the example of a photo from flicker).
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2. Add a layer with the property “Levels adjustment” (Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Levels).
This method is more correct than Edit -> Image adjustment -> Levels, because in this case, with any changes, the original image will remain on the bottom layer. In general, I strongly recommend every time you change the image to create a copy of the layer and always use the Layer> New Adjustment Layer.

Levels adjustment layer settings

3. In the layer settings, click on the Gray Point pipette. The cursor should turn into a pipette. We click this tool on any gray point in the image (preferably as close as possible to “50% gray” for a perfect result). Here, for example, the ideal candidate is pavement asphalt. You can click as much as you want in search of a better option. That's all actually! :)

Gray Point Pipette

Before and after.

Second way: Color "filter layer" (Overlay)

In some cases (when there is no gray in the photo for example) the previous method does not roll. Then you can try to apply a filter overlay layer.

1. Ship the image in FSH (photo again from flicker).

Here is such a typical buggy BB

2. First, use the previous method "Levels". And we see that it is not much better.

Method "Levels"

3. Having a little crushed, we proceed to the second step, to use the filtering overlay layer. Duplicate the photo layer and change the Blending mode to Overlay.

Duplicate layer

4. Apply the Average filter (Filter> Blur> Average) on the duplicate layer and then apply layer inversion (Ctrl + I).

result of the Average filter.

5. To improve the result, use Hue / Saturation (Image> Adjustments> Hue / Saturation or Ctrl + U) and carefully move Hue and Saturation. Hue removes color haze, and Saturation intensity. Doing this until you like the result.

window Hue / Saturation.

Before and after.

The third way (the most difficult!): Manual editing white balance

The most effective way, but also the most difficult. If the previous two methods did not help achieve the desired result, then move on.

1. The same picture as in the first method.

What a city, in disgusting BB

2. Look at the Channels tab (Window> Channels), and change the Thumbnail size to Large. We do this by right-clicking with the mouse on a gray background.

change Thumbnail Size

3. We are looking for one that is normally exposed among the channels. This photo has a Green channel. We immediately notice that red is underexposed, and blue is overexposed, so they need to be edited ...

Channels tab

Rule the colors:

After you have selected the channels for editing, let's proceed to gutting them. :)
1. Click on the RGB channel to select all channels.

RGB channel

2. First step: as in the first method, we will find gray as the base. In this photo, he is on the pavement pavement. Use the magnifying glass (Z) and increase the area of ​​the photo on the right.

Magnify this piece of photo with a magnifying glass.

3. Create a layer Levels adjustment (Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Levels).

Levels Adjustment layer

4. For further work with the Levels adjustment layer, we need to see the Channels. To do this, close the Levels window and drag the Channels tab outside the window. The tab should appear on the side of the previous window (see screenshot). Now double click on the Levels adjustment layer - the Levels window should reappear (see screenshot).

should be like this

5. As you remember, we need to fix the Red and Blue channels. Let's start with red. Press Ctrl + 1 to select the Red channel. On the Levels window, drag the middle slider to the left. We do this until the exposure of the Red channel becomes as close as possible to the exposure of the Green channel. There will be about 1.80.

(While OK it is not necessary to click!)

Editing levels (Levels) channel Red.

6. Now gut channel Blue. Press Ctrl + 3 to switch to the Blue channel. On the Levels window, drag the middle slider to the right. We do this until the channel exposure becomes as close as possible to the Green channel exposure. This photo is about 1.65. Now click OK.

Editing levels (Levels) channel Blue

Final touches:

Now a little “polish”, for maximum results.

1. Select the topmost layer and press Ctrl + E (i.e. Merge down) to merge the layers.

Layers merged

2. Apply the Average filter (Filter> Blur> Average). The Average filter will create a fill with the “average color of the image”. He turned us neutral blue.

after the average filter

3. Since “medium color” is a neutral blue color, we must reduce the amount of blue quite a bit. Before doing this, we destroy the previous two steps by simply clicking on the “Modify Levels Layer” in the History tab (Window> History).

Two layers and history tab.

4. Look for a gray area with a “blue haze” and magnify Magnifier (M) with a magnifying glass.

Increase this area.

5. Then double click on the Levels adjustment layer - the Levels window should open. Being inside the window, go to the Blue channel (Ctrl + 3). Carefully move the middle slider to the right until you like the result. Let us stop at 0.49.

Edit channel levels Blue

Check result:

Again we apply the Average filter, and we see a neutral gray! Olya-la! We did it!

Middle color = neutral gray

Use the eyedropper tool (Color Picker) to find out the RGB color values: R: 90 G: 96 B: 106. This is very close to neutral gray (R: 96, G: 96, B: 96), this is a very good result! We return the result back to the application of Average, and rest on our laurels!

Before and after: