Colour Correcting > About Colour Correcting > Adjusting the Colour Range >

# Increasing Image Contrast

The slider controls directly below the histogram are the Input Level controls. These controls are used to set the range of colour values used in the image:

- The white triangle on the right sets the maximum value for the range.
- The black triangle on the left sets the minimum value for the range.

You can use the Input Level controls to increase the contrast in the image. For example, if you set the minimum value to 50, pixels with colour values less than 50 are remapped to 0 (black). Pixels with colour values greater than 50 are remapped to the appropriate values. This darkens the image and increases the contrast in the shadow areas.

You can also set the maximum and minimum limits for the colour range by entering the values directly in the Minimum and Maximum Input fields on either side of the histogram.

To increase the contrast in an image:

1. Display the Histogram menu.
2. Click the Master, Shadows, Midtones, or Highlights button to select the parts of the image you want to modify.
3. From the Channel Selection box, select Luminance, Red, Green, or Blue as the channel you want to work with.
4. Position the cursor on the black triangle below the histogram. Drag right to darken the shadow areas in the image.

   The value of the lower limit for the colour range appears in the Minimum Input field.

5. Position the cursor on the white triangle below the histogram. Drag left to brighten in the highlight areas in the image.

   The value of the upper limit for the colour range appears in the Maximum Input field.

   NoteIf you are in Luminance, you can invert the image by reversing the order of the black and white triangles.
6. Click Process to apply the changes to the clip. To cancel the changes, click Reset Basics.