Black Point

Setting the Image's Black Point

Setting the black point is critical to defining the image's tonal range. The black point setting determines the image's maximum black and adjusts the image's tonal range to match the black point of the printer/media combination. If this step is performed in the Normal mode, it will also change the color of the shadow areas.

Info Palette

Make sure the Info Palette is visible on your screen. If it is not visible, select Window > Info.

Determining the Image's Black Point

While still in the Adjustment Layer Curves Dialog Box, make sure the value readout is set to Ink Percentage. Drag the White Point to the right until only the darkest areas of the image are visible. Make sure the Preview (eye icon at the bottom) is selected. This should help you visualize the shadow areas.

Determining the Black Point

Generally, try to pick a black point that is as neutral as possible and just slightly lighter than the darkest part of the image. You can hover the cursor over parts of the image and compare the value readouts in the Info Palette. You usually don’t want to pick the darkest spot in the image. The Black Point Target is designed to determine the first discernible value above maximum black in the image. If you choose the darkest part of the image for the Black Point, you won’t get maximum black in your print. I usually pick an area slightly lighter than the darkest part of the image. This gives me the full tonal range of the blacks available with my media/ink/printer combination. The Black Point is more subjective than the White Point since you are not adjusting the color with this setting. You may not want or need as much detail in your shadow areas. You can pick an even lighter shadow area to give the print more weight in the shadows.

Set the Black Point

Click the Black Point Eyedropper and use it to select the black point area you have determined.

Note: You may find the image looks too flat or too light in the shadows. Remember that you're viewing transmitted light from your monitor. Monitors can display a wider tonal range than reflective prints. In most cases, you'll want to process images for websites and other electronic displays with a lower black point (0 to 10) than for reflective inkjet printing.

On the next page, we will compare the Black Point-adjusted image with the original.

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