Tone System Overview

The Tone System is a process for color correcting digital images. It incorporates color management and specifically addresses systemizing white point and black point settings for specific printer/media combinations. The use of Precision White and Black Point Parameter Targets allows the photographer to predict the tonal separation in highlights and shadows to a higher degree than with color management alone.

 
 
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Black Point Target

Black Point Target

Six-Step Tone System Color Correction Routine

By following the six-step Tone System Color Correction Routine and applying visual evaluation results from the Precision White and Black Point Parameter Targets, photographers and digital printers can achieve more accurate color, richer tonal ranges, and better shadow and highlight detail in their digitally produced images.


Precision White and Black Point Parameter Targets

In addition to accurate color representation, images processed with the Tone System Color Correction Routine and systemized with Precision White and Black Point Parameter Targets can achieve full scale, full substance tonal rendition.

The Tone System assumes an appropriate digital workflow exists, including;

  • 16 Bit, RAW format workflow

  • Non-destructive image processing (adjustment layers)

  • Color managed system

  • Controlled lighting in work and viewing area

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Tone System Color Correction Routine

The Tone System Color Correction Routine is a six-step process for correcting the color bias of digitized images. All capture devices lend their own color bias to the image being digitized based on the lighting, the capture device's settings, and inherent aspects of capture technology.

Tone System Color Correction Routine consists of six steps:

  1. White Point Setting (Highlight Tone)

  2. Black Point Setting (Shadow Tone)

  3. Midpoint Tone Setting (Density Correction)

  4. 1/4 and 3/4 Tone Settings (Contrast Correction)

  5. Channel Tones Settings (Color Cast Correction)

  6. Vibrance Setting (Color Purity)