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. Using Precision White and Black Point Parameter Targets allows the photographer to predict tonal separation in highlights and shadows with greater accuracy than with color management alone.
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 improved shadow and highlight detail in their digital 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 the work and viewing areas
Tone System Color Correction Routine
The Tone System Color Correction Routine is a six-step process for correcting the color bias in digitized images. All capture devices introduce their own color bias to the image being digitized, based on lighting, the capture device's settings, and inherent aspects of capture technology.
The Tone System Color Correction Routine consists of six steps: