Online Image Magick, Level & WebTV
Level is all about contrast. From small adjustments of light/dark, black/white to extremes that can look like pop art. It can bring dulled, greyed or washed out looking images to life. It is a great enhancer for Emboss or Gray Shade Emboss, nearly doubling the relief effect!
IM's directions are as follows: "Adjust the level of image contrast. Give three point values delineated with slashes: black, mid, and white (like this- 10/1.0/65000). The white and black points range from 0 to MaxRGB (Red Green Blue), and mid ranges from 0 to 10."
The 3 sets of coordinates has been further described as follows:
There are three sets of Coords.
First / second / Third
You may use slashes or commas between coordinates.
1st: From 1 - 10 for middle tones.
my note: I have gone back and forth with every # from 1 to 10 and higher and can see little difference. More evident results may be accomplished by using 50 or higher.
2nd: From 0.1 to 0.9 the brighter colors being the lowest numbers.
my note: If you use, say a 0.3 for a middle coord and 60000 for the 3rd and your image comes out black, you need to press back and lower the 3rd # or raise the # of the middle coord and try again. Numbers greater than 1.0 will give a lighter, faded effect. Don't forget the decimal point!
3rd: Controlls darkness and lightness, black and white.
my note: I have used #s from ten thousand to one hundred fifty thousand, depending on my middle coord and what I'm trying to achieve. REMEMBER- Do Not Use Commas with these numbers. Another common over sight is adding one zero too many. If you keep getting a black image no matter what 3rd coord you use, go back and count your zeros. (Oops! Been there, done that)
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When I came across the faded image of the Tiger and Lady below, I just had to take it to IM to see if I could get better color and detail. This was the image that gave me major respect for the uses of Level
Original |
Level |
| As found in an image file | Level 8/.2/50000 |
I need to mention here that you really have to play with the 2nd & 3rd coords. From my limited experience I thought something more like 0.8 and about 60000 was going to be about right. That should give you some idea how many times I used my back button before I hit on 0.2 and 50000, which I think is about perfect.
The next example is much less dramatic in difference, but I think a good example of level just the same.
Original |
Level |
| As found in an image file | Level 8/.2/50000 |
Interesting effects can be achieved by using other enhancements and/or effects before Level. I use Normalize quite a lot. Equalize or an extreme Saturation are worthwhile to check out. I tried Equalize on the fae above and it totally broke up the image, but below on the tiger and the Marilyn image I felt it worked well. You just never know until you experiment.
Note: This is not to say interesting effects can't be achieved after level. It's just that this is as far as I go on the matter on this page. One for instance, using 1 or higher for a middle coord and then Negating can be interesting.
Original
A |
B |
C |
Level 8/0.2/50000 | Level 8/0.5/70000 | Equalize Level 8/0.5/70000 |
Another example of combining Level and Equalize. See Marilyn #3
Original
Marilyn
1 | 2 |
3 |
| Level 8/.8/110000 | Level 8/.2/30000 | Equalize Level 8/.3/10000 |
I went in with this image thinking with all that white, the darker coords would bring out all kinds of contrast. Instead I find the #2 & #3 Marilyn images very "Eat your heart out, Andy Warhol" and that darkening for contrast on #1 does less than nothing for this image.
Ya just never know.
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Enhancing Gray Shade Emboss with Level
Original |
Emboss |
| Original | Normalize Gray Shade Emboss 1000 |
A & B in the examples below demonstrate what a difference in light & darkness the third coordinate makes. C is to show the extra contrast to be gained from using smaller numbers for the middle coord.
Looking at the 3 examples below gives a clue to what is possible with B&W images.
A |
B |
C |
| Normalize Gray Shade Emboss 1000 Level 8/.6/60000 | Normalize Gray Shade Emboss 1000 Level 8/.6/40000 | Normalize Gray Shade Emboss 1000 Level 8/.3/40000 |
More about Enhancing Gray Shade Emboss can be found on My small kine tute on Enhancing Emboss
Using Normalize, Level & Negate
This is as far into the tip of the Level iceberg my experience has taken me. Play with the coordinates and different combinations of effects to find more uses for level. I hope my observations will lead to more discoveries and a more advanced tutorial!!!
Examples of using Level and Saturation together can be found on this page.
If you're feeling even more adventurous check out MrsK's Examples of using Negative Level!!!
This tutorial was inspired by knowledge gained from
Tigerlily and Susanna.
Thanks Ladies!
By ~Stranjer~
Related Pages...More ways to get weird at IM
...but first, the fine print
Warning: My tutorials are experimental works in progress. I will add to them as I learn more about the combinations of effects I am trying to describe and try to refine my techniques and explanations, There are two other factors that are important here.
1. All images are NOT created equal. What works with one, may not work with another.
2. Things change at Image Magick from time to time, sometimes radically. I try to keep these pages updated.
Color Wrapping Images
Enhancing Gray Shade (Emboss)
Mock Emboss
Equalize Experiments
Using Level
Using Chop
remove interior areas
Making BGs at IM
for Classic and Plus units