[felix.reichardt]

Originally Posted by nldunne

Felix

An idea that may help. It is similar to my use of my GRAY SCALE/VALUE FINDER.

If nothing else works = try to scan a KODAL GREY CARD into your P C and save it someplace handy.
Next, open your work image - in your art program
Next, open your GREY CARD and DRAG it on top of a GREY TONE in your image over your mid grey tone in your work copy image.
Next, outline your work copy and in SATURATION TOOL in HUE SATURATION, reduce the SATURATION '0' (B/W) all at one go
Next, with the BRIGHTNESS TOOL in HUE SATURATION - MATCH the GREY TONE on the WORK IMAGE to the GREY CARD for brightness, density, contrast and one is not brighter than the other. A good magnifying lens is a good help here
Next, in the SATURATION TOOL, SLOWLY, add back the color a bit at a time until just the two GREY'S MATCH and one is not brighter than the other
Next, click DONE and SAVE
Next, do a check for CONTRAST, SHARPNESS keeping both GREYS even in brightness, contrast, and all.
Next, do a DONE, SAVE
Next do a FORMAT->RESIZE to a posting size
Next, do a FILE ->SAVE AS and make a JPG file for posting or saving or..........

It helps me to stay away from 'guessing' my tone levels.

You may be surprised at your results. It does not take that long to do it - but I would work slowly.

Good Luck

Thank you so much for your detailed description but to be honest I'm a bit clueless what this should help with? You mean to get the tones correct in the original or the "toned down" version? Sorry, maybe I'm a bit slow it's getting late now.