The Tone System by Roland Miller

The Tone System

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.

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.

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

Even without all the above components, the Tone System can dramatically improve the quality of digital image output.
For more information on these topics please see the FAQ's and Links sections of The Tone System web site.

Tone System Color Correction

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 lighting, capture device 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. Saturation Setting (Color Purity)

 

Precision White Point and Black Point Targets

Precision White Point and Black Point Targets

Precision White Point/Black Point Targets are used to visually determine the white and black point settings and systemize digital printing for specific printer/media combinations. Proper white and black point systemization can greatly improve your digital output. By visually judging a print's shadow and highlight tonal separation in a color managed printing work flow, you can achieve more consistent results and produce full-scale, full-substance prints.