The Picture Controls Tool

Adjust Picture Controls. Note that this tool is available with RAW pictures only.

Color Reproduction Process

Choose a color reproduction process. The choice of Picture Controls varies with the option selected. [Camera compatible] is the only option available for RAW pictures in NRW format or that were taken with a camera that supports the latest Picture Controls.

• [Latest Picture Control]: Colors are processed using the latest Picture Controls, including those identified as [Creative Picture Control]. Picture Controls and parameters added with recent cameras can be applied to RAW pictures taken with models that do not offer these options.
• [Camera compatible]: Colors are processed using the Picture Controls for the camera that took the picture. Choose this option for color reproduction matching that used on the camera.

Color Reproduction Process

The option selected by default in the case of pictures for which two color reproduction options are available can be chosen using [NEF (RAW) Processing] > [Color Reproduction Process] in the [Options] dialog (0 [NEF (RAW) Processing]).

Picture Control

Choose a Picture Control for the pictures in the current selection.

Picture Control Parameters

Adjust Picture Control parameters (0 Picture Control Parameters). Where available, parameters can be adjusted automatically by selecting [Auto]. Note that even in the case of pictures taken under similar conditions, the results may vary with exposure and the position and size of the subject in the frame.

[Reset]

Reset all parameters to their default values.

Picture Control Parameters

After choosing a color reproduction process, choose a Picture Control and adjust Picture Control parameters. The parameters available vary with the camera used and the color reproduction process and Picture Control selected.

Recent Picture Controls

The parameters below are available when [Latest Picture Control] is chosen as the color reproduction process or if the picture was taken with a camera that supports only the most recent Picture Controls (i.e., pictures for which the only available color reproduction process is [Camera compatible]).

[Quick sharp]

Quickly adjust levels for balanced [Sharpening], [Mid-range sharpening], and [Clarity]. Select [Auto] to let the camera adjust sharpening automatically. The various sharpening parameters can also be adjusted manually.

• [Sharpening]: Control the sharpness of details and outlines.
• [Mid-range sharpening]: Adjust the sharpness of patterns and lines at levels of detail between those to which [Sharpening] and [Clarity] apply.
• [Clarity]: Adjust overall sharpness and the sharpness of thicker outlines without affecting brightness or dynamic range.

[Contrast]

Adjust contrast. Choose lower values for less contrast, higher values for more contrast. You will not be able to adjust this parameter if the current Picture Control uses a custom curve.

[Brightness]

Adjust brightness without losing detail in highlights and shadows. You will not be able to adjust this parameter if the current Picture Control uses a custom curve.

[Saturation]

Control the vividness of colors. Choose lower values for more muted colors and higher values for more vivid colors.

[Hue]

Adjust hue.

[Filter Effect]

Simulate the effects of color filters on monochrome pictures.

[Toning]

Choose a base tint for results that mimic the effects of printing pictures on tinted paper.

[Adjust Saturation]

Choose the saturation of the tint selected for [Toning]. Saturation cannot be adjusted when [B&W] is selected for [Toning].

“Auto”

When the [Auto] Picture Control is selected, settings can be adjusted in the range [A−2] to [A+2].

Creative Picture Controls

An [Effect level] slider is displayed when a [Creative Picture Control] such as [Dream], [Morning], or [Pop] is selected. Use the slider to choose the effect level.

Earlier Picture Controls

If the color reproduction process menu offers a choice of color reproduction methods, the parameters listed below will be available when [Camera compatible] is selected.

[Quick Adjust]

Make across-the-board adjustments to Picture Control parameters. The effect of the selected Picture Control can be muted by dragging the slider left or heightened by dragging the slider right. [Quick Adjust] affects all Picture Control settings simultaneously and cancels any changes made separately to the individual parameters.

[Sharpening]

Control the sharpness of outlines. Choose higher values for more sharpening.

[Clarity]

Adjust clarity. This option is available only with pictures taken using cameras that support the [Clarity] parameter.

[Contrast]

Adjust contrast. Choose lower values for less contrast, higher values for more contrast.

[Brightness]

Adjust brightness without losing detail in highlights and shadows.

[Saturation]

Control the vividness of colors. Choose lower values for less saturation, higher values for more saturation.

[Hue]

Adjust hue.

[Filter Effect]

Simulate the effects of color filters on monochrome pictures.

[Toning]

Choose a base tint for results that mimic the effects of printing pictures on tinted paper.

[Adjust Saturation]

Choose the saturation of the tint selected for [Toning]. Saturation cannot be adjusted when [B&W] is selected for [Toning].