Channel Mixer

Channel Mixer thumbnailThe "Channel Mixer" command lets you adjust an image by re-mixing its color channels. To use it efficiently, bear in mind the three sets of complementary colors: "Cyan - Red", "Magenta - Green", and "Yellow - Blue".

  1. In the Effects palette, double-click the "Channel Mixer" thumbnail.

    Tip. If the Shortcuts+ set is loaded, you can call the "Channel Mixer" dialog by pressing [Shift+Ctrl+M] keys.

  2. In the dialog box, choose the proper color channel from the "Output Channel" menu. For example, to alter the blue-to-yellow ratio, you select the "Blue" channel.
  3. Try to adjust color with the "Source Channels" sliders, keeping your eye on "Total" percentage. For example, to fix a blue cast, you reduce this value; to remove yellow, you push it over 100%.
In Photoshop Elements, the "Channel Mixer" can edit only the current layer. To adjust a layered image as a whole:
  1. In the Layers palette, select the front (uppermost) layer.
  2. Press [Alt+Ctrl+Shift+E] to merge all visible layers to a new layer.
  3. Edit the created layer with "Channel Mixer".

NB Using the Channel Mixer for B&W conversion is explained here.

Previous Next

Channel Mixer dialog