The "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".
- In the Effects palette, double-click the "Channel Mixer" thumbnail. In the "New Layer" dialog, click "OK".
- In the "Channel Mixer" dialog, choose the proper color channel from the "Output Channel" menu. For example, to alter the blue-to-yellow ratio, you select the "Blue" channel.
- Try to adjust color with the "Source Channels" sliders, keeping your eye on the "Total" percentage. For example, to fix a blue cast, you reduce this value; to remove yellow, you push it over 100%.
- At the dialog bottom, check the "Monochrome" option. The image turns to grayscale.
- Redistribute luminance with "Red", "Green", "Blue" sliders to achieve the best possible tone and detail.
- If you need a kind of "color spot" effect, paint over (fill) with black color a certain area of the adjustment layer mask.
Please note, though, that when unlocked in Photoshop Elements, this tool has 2 important restrictions:
- The command is only available as an adjustment layer. (To adjust only the current layer, check "Group With Previous Layer" in the "New Layer" dialog.)
- You can't re-edit the settings of the created adjustment layer.
