Using ML-Features and Filters Effectively in Photomator

In Pixelmator Pro and Photomator, you can use Machine Learning (ML) features and filters together to enhance your images. However, it's important to understand the difference between color correction adjustments and color grading adjustments to use them effectively.

Color Adjustments

Color adjustments in Pixelmator Pro/Photomator can be broadly categorized into two types:

1. Color Correction Adjustments: These adjustments are designed to transform "bad" colors into "good" and natural ones. They are developed to be robust and to accommodate "bad" colors.

2. Color Grading Adjustments: These adjustments are designed to adjust photos that already look natural (properly exposed and with accurate colors) in ways that introduce some artistic intent. They are fine-tuned to work with photos that have good colors as their starting point.

The standard method for adjusting a photo or a series of photos is to first correct the color, then proceed to color grading. Even if your end goal is a black-and-white image, it's recommended to first correct the color (such as adjusting the white balance) before converting it to grayscale using the Black & White adjustment.

ML Enhance and Presets

ML Enhance is designed for color correction, while presets (filters) are intended for color grading. ML Enhance primarily affects the color correction adjustments, and presets modify the color grading adjustments. However, there's sometimes overlap between these adjustments.

Solution: Using Color Adjustment Layers

To effectively use ML Enhance and presets together, you can use color adjustment layers. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Open an image. For example, the image is too dark (underexposed).

2. Apply ML Enhance. If necessary, apply additional corrections to make the color "natural" and "right".

3. Add a new color adjustments layer.

4. Apply a preset to this second layer.

If needed, this second layer can be toggled on or off via the checkbox in the layers list, allowing for further color-fixing corrections (like the Shadows adjustment) to be applied to the first layer. An additional benefit of using two color-adjustment layers is that you can adjust the intensity of the color grading layer without affecting the initial color fixing.

These adjustments are largely a creative process and each shot will require a case-by-case approach. Keeping this information in mind when editing your pictures will ensure that each shot will look its' absolute best!