Q. about setting the gray point

[mos10279273]

I've been asked to process of batch of scans. One of the things on the checklist is to "set the gray point". I'm wondering if I'm doing it correctly. What I do is open the Info panel, call up the "Curves" panel, select the middle eyedropper, then check the control strip in the image to find a middle-value gray that is exactly balanced, i.e. the R, G & B numbers are identical. Then I click that spot. (FYI, my eyedropper is set to a 5x5 sample). Is this the correct technique? What do I do with the images where I can't find a spot that is exactly balanced? This screen shot shows an example: there is no spot on the control strip that shows up as perfectly balanced in the Info panel.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please read this:

FAQ: How do I capture and post a screen shot or video?

call up the "Curves" panel

What is that supposed to mean?

Are you using a Curves Adjustment Layer or are you trying to work destructively?

Anyway, it sounds to me like you might have it backwards – you don’t need to find an actually neutral area but an area that should be neutral.

[mos10279273]

Is there something wrong with the picture I posted? Yes, I used my phone instead of a screen shot; I did that so that I could preserve the numbers, which otherwise would disappear.

By "call up the "Curves" panel, I mean keyboard shortcut command+m.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I did that so that I could preserve the numbers, which otherwise would disappear.

Say what?

By "call up the "Curves" panel, I mean keyboard shortcut command+m.

I strongly discourage doing that on a full color image because it’s needlessly destructive, instead try using a Curves Layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves).

[gunzelguy]

I just did what you suggested and then when I go to curves to make an adjustment the dialog box is blank, I have to click on the image layer to make any adjustments, what am I missing?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Properties, Options Bar, …) visible?