adjusting darkness in photoshop?
 

so how do you guys do it? with levels or is there a better and more consistent way (if i wanted to use the same settings on an entire set)

bump :smokin

You can create and record a new action in PhotoShop and apply those same settings to a whole batch easy enough.

There are a few threads here on recording actions in PhotoShop here.

What he said...

First, to adjust brightness, you have to use levels. Both brightness AND contrast, then make sure you even out the skin tones with your red/blue/green so they have a nice flesh colored tone.

Experiment with it because sometimes one set will vary from the rest because of lighting, shadows, and such.

The you would use "actions" to create a default action for the set. It would go something like,..

1. Create an action (new name)
This will turn on the record function. Then you need to do whatever it is you want to do, brightness 120, contrast 135, red 115, etc. etc... Then when you are done, save, close it the picture, and hit stop.

2. Next go to the automate function on your far left drop down. Pick batch commend. This will bring up a box which will have your newly created name at the top, then pick the corresponding folder where you have/will save the images. Set other drop down to save/close.

3. Click ok. Should do the whole thing. You get a series of boxes poping, adjusting, saving and closing until complete.

Do it successful once, and you are the master. Super easy.