tone

Definition: Noun: (1) lightness, brightness or value of a patch in a photograph: dark tones correspond to shadows, light tones correspond to bright or highlight areas. (2) Slight overall colour cast or hint of colour in a print or part of image that should be neutral e.g. green tone in Fujichrome blacks. * Also known as tint. (3) Used as suffix following percentage: percentage of given dot area that is inked e.g. 40% tone is 40% covered in ink. * See three-quarter tone. (4) Verb: to treat black & white print or negative with a chemical that replaces or alters the silver image, usually to change image colour or contrast.

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