In retouching workflows, why are global adjustments applied before local edits?

• A. Global adjustments set exposure and WB across image before targeted corrections
• B. Global adjustments are optional and only affect saturation
• C. Global adjustments degrade image quality
• D. Global adjustments replace all color grading

Answer: (A)

Global adjustments establish a consistent baseline across the whole image by setting exposure, contrast, and white balance before any targeted edits. When you correct the overall tonal and color cast first, you ensure that later local edits—dodge and burn, selective color tweaks, or adjustments to specific areas—are applied to an accurate and balanced foundation. This prevents local corrections from fighting against an incorrect base, helps preserve natural skin tones and overall color relationships, and makes subsequent color grading more predictable and cohesive.

Global adjustments aren’t just optional or limited to saturation, and they don’t inherently degrade quality or replace all color grading. They’re the broad setup that lets precise, localized work fit in cleanly.