Method for modifying a digital image

A method for selecting color value on a digital image, initializing a color modification tool to the selected color value, and then modifying the color value. After selecting a color modification tool such as a contrast LUT, a user selects a region on a digital image containing the color value to be modified. The selected region is highlighted, and a knot corresponding to the selected color value is automatically placed on the input/output LUT graph of the color modification tool. A slide bar, and a graphic readout providing the "before" and "after" values of the selected color value, are superimposed directly on the digital image adjacent the highlighted region. The user can then modify the selected color value by displacing the slide bar. The digital image, graphic readout, and the input/output LUT graph of the modification tool are updated in response to the manipulation of the slide bar, allowing the user to immediately visualize the affect of the color change on the digital image.