Methods and systems for modifying an image by applying an effect to an image are described. The effects include a pop effect, a light adjustment, or a color adjustment to an image. The methods and systems include providing a user slider for applying an effect to the image. The methods and systems further include determining a first portion of the image including a face and creating a protection mask to protect the face in the first portion during image modification. The protection mask may include an enhancement threshold for modifying the first portion of the image. The modification of the image may include modifying the second portion of the image differently than the first portion of the image. A method for enforcing different resolutions of a same input image to produce similar visual results is also described.