Curves

About the Curves Dialog Box

The Curves dialog box, like the Levels dialog box, lets you adjust the entire tonal range of an image. You can also use Curves to make precise adjustments to individual color channels in an image.

* To make the Curves grid smaller, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and click the grid. Alt/Option-click again to make the grid larger.

A.   Highlights  B. Midtones  C. Shadows

Tonal Adjustment:

                                             

The curve for increased lightness.                 The curve for decreased lightness.

White and black point stay fixed,

maintaining dynamic range and

minimizing loss of detail.

                       

An “S” curve increases contrast,                         A reverse “S” curve decreases contrast,

lightening highlights and darkening                   darkening highlights and lightening shadows.

shadows.  Black and white points                     Black and white points don’t move.

don’t move.

Color Adjustment:

Pull down from the RGB menu to adjust each color channel separately in curves. 

Pull the curve up – the image will be come more red (less cyan)

Pull the curve down – the image will become more cyan (less red)