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We're starting a new series of Pixel Podcasts called Photoshop Basics. As the name implies, Photoshop Basics will focus on using basic Photoshop tools and techniques to make great-looking photos. Our first episode deals with Photoshop's curves tool.
Curves is one of the most powerful and commonly used tools in Photoshop, as it is the primary way to control density (lightness and darkness) and contrast in a photograph. It offers much more flexibility than the levels tool, but can be intimidating for first-time users. This podcast is designed as an introduction to this powerful tool, giving you basic techniques that make it easy to use.
Text Version of the Tip
Hi! And welcome to another Pixel Podcast. Today I'll be covering one of the Photoshop basics—the Curves Adjustment Layer.
If I had to list out all of the great tools in Photoshop from most to least used, the Curves Adjustment Layer would be at the top of that list. It's a powerful, flexible tool that, once you become familiar with it, is bound to be the starting point for most of your images. Curves can address lightness, darkness and contrast all in one convenient tool! In this podcast, I'll be reviewing all three uses, so you can get started with the Curves tool right away!
To begin, go to Layer> New Adjustment Layer> and select Curves from the flyout list. In the Curves dialog box, you'll see a graph, with a diagonal line leading from lower left to upper right. Note that my Curves graph has the darkest areas of the gradients in the bottom and left, and the lightest areas of the gradients in the top and right. If your graph is not currently set this way, click on the horizontal gradient beneath the graph and you'll see the light and dark areas reverse.
First, I'll demonstrate how the curves tool can be used to lighten this image. As I hover near the diagonal line, my pointer will change to cross-hairs. With the pointer in this state, I can click to create a point on the curve that I will manipulate to enact a change in my image. I'm going to click and hold my mouse button, so that I can drag a point up and to the left. This action creates a curve that lightens my image overall. You can see that as I click the eye icon, I can turn the effect of my layer on and off.
Now, I'll use the curves tool to, instead, darken my image. I'm going to double click on the Curves Adjustment Layer I've just made to open up that same curve. As I hover my pointer near the point I had previously set, it now becomes arrow-ended cross-hairs. With my pointer in this state, I can change the position of a point that already exists on the curve. With the same click and drag motion, I'll move this point toward the lower right hand corner, darkening the image overall. I've just demonstrated that the curves tool can be used to lighten or darken my image, but also that I can go back and adjust my decisions any time I want.
The next function is to use the curves tool to affect contrast. I'll throw away my first curve and start with a new one. Again, I'll go to Layer> New Adjustment Layer> and select Curves from the fly-out list. It appears just as before, with a straight line from bottom left to upper right. To affect contrast, I'll be setting two points; one in the highlight area and one in the shadow area. First, I'll set a point somewhere near the upper right hand quadrant of the graph on my curve line. It's okay if it doesn't start off exactly where I want it—I can always go back and adjust it like I did to change my lightening curve to a darkening curve. So, for now, I'll just put it somewhere up there, clicking and dragging up and to the left to lighten the lighter tones of my photograph. At this point, all I've done is lighten, I haven't added any contrast. So, to add contrast (that is, to increase the difference between the lighter and darker tones) I will now add an additional point to darken the darker tones. Now, I've added contrast overall. You'll also notice that the saturation has boosted ever so slightly. This is because density and contrast affect color as well. If you take a look at the shape of the curve, you'll see it creates a very slight "S" shape, which is where the term "S Curve" comes from.
And that's all you need to know to get started with this great tool. The Curves Adjustment Layer and many other tools, are made even more powerful when you employ layer masks—but that is another tool for another day. Until next time, I'm Melanie Crutchfield. Thanks for watching!
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