Curves and improving contrast

Practice images for the Photo shop tutorials on Curves are available.
To download the folder, please Click Here .
Some computers will start to open the zip package immediately; sometimes it will be necessary to double-click.

• Open image number 02.jpg.
This image is drab and lacking in contrast.

• Go to Image > Adjustments > Curves or Ctrl + M / Cmd + M.
The Photoshop 'curve' is originally drawn as a straight line in the dialogue box.

• It is generally more convenient to have the shadows at the bottom left corner and the highlights at the top right, regardless of whether one is working on a digital image, transparency or negative film image.

• Point B is the darkest black point on the image and point W is the lightest white point.

• The more horizontal the curve, the lower will be the image's contrast. Put the cursor on points B and W in turn and adjust the curve so it is like the illustration. Note how the contrast of the image is reduced.

• Hold the Alt / Option key and the Cancel button changes to Reset. Click on Reset and the curve goes back to its previous setting.
• The more vertical the curve, the higher will be the image's contrast. Put the cursor on points B and W in turn and adjust the curve so it is like the illustration. Note how the contrast of the image is increased.

• Reset the curve.

• In fact, the extreme highlights and shadows of this image are all right. It is the midtones which lack contrast, so we need to push up the contrast in this area.

• Put the cursor on to the centre of the curve and click. This anchors that position. Put on other anchors point and move them to positions and D as shown. The overall appearance of the image is considerably improved.

We have made the central portion of the curve steeper and this has increased the images' contrast.

Curves 1 2 3 4 5

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