Perfecting Brightness with Curves

Perfecting Brightness with Curves

Curves rocks. I heart Curves. The Curves control is particularly
useful for gamma correction, because
. Curves lets you fully (and visually) control how adjustments
are weighted and roll off.
. You can introduce multiple gamma adjustments to a
single image or restrict the gamma adjustment to just
one part of the image’s dynamic range.
. Some adjustments can be nailed with a single wellplaced
point in Curves, in cases where the equivalent
adjustment with Levels might require coordination of
three separate controls.
It’s also worth understanding Curves controls because they
are a common shorthand for how digital color adjustments
are depicted; the Curves interface recurs in many—most—
color correction toolsets.
Curves does, however, have drawbacks, compared with
Levels:
. It’s not immediately intuitive, it can easily yield hideous
results if you don’t know what you’re doing, and there
are plenty of artists who aren’t comfortable with it.