Photoshop’s Curves tool is one of the most powerful image-editing tools available. With it, you can make subtle or drastic changes to the tonal range and color balance of an image. You can also use it to create unique effects that would be difficult to achieve with any other tool.
The Curves tool works by allowing you to adjust the brightness of an image at different points along a curve. The curve itself is created by anchor points that you can place anywhere along the line. As you move these anchor points, the shape of the curve changes, and this in turn affects the brightness of the image.
There are three types of anchor points that you can use:
– Corner points: These anchor points have two handles that you can use to control the shape of the curve.
– Smooth points: These anchor points have only one handle, which allows you to create a more gradual change in brightness.
– Contrast points: These anchor points have no handles, and are used to create sudden changes in brightness (known as “contrast”).
To adjust an anchor point, simply click on it and drag it to where you want it to be. You can also double-click on an anchor point to bring up a dialogue box where you can enter precise numerical values for the position and shape of the curve.
Once you’re happy with your curve, you can apply it to your image by clicking on the “OK” button. Photoshop will then adjust the brightness of the image according to the curve that you’ve created.
The Curves tool is an extremely powerful tool that gives you a great deal of control over the tonal range and color balance of an image. With a little practice, you’ll be able to use it to make subtle or drastic changes to your images, and create unique effects that would be difficult to achieve with any other tool.
