Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
TIP
If you've used Curves add-ons in an old version of Elements—like those from Richard
Lynch or Grant Dixon, for example—or if you've used Photoshop's Curves Adjustment
layers (you power user, you!), the Color Curves tool may take a bit of getting used to,
since you can't adjust the curve by dragging it. If not being able to drag drives you nuts,
SmartCurve (
http://tinyurl.com/mccrrb9
) is a popular, free, Windows-only add-on that lets
you drag to your heart's content (unfortunately, there's no Mac equivalent). Also, some of
the add-on toolsets for Elements let you make corrections on a graph rather than with the
sliders. (See
Stuff from the Internet
for more about add-ons.)
Once you have some Color Curves experience under your belt, you probably won't be satis-
fied with the presets, so don't hesitate to use the dialog box's sliders to adjust different tonal
regions in your photo:
▪
Adjust Highlights
. Drag this slider left to darken the photo's highlights, or right to light-
en them.
▪
Midtone Brightness
. If you'd like the middle range of colors to be darker, move this
slider left. Move it right to make the midtones brighter.
▪
Midtone Contrast
. This slider works just like the one in Elements' Shadows/Highlights
feature (
The Shadows/Highlights Command
)
: Move it right to increase the photo's con-
trast or left to decrease it.
▪
Adjust Shadows
. If you want to lighten shadowy areas, move this slider right. To darken
them, move it left.
As you drag the sliders, you can see the point you're adjusting move on the graph and watch
the curve change shape. Although it's fun to watch the graph, pay more attention to what's
happening in your photo.
Color Curves is such a potent tool that it can change a photo in ways you don't intend. So
rather than using Color Curves to make huge adjustments, try another tool first, and then use
Color Curves for the final, subtle tweaks. But if you
want
to create wild special effects, then
Color Curves may be just the ticket; see
Figure 9-15
for an example.
