Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Adjusting Contrast Using Curves
The much-improved Contrast slider in Camera Raw will still only take you so far, but luck-
ily there's Curves, which is a powerful ally in your fight against flat-looking photos. While
I've got you here, there's another feature from regular Photoshop that made its way into
Camera Raw: the ability to edit individual R, G, and B channels with Curves. Okay, I don't
use this feature, but somebody could really have some fun with it (for cross-processing ef-
fects, if nothing else).
Step One:
After you've done all your exposure adjustments in the Basic panel, and you feel you need
more contrast (hey, it's possible), it's time to head for the Tone Curve panel (click on the
second icon from the left, near the top of the Panel area, shown circled here in red). There
are two different types of curves available here: the Point curve, and the Parametric curve.
We'll start with the Point curve, so click on the Point tab at the top of the panel. Here's
what the photo shown here looks like with no added contrast in the Point curve (notice that
the Curve pop-up menu above the curve is set to Linear, which is a flat, unadjusted curve).
Note:
Inearlier versions ofCamera Raw,RAW images had the default curve set to Medium
