Curves
Per-channel input-to-output mapping with an arbitrary shape.
Curves is Levels without the constraint of three handles. You draw the mapping from input brightness to output brightness, per channel, with as many control points as you need.
Everything Levels can do, Curves can do — plus the things it cannot, like lifting shadows while leaving midtones alone, or tinting only the highlights.
When to reach for it#
- Colour grading with any real intent.
- Split toning — warm highlights against cool shadows.
- Fixing one part of the tonal range without disturbing the rest.
Parameters#
RGB moves all three together. Individual channels are how you tint: raising the red curve's highlights warms the bright end while leaving shadows neutral.
Each point pins an input value to an output value. A straight diagonal changes nothing. An S-curve adds contrast; an inverted S removes it.
Recipes#
Faded film look
- On the RGB channel, raise the bottom-left point so blacks lift to dark grey.
- Pull the top-right point down very slightly so whites stop short of pure.
- On the blue channel, lift the shadow end a little and pull the highlight end down.
Cool shadows and warm highlights is the whole recipe. The specific amounts matter far less than the direction.
See also#
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