Ok for your Tuesday tech update I would like to narrow the next few weeks down just with Features in Photoshop! This week’s feature is curves… until I order my CS5 upgrade (which will be soon) I will be discussing the “features” from CS3.

For our first in depth look into some of the tools and possibilities CS3 has to offer I’ll start will my most used adjustment… Curves!

I prefer to use curves as an adjustment layer to give me total control and ability to use or change at any point during my edit. I love the ease of curves, it will take a nice RAW file, containing the maximum amount of information and in a few simple steps allow for me to color correct, give contrast, and remove UV fog that can occur to most natural RAW images while shooting near the direction of the sun (which is the recommended for use of fill flash). Observer the steps to setting up your curves layer.

When selected choose the “options” button and see the magic!

One the changes are made play around with the RGB line. I bring the contrast up by setting the lowest point inward 5 points and the highest point inward 5 as well (inward in this case is toward the center).

See the difference the image on top was straight from the camera, great capture and use of fill flash. The bottom one is with the curves layer adjustment only added to it. the color correction, contrast, and even the illusion of a better sharpness too.

Give it a try and see what you think.