How to use Curves in Photoshop

Curves in Photoshop is a really powerful tool to use. It gives great control overtones and contrast of your image and even allows you to control the tones and contrast of certain colour ranges within your image.
It can be quite daunting at first but when you get used to it you’ll find you’ll apply curves to nearly every image you process in Photoshop.
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[@genesis679]

This is the best tutorial about Curves adjustment that explains all clearly , Thanks

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@mohsinfareed1797]

Thanks. The best of all. videos on curves on TH-cam.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad you liked it! 👍

[@margaretchurchill3141]

Absolutely the best video on curves. You talk very clear and slow. No distraction of music in the background. I am a member of a large camera club, and will certainly recommend your video.. Thank you for a brilliant video. I have been using curves on my photos, and have at last been able to achieve a brilliant Mono .

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Margaret, appreciate the support 👍

[@Lifes1BeautifulRide]

Best curves video I've seen thus far! Thank you

[@theschoolofphotography]

+Pamela Merrick Thanks Pamela, appreciate the feedback 😊

[@rosalybristow814]

I absolutely love this video. It was simple and the video wasn't on super speed like other videos where you can't really tell what they're doing. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@markharris5771]

Once again you’ve managed to make something other videos make over complex very simple and understandable. There is always something we can learn no matter how long you’ve been pressing that shutter for. I don’t think I’ve seen such a dramatic edit just using curves. Merry Christmas and thank you for the great videos, especially the "annoying photographers" which was a classic.

[@theschoolofphotography]

+Mark Harris thanks Mark, merry Christmas to you too. 😊

[@thanassisfournarakos9696]

If I say that this tutorial was fantastic, that would be an understatement, as it was in actual fact better than that! Thank you and congrats! Thanassis Fournarakos, retired (2011) Pro Photographer ( born in 1946 ). Greetings from Athens, Greece.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks, glad you liked it, appreciate the comments 😊

[@davidhigham6861]

Excellent, helpful curves tutorial. Thank you.

[@thanassisfournarakos9696]

Excellent tutorial, loved the accent of the tutor, too! Thanassis Fournarakos, retired(2011) Pro Photographer (born in 1946). MERRY CHRISTMAS from Athens, Greece.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Thanassis, and merry Christmas from cold a wet England!! :)

[@greyhoundrick5568]

This is a great tutorial! Done at exactly the right pace, clearly explained and very easy to follow. You have a wonderful talent and I look forward to seeing all of your content! Best to you, Rick

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Rick, glad you liked our content 👍

[@rubygold8788]

Best tutorial I've seen on curves. Your calm manner, careful explanations and demos in this video are top notch. Thank you SO much!

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're very welcome 😊

[@jiro4559]

@@theschoolofphotography agree. also thanks for not smiling all the time like an idiot :)

[@gordonyetter2932]

Priceless... simply perfect! Thank you

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome Gordon, glad you liked it 👍

[@MarvelousLXVII]

Wow what a wonderful video! I just got into astrophotography and have been using curves on the fly without understanding them but this video did wonders for me!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks for your kind words, glad to hear you found the video so helpful 👍

[@kenalexander8714]

An excellent video on the use of curves. What I like about your tutorials is that you take your time to explain each step and its effects. I've book marked this to be able to easily refer back to it. I must admit that I rarely use Photoshop as it seems so complex and I can't get my head around how to use layers. Nearly all my adjustments are done in Lightroom, only going into Photoshop to use things like content aware to remove or move items. However, I shall now be using curves in Photoshop in future edits.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks for the comments Ken, appreciate that 👍

[@robertablue5364]

WOW, I love this, I take a tone of sunset photos too. Thanks Marc great tutorial.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Awesome, thank you!

[@harryfenton2587]

First class tutorial on curves loved the info on colours & their opposites

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Harry, glad you liked it 👍

[@fundadtv6336]

Very well, I appreciate the feedback!

[@russellraevo6123]

Thank you for a great tutorial, very clearly explained.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome, glad you liked it 👍

[@michaeldpaul]

Great tutorial all around. Thoroughly, yet succinctly explained. Upvoted and subscribed.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Awesome, thank you!

[@BURTBROWN]

I'm working on sunsets now and just stumbled onto your photo and tutorial about curves - which I have avoided for years! This does exactly what I need and I thank you greatly! LOL!!! I know this is several years old, but it hit the spot perfectly! I subscribed!!!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Welcome aboard 👍

[@leslithaiag9267]

Very nice tutorial, very clear explanations. Thank you. More please.

[@theschoolofphotography]

+Lesli Thaiag thanks Lesli, more on the way. Make sure you subscribe to get notified 😊

[@dasphotography7021]

The best 15 minutes of my valuable time - this could save me €500 or more in Filters We all know, Lee filters are damned expensive! THX. WELL DONE!!!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks, really glad to hear it helped 👍

[@SovonHalder]

Amazing tutorial. Thank you.

[@theschoolofphotography]

+Sovon Halder thanks Sovon, don't forget to subscribe for more 😊

[@johngadcke2609]

thanks this really cleared a lot of things up for me. The only thing I would do here is to label my layers. that way when I would come back at a later date I would know what each was doing.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Great stuff John, glad it helped 👍

[@franfinesim]

Is it only me or is the original better than edited? :D Great tutorial BTW.

[@theschoolofphotography]

👍🏼

[@johnnewby7299]

Great photo. You make it look simple. Thanks

[@theschoolofphotography]

Appreciate that John, thanks for watching.

[@gidionnyangaka8940]

Nice explainations bro, keep on educating us, u got this.

[@theschoolofphotography]

+Gidion Nyangaka thanks 😊

[@TheDoypids]

amazing tutorial! thanks a lot.

[@theschoolofphotography]

+Fred Corral cheers Fred, glad it helped :)

[@keithshenkin3674]

Terrific! First time I have understood this. Thanks.

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome!

[@AnnKilpatrick]

Great videos mark. Succinct and easy to understand thanks

[@theschoolofphotography]

+Ann Kilpatrick thanks, glad it helped 😊

[@anuarjose7145]

Great work!! Thanks!!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad you liked it!

[@ElmosVids]

Really useful tutorial Marc.

[@theschoolofphotography]

+JohnF thanks for the comments 😊

[@JoelGrayson]

Thank you, this is great content!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks 👍

[@alexdib3915]

Great tutorial, thank you!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Charlotte071]

Best on curves I've seen - thanks so much

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad you liked it!

[@michaelredbourn]

I learned a lot thanks !

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome Micheal, glad it helped 😊

[@Zircon_215]

Very nice! Thanks!

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome 👍

[@teddyruxpinhospital9046]

First class tutorial, more please

[@theschoolofphotography]

On there way :)

[@AnnKilpatrick]

.

[@azamshadi8918]

It was great, thank you

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome 😊

[@fundadtv6336]

Outstanding tutorial!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks, appreciate that :)

[@theschoolofphotography]

thanks Kevin, more coming soon. Any suggestions on tutorials, put them in the comments here. :)

[@johntheloft]

interesting - informative - bloody mind blowing. Thank You.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@IanMiddletonPhotographyTravel]

great tutorial, thanks

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome 👍

[@degentertainment5083]

Awesome! Thank you! :D

[@theschoolofphotography]

Your Welcome, glad to help👍

[@gambrino7715]

This is very informative.

[@theschoolofphotography]

+Gambrino Gaming Thanks, appreciate the feedback. All the best :)

[@lucianajustice]

Simple and awesome! How would you suggest to edit and image to have the beautiful fall color? Everything right now is still green in Louisiana. Thanks in advance!

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Luciana, appreciate the feedback. I’m actually
creating a tutorial about shooting in Autumn as it’s all starting to turn in
England. You want warm colours for the Autumn look to compliment the browns and
oranges of the leaves. For this you would use the blue curve and pull it down
to add yellow, then select the red curve and push it up to add red. Red and
yellow together create orange. Then adjust to suit. Hope that helps, thanks for
subscribing. Marc

[@ElmosVids]

great tutorial

[@theschoolofphotography]

+ElmosVids thanks Elmos 😊

[@fardayekahmed7878]

thanks!

[@theschoolofphotography]

+Fardayek Ahmed you're welcome :)

[@Mindset4Excellence]

Curves always confused me until now. Great video! I presume you were working from a raw file?

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks, yes i think it was

[@marimuthusubramanian9269]

Super sir. Thanks a lot sir

[@theschoolofphotography]

You're welcome 👍

[@hip2datyea]

Fabulous - very very informative. The best.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Mike glad you liked it 😊👍

[@hip2datyea]

Well Marc - from watching that vid I would definitely be encouraged to enrol onto your courses ... except that I'm on them already :). A bit more knowledge in the kit-bag now.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks Mike 👍

[@vikrantmehra8456]

You are genius man

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks 👍

[@fundadtv6336]

Are the classes on your website good for download after purchase?

[@theschoolofphotography]

Yes they are Steven, they are availible to stream online and/or download. Hope that helps, any others questions please ask or drop us an email. Thanks

[@paultamaslacaru302]

and now I know how instagram users manipulates colors in photos; thank you!

[@kuladeepmazumdar346]

Very nice sir

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thanks and welcome

[@chiroone1979]

Does this work for videos if I use Final Cut Pro x?

[@theschoolofphotography]

Hi, not sure on that one as never used it, maybe someone else on here can help. Thanks

[@maxwellambaks6825]

Is these the same thing we do with lightroom?

[@theschoolofphotography]

Yeap 👍

[@michabednarski5555]

Where can I get an image form go along?

[@emadali4833]

Awesome , so basically I can use curves to :
Lighten or darken my photo
Improve colours instead of using hue and saturation
Finally adding Matt effect & with to mention correcting my white balance incase of shooting in wrong white balance

[@thisisgurkaran]

great tutorial. Could have been better if you posted the before picture too.

[@theschoolofphotography]

+Gurkaran Singh thanks. The before picture is shown at the start and end of the video

[@NaNoaa100]

Great tutorial, but opposite colour to blue is yellow? Wait.. Orange is opposite to blue, no? Btw could you make more videos about how to mixing colours in Red, Green and Blue Curves, please :-) ?

[@theschoolofphotography]

Hi, you use the cymk colour wheel when using curves. Thanks

[@NaNoaa100]

Ah thank you for the explanation, I thought it was a Itten colour wheel :-)

[@edwardhitten2678]

Your oranges in clouds light side seems to be blown away. Thats really not good.

[@theschoolofphotography]

Turn your screen brightness down Edward!

[@derekgolliher7872]

Awesome! Thank you! :D

[@theschoolofphotography]

Thank you, glad to help😊