Not a bad tutorial Godfrey.

Dave, this is what one of my typical curves looks like (sometimes
showing is easier ;-):

<http://www.arach.net.au/~savage/Misc/SC_001.jpg>

I just grip the line at the lower left intersection and pull it down &
to the right slightly.Visa versa for the top right intersection.

Although depending on what your trying to achieve they can become a
bit more "curvy"

As an example, this is one of my favorite shots:

<http://www.arach.net.au/~savage/Misc/SCex_001.jpg>

But this is what it looks like without the curves adjustment layer:

<http://www.arach.net.au/~savage/Misc/SCex_000.jpg>

Pretty flat. I wanted the background darker and the lighter foilage to
pop out. To get that, this is what the curve looked like:

<http://www.arach.net.au/~savage/Misc/SC_002.jpg>


HTH


Dave



On 9/2/06, Godfrey DiGiorgi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> On Sep 1, 2006, at 10:12 AM, David J Brooks wrote:
>
> > So, i noticed some one made a comment on Mat;s back yard shot, that a
> > smidge of and S curve for contrast would help.
> >
> > I have a big problem trying to make S curves when i work on my photos.
> > They just make crazy colours etc.
> >
> > Any guide line or R of T to setting these up.??
> >
> > Do you use the pickers to locate the areas you want adjusted .??
>
> working in Photoshop CS2:
>
> - use the command Layers -> New Adjustment Layer -> Curves
> - in the resulting dialog, set the layer mode to be Luminosity, click OK
>
> In the Curves palette, the default is RGB and it should open with a
> straight line from lower left to upper right. Presuming you have the
> palette configured with the black end of the grayscale on the left, a
> gentle, contrast increasing S curve means
>
> - click on the line at the lower left quadrant intersection
> - tug the line down a little bit (this pulls the low values downwards)
> - click on the line at the upper right quadrant intersection
> - tug the line up a little bit (this pulls the high values upwards)
>
> Tugging the control points left or right also moves the shape of the
> line and resultant adjustment ... experiment. When you get a result
> that fits what you want, click OK.
>
> NOTES:
>
> You can change the transparency and mode from the Layers palette at
> any time.
>
> You can click on one of your curve points and move it with the arrow
> keys as well for higher precision in adjustment.
>
> Remember: it's better to make several SMALL adjustments in multiple
> layers, shaping the luminance values to your needs, than to use ONE
> adjustment with large steps.
>
> You can merge all the layers when you've achieved your final results
> if you feel you will not want to edit any more, or are preparing a
> file for output as a finished piece.
>
> Godfrey

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