How to Add Contrast with Curves
How Do I Do That in Photoshop? by Scott Kelby is designed to take you quickly to specific Photoshop techniques, settings and shortcuts. In this series, How Do I Do That? you can preview tips from Chapter 3, Mastering Camera Raw.
To increase the contrast in an image, you usually use the Contrast sliderWhen you need more control or stronger contrast, the Curves panel is a better choice than the Contrast slider. The curve starts as a straight diagonal line. Click it to add points, then drag those points upward to lighten tones or downward to darken them.
The quickest method is to use a preset such as Medium Contrast or Strong Contrast from the Point Curve menu.
These presets turn the line into an S-shape, with points that enhance highlights (top right) and control shadows (bottom left). Increasing contrast means making light parts brighter and dark parts darker. You can then adjust the added points on the curve for more contrast.
Remember that this contrast is added to any adjustment made with the Contrast slider. Increasing contrast also boosts color saturation, which can be desirable. If it becomes excessive, drag the Refine Saturation slider below the curve grid to the left; this control appears after points have been added to the curve.
Text: © Scott Kelby, How Do I Do That in Photoshop?, 2nd edition
Scott Kelby, How Do I Do That in Photoshop?, 2nd edition
Pages: 320
Price: €39.99
Publisher: Van Duuren Media. Language: Dutch. This article refers to the Dutch-language edition.
