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A Tutorial by Miles Hecker
NB: Please note that whenever possible Curves as well as any other form of image adjustment should be done as an Adjustment Layer, as described in my tutorial titledInstant Photoshop. — Michael
Like theLevelscommand, theCurvescommand allows you to adjust the tonal range of an image.   However the range and quality of adjustment is much greater.   Levels is similar to using a hatchet, Curves is more scalpel-like in its precision.  
The Levels command limits adjustments to just three variables, highlights, shadows and midtones.   With the Curves command, you can adjust any point along a 0 - 100% scale while keeping up to 15 other values constant.   This precision and accuracy can be intimidating to a new user but it need not be.
Before using the Curves command, go toImage | Mode |and selectLab Color. Adjustment of tonality levels can be done in other color modes, but artifacts and color shifts can result, especially if your monit...

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Michael Reichmann is the founder of the Luminous Landscape. Michael passed away in May 2016. Since its inception in 1999 LuLa has become the world's largest site devoted to the art, craft, and technology of photography. Each month more than one million people from every country on the globe visit LuLa.
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