Photo adjustments in photoshop question

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Mike410

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Mike
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Hello,

I am just wondering what is the best way to adjust photos (jpegs) in photoshop.

I have CS2 and I usually just use the levels tool.

Do people usually use curves as well? or hue and saturation?

I find the levels tool the easiest to use.

Thanks,

Mike
 
it depends on what you want to do

I use levels over curves primarily because of speed, but use curves if I want to be more precise

hue and saturation are different tools so use them when necessary - they don't replace levels or curves
 
In my pre Lightroom days with Photoshop, I would probably use levels first, then go to curves if needed.

HSL controls can help, but they need to be handled with care. You can over do it.
 
Smart use of curves allows you to bump the contrast of an image, without running the risk of blowing your highlights or clogging up your shadows.
 
Scarecrow said:
Smart use of curves allows you to bump the contrast of an image, without running the risk of blowing your highlights or clogging up your shadows.
Click to expand...


So what is smart use of curves?

Lots of different tutorials say different things...
 
Leave the end points where they are, and adjust the rest of the curve to give you a shallow S shape. And I do mean shallow. If you just make small adjustments and check the preview that you don't go too far. By pushing up the top half of the curve, and lowering the bottom half, you will increase the contrast.

By leaving the end points fixed, your black and white points will remain unchanged.
 
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