This chapter will show you how to use Levels and Curves. The Levels tool is a little
easier to understand and is powerful enough for most photographers. Curves pro-
vide tremendous editing capabilities for specific luminance values, but can be
learned quickly, so anyone can use it. This chapter explains the use of each tool in
detail and also provides tips on how to leverage these tools when you’re in a hurry.Using Levels to Fix Your Images
Most image editors include a fast fix for bland images. In Photoshop for example,
you can take the following steps:- Open your image.
- Select Image, Adjustments, Auto Levels.
- The image will adjust to improve contrast and correct the distribution of
tones in the image. - Save your image as a JPEG, GIF, or TIFF file.
The Auto Levels feature is for those in a hurry. You can fix an image in seconds and
then email or print it. This automated feature comes in handy when you are in a
hurry, but often it doesn’t fix an image properly. For example, look at Figure 15.2.
The goal in Figure 15.2—to convey the calm stage set before the big show—doesn’t
fall in line with Photoshop’s goal: adjusting tones to take advantage of all the tonal
values. Auto Levels simply pulls out all the brightness it can muster and ruins the
image. For this reason, you should learn more about the Levels dialog box.220 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TODIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
FIGURE 15.1
Photoshop’s
Levels and
Curves tools for
a black-and-
white image.