Photoshop Curves sensitivity?

[Darin Boville]

Perhaps a dumb photoshop question:

Is there a way to make the Photoshop curves feature less sensitive? You can tell I'm no PS guru. Often it happens that I make the smallest curves adjustment I can and the change in the print is quite noticeable. Too course for me. Is there a better way?

--Darin

[Preston]

Darin, you have some options:

Select the point on the curve and then use the arrow keys to move that point for precise adjustment.

You can also create a Levels adjustment layer and move the points on the histogram.

Take a look at Tony Kuyper's Luminosity masks: Luminosity Masks Tutorial. I found the tutorials very helpful, and the masks are excellent. You can purchase the full set of actions from Tony's site. They are well worth the donation!

--P

[Peter J. De Smidt]

Use a curves adjustment layer. Using the curves dialogue, go just a little to far. Now use the opacity slider on the layers palette to back off the effect. This can be from 0-100%.

[Ben Syverson]

Darin, I often make adjustments in single-value increments using the "in" and "out" points below the curves. For example, if IN is 128 and OUT is 128, you can get a very subtle adjustment by setting Out to 127 or 129.

It's rare that you would need more precision that that—a change of one value in 255 is a 0.4% change.

[timparkin]

Opacity or 'edit>fade' are the only options.. It would be great to have a plugin that allowed finer control over curves..

[Jim Cole]

Take a look at Tony Kuyper's Luminosity masks: Luminosity Masks Tutorial. I found the tutorials very helpful, and the masks are excellent. You can purchase the full set of actions from Tony's site. They are well worth the donation!

--P

I second the usefullness of Tony's masks. One of the best photo software purchases I have made.