PS question about curves/DAM magazine page 76

okay so I downloaded my copy of DAM today and while flipping through it they give a tip to make your colors pop on your pics. It says "My favorite method to use is the "S curve" on a curves adjustment layer or equivalent for your program. Make an 's' shape for instant definition and vibrant colors". how in the HECk do you do that? Everything I've tried makes it look like art deco or really weird...I tried where you change the tool to the pen and you draw your own curve and I draw an "S" and it comes out horrible. Anyone have any further tips?

I am no help Amy, but the same thing happens to me, so I will be watching this. I used to have no trouble messing with curves in PSP, I just can't do it in PS.

I haven't read the issue yet, but I suspect they're talking about a method I learned a few years back in a PS book.

Basically, when the Curves dialogue box pops up, it's usually divided up into a grid of 16 squares with the line (curve) going diagonally from bottom left to top right.

Place an anchor point at the 3 grid intersections that fall along that line. One of those will be dead center, the others intersect the line half way between center and the end.

Now, play with the two points either side of center, but keep it to subtle movements. You want to pull the top right one slightly up and the bottom left one slightly down, which gives the line a slight S-curve. You can also be moving it slight left or right with the up and down movements, but do keep the right point above the original line and the left point below the original line.

Keep it subtle, move those anchor points around a little until you get a result that you like.

Clear as mud? I hope that helps a little!

Oh interesting tip... I definitely understand what you are talking about Joan. I'll have to try that!

It's a very mild S. Let me take a screenie.



In fact, let me just make an action that does it and you can try that. (won't work in PSE)

Download S Curve Action

Here's the picture I ran it on, I left it at 100% opacity so you can see. I had it add a layer so you could adjust the effect.

Angie4b1g said:

I had it add a layer so you could adjust the effect.

Click to expand...

This is another great tip to go along with any tips like this. Always do them as Adjustment Layers, and then you always have the option to adjust them or easily trash the effect.

Here is a screen shot I did for someone a long time ago with a sample curve. It's going to be different for each photo, but you get the general idea of how steep things are. To lighten, just pull up the center of the line (#1). I usually go in the order of 1, 2 and 3 for adjusting the curve. HTH!

ooh ty ty ty for the action! I won't BEGIN to tell you how embarassed I am. you should have SEEN the S i was trying to do. I mean it looked like a honest and for true S, lol I'll try after work and see what I can come up with. Thanks guys!

I use the curves to balance the colors or add an edge and then just go to hue/ saturation and then is when my pics pop!

If the S of the curves gets too pronunciated it alwasy look weird

Thank you both so much for the info!! Thanks for the action also Angie!
I will try it out tonight!

Curves rocks and I second the adjustment layer, it can really save frustration! You got some awesome advice!

I love a good S curve

I'm gonna pick up DAM this month and give it another shot.

Came across some freebies that reminded me of this thread.

There are a couple of S-curve action freebies at Phaunt Actions. Thought they might be helpful to anyone who got inspired by this thread to play around with Curves adjustments.

I haven't tried them, but I'd heard good things about her Sunshine In Your Hand action pack so was checking her site out. The original SIYH action is in her freebies section, so I'm going to check that one to help me decide if I want to buy the new version. Might DL the S-curves ones too and see what they're like compared to what I do myself.

I like playing w/ curves, but always have trouble /w the S thing...thanks so much for the action!

dang it. i have pse6 and you can't do that in there. i have other ways to get my colors to pop. sometimes its just adjusting the saturation, other times i'll duplicate the photo layer and with the top layer change it to 'soft light' and play with the opacity.