With Photoshop open, click on File heading at the top left of the menu bar and select Open. You will be directed to the most recent location of images or folders last used to open a file. Navigate to the folder location or image you wish to open. If files are arranged in a list format, you can change to thumbnail view to see a mini version of each image. Make your selection and click on the Open button.
With an image open, we can begin to study the correct color, brightness and contrast of the image. Does it appear to be the way you remember the scene?
As stated before, our mind's eye can recall specific "feelings" or "moods" that made you decide to capture this scene. If what you are seeing isn't exactly the same, maybe it's time to get the color right... using the Curve menu.
Adobe® Photoshop Class #6
Like Brightness and Contrast, using the Curve menu allows us to swing the color and contrast together to make simple and radical changes in your image. We will learn in this lesson how to make a simple color adjustments using Curves. Like the last lessons, we still need to recap the beginning portions...
The Curves menu gives you the power to modify the color, brightness, contrast, shadow, and overall mood of your image. If your image isn't perfectly exposed, this is the menu to reach for. It covers many areas in one adjustment and can save an image that is lacking in quality.
Furthermore, by dropping down the RGB Channel sub-menu, you will be able to adjust the individual color channels much like the Levels menu. Remember, this tool is powerful... by using little adjustments, you will greatly improve your precious images.
Enjoy the next lesson....
I will demonstrate again with one of my pictures of Meredith Bay in the springtime. This image is supposed to warm in color since it was captured in the early morning, during that magical morning light.
The Curve menu we will use in this lesson is located under the Image heading in the top menu bar, then down to Adjustments, right over to Curves. This can be a complex menu full of power, but we'll keep it simple for now so we don't get in over our heads. Also, this menu is one of the key menus in Photoshop used by professionals around the world every day to make accurate color, contrast, and brightness changes in advertising, web design, and artistic creations.
