Does the Tone Curve operate in RGB or Lab?

I was wondering if the Tone Curve of LR works in the RGB color space, or if it is designed to only affect the L component of Lab.

(Andrew_Rodney) wrote:
This new PDF might be useful to the discussion too:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/Curves.shtml
Looks like the file has been removed. Does anyone have a copy or another link?
Been fighting with some images recently, getting yellow faces when increasing contrast (curves or slider).

Similar Messages

Which do you prefer: Increasing exposure or adjusting the tone curve?

I'd like to know how people here handle their images.
I use a Nikon D7100 in camera RAW. In camera my images are always in balance. In LR, if I select Auto Tone in Basics invariably it will adjust the exposure. I tend to adjust exposure near last in my workflow because I assume my camera had the exposure setting right. When I feel I need to adjust the exposure my first stop is the Tone Curve. I'm wondering a couple of things:
1) I know we edit by the specifics of each photo, but generally do you make adjustments to Exposure or the Tone Curve first?
2) Is there a reason or a time to prefer one over the other?
Thanks,

My recommendation:
(note: I am interpreting "exposure", in your question, to mean "dynamic range at right wall of histogram", i.e. white point)
Adjust basics exposure first (before tone/point curve), but note: you may not be able to go all the way using the exposure slider. Next stop (if necessary): +whites, but note: it may not be optimal to go all the way using whites. Final stop (if necessary): cinch in the the exposure by dragging white point to the left via the point curve.
Rationale: basics have some intelligence and magic that tone curve does not. If you do tone curve first, you've missed some opportunities..
Still a begging question: how much exposure vs. whites vs. tone curve (point curve).
Note: go easy on the contrast at first, and assure blacks are sufficiently seated using blacks slider (and maybe tone/point curve).
Likewise, cranking whites up will increase global contrast, so if you take a shot at blacks and whites before contrast, then you may avoid a common mistake: radically wrong contrast due to adjusting before establishing ballpark black & white slider values.
Anyway, be aware that increased PV2012 exposure (and/or whites) is designed to be used with -highlights (note: there is no "brightness" slider), and to avoid making things too washed out (or over-jamming the highlights) it may be desirable to substitute +whites and/or +shadows for some +exposure.
Note: tones may gang up (on the right side of the histogram) in a non-optimal way when using +exposure and/or +whites, in which case it may be better to use point curve for white point adjustment (e.g. leftward drag). For example, sometimes the whites will be overly compressed if you don't bring white point in on the curve instead.
Rules of thumb:
Most of my normal photos end up with:
+exposure (to fully brighten)
+whites (for full dynamic range without excessive exposure setting)
-highlights (for dialing back +exposure and/or +whites)
+shadows (so -blacks and doesn't leave image with overly dark shadows)
-blacks (for full dynamic range without needing as much contrast)
*contrast: depends - if overly contrasty to begin with (or a lot of -blacks and/or +whites are employed), this usually gets dialed back; if underly contrasty to begin with (or +blacks and/or -whites have been employed), this usually gets bumped up.
(for abnormal photos or when desiring abnormal results - anything goes..).
Other common mistakes (in addition to wrong contrast and/or non-optimal balance between exposure & whites..):
trying to recover highlights via -whites. try -highlights (and maybe +whites) before -whites.
Warning signs:
if you have very high values for +shadows and -highlights, you may have contrast set too high.
if you have a positive value for highlights, you may have contrast/exposure/whites too low.
if you have a negative value for shadows, you may have contrast too low, or blacks/exposure too high.
Miscellaneous:
Try +clarity and +saturation (and/or +vibrance) to pump it up, if reduced contrast and/or increased exposure has left it looking a little washed out.. (likewise, -saturation if +contrast has left it looking a little too "rich"..).
You already know this, but for the sake of completeness (and other readers): you can learn by clicking 'Auto Tone' "button". You may need to dial back the exposure afterward etc. but it can be very educational none-the-less..
Of course, you can always fine-tune tone using tone curve (e.g. if image is just way overbright, like some snow shots, try tugging the midpoint downward..).
Don't forget the locals for final spot toning.
In case you haven't gleaned yet, adjusting via PV2012 is not the same as you might think at first - you don't just set exposure/black/white points and leave them, and then adjust everything else. e.g. -highlights pulls white point down more than -whites does (but +whites brings white point back up, which means you usually need to adjust in tandem..), so be prepared for a lot of back n' forth, to lessen with experience..
PS - There are tutorial videos galore, but at the risk of opposing Adobe and their sycophants, be forewarned: some are geared to how they wished PV2012 was (simple), and not to how it really is (interdependent image-dependent settings..) - examples:
top-down is touted, but that ignores black/white point issues which can lead to radically wrong contrast (and/or exposure) setting.
often, adjustment of blacks is considered optional/fine-tuning, but blacks sometimes need large value adjustment, and dramatically impacts contrast & shadow brightness..
often, adjustment of whites is considered optional/fine-tuning, but sometimes optimal toning can only be had by using a large whites value adjustment, which dramatically impacts contrast, and exposure..
cteavin wrote:
I tend to adjust exposure near last in my workflow because I assume my camera had the exposure setting right.
In case not clear yet, adjusting exposure and/or whites (and/or white point on curve) and all the rest is often done to turn an image "with potential" into a very nice image, not just to compensate for in-camera exposure imperfection. I have lots of under-exposed images that end with -exposure (granted, usually +whites), and vice-versas.. That said, if you don't know whether to crank it up or down, there is something to be said for passing until you do..
Lastly, for emphasis: exposure slider is an intelligent slider. It behaves more like normal exposure adjusters at lower values, and more like brightness adjusters at higher values (has clipping protection and highlight roll-off logic which kicks in as you crank it up..). So, it's a mistake to think of adjusting it just to make up for non-optimal camera exposure setting.
Sorry for verbose answer, but there is really no short answer which doesn't run the risk of being bad advice: best way to adjust "exposure" depends...
Cheers,
Rob

I have lost my "Basic" panel in the Develop module and can't figure out how to get it back. My right panel goes from the Histogram straight to the Tone Curve panel. My Basic panel should be below the Histogram. Any ideas how to get it back. I have even

I have lost my "Basic" panel in the Develop module and can't figure out how to get it back. My right panel goes from the Histogram straight to the Tone Curve panel. My Basic panel should be below the Histogram. Any ideas how to get it back. I have even uninstalled my lightroom and reinstalled it with same issue. Help!!!

Right click on or near one of the other headers and a pop-up will appear and you will be able to select the Basic Panel for viewing.

Color option of the Tone Curve of LR 5.2?

Where is it? It was there in 5.0 and 4.4.

You have to click on the curve icon at the bottom right of the Tone Curve panel

Abandon the Tone Curve?

I am finding that the new sliders in LR4 are extremely effective. I am wondering if routine Tone Curve adjustments are helpful any more. How do you feel about using the Basic Sliders for adjustments, and not using the Tone Curve? What would I be giving up by abandoning the Tone Curve?

EricBier wrote:
Jeff,
... I am at a loss to achieve precision using the Tone Curve in Lightroom since any move affects the entire image creating undesireable effects in areas I am not focused on. If I do not go to Photoshop, I tend to use the Adjustment Brush or the Graduated Filter in Lightroom to affect different areas differently, after setting the Basic Sliders.
In general, you are right--I find it best to go to PS for localized tone curve adjustments. But there are a surprising number of special cases where judicious maipulation of the LR curve can affect only the area you want affected.
For example, its an easy matter to bring out sky detail when photographing dark aircraft from below by increasing the curve slope in the bright region and restoring the curve shape at the mid and dark tones. This basically increases sky contrast (and detail) in a way that is not possible with other LR adjustments.
For the last few years I've been teaching a Photoshop class that emphasizes curves techniques like that in PS. I'm a new LR user and was surprised at how many images can be improved even without masks and with the relatively crude curve adjustments of LR.

Setting White/Black Points using the Tone Curve

I'm trying to set white/black points using the tone curve, but when I try to slide either of the end points of the line in the tone curve tool I can't get them to move. Could those be locked somehow...?

That's what it is supposed to do. Without the sliders, you are working with the curve itself. Now you have direct control of the curve, and can drag any part of it. Have you considered setting your white and black points using the whites and blacks in the basic panel while holding down the alt/opt key? I suppose the reason it says point curve is because that icon is what you used to switch to the point curve.

Does the BlackBerry Curve 9300 support OTG?

I have a BlackBerry Curve 9300. I was recently shopping and saw a flashdrive that can be plugged into smartphones to transfer data between your phone and another device. The package said something about OTG. Does the BlackBerry Curve 9300 have OTG? Or is there any way to get OTG support for my phone?
If not, are there any other microUSB drives that would not require OTG support to be compatible with my phone?

Hello Rohit,
Thanks for your post..!
Please check below mentioned links, these may help you
https://github.com/mjrusso/videostreaming-blackberry
http://docs.blackberry.com/en/smartphone_users/deliverables/18349/711-01774-123_Supported_Media_Typ...

RGB Channel unavailable in Camera Raw under point in the Tones Curve

How can I use the the RGB channel in Camera Raw under Tone Curve?

Hi yariel83,
Make sure under the Camera Calibration tab that the Process is set to 2012.

Where are the Tone Curve presets in the Lightroom Presets folder?

Hi
I have recenty had to reinstall all my software, and manged to find most of my old Lightroom settings in the Lightroom Presets folder (inside the Appdata folder on a PC) but I seem to have lost my custom tone curves.
Do you know which folder they should be in (indise the Lightroom Presets folder)
Thanks in advance
PS: I STILL don't understand why there are TWO comminty forums for Lightroom; it just doesn't make sense to me?!
Edward

Edward Allen wrote:
PS: I STILL don't understand why there are TWO comminty forums for Lightroom; it just doesn't make sense to me?!
You aren't the only one, and neither is going away any time soon.

I have a Dead Spot in the Tone Curve

I have noticed when using a tablet while working in LR5 I have a dead spot in the upper part of the curve near the highlights portion. I thought it was just a result of my tablet being old and a cheaper model. I tested it with a new Intuos 5 Touch and had the same problem. I go to drag down or up on the upper part of the curve and it doesn't move or hangs up. It happens in all RGB channels also. Has anyone else had this problem or know why this happens? Thanks!

Try:
- Reset the iOS device. Nothing will be lost
Reset iOS device: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Reset all settings
Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset All Settings.
All your preferences and settings are reset. Information (such as contacts and calendars) and media (such as songs and videos) aren’t affected.
- Restore from backup. See:
iOS: Back up and restore your iOS device with iCloud or iTunes
- Restore to factory settings/new iOS device.
If still problem, make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store since it appears you have a hardware problem.

Does the Blackberry Curve have this security feature?????

I have had a number of cellphones in my day, all with modest security features. Then I came across a Samsung phone...This phone allowed me to lock down everything, to the point that if someone turned the phone off and turned it back on it was still locked, but I digress.
I know have purchased the BBerry 8330. I have tinkered around within the security setting and I am not that happy. I want to be able to restrict incoming and outgoing calls. At present, if the phone is "locked" a call will still show and it will still be able to be answered which in my estimation defeats the purpose of locking the phone. Can anyone help me?

hello,
when I turn my Curve off (red button) then turn it on, I can't use the phone unless I type the 4 digits code. Until I do so, there is no network coverage, meaning I can't answer a call because the call never reaches my device.
If you don't have that, please check the security options :
home screen >> options >> Advanced options >> SIM card
then open the menu and set the security.
The search box on top-right of this page is your true friend, and the public Knowledge Base too:

Tone Curve RGB does not show up

I am using Windows 64 bit and there is no RGB choice on the tone curve.

Have to be in point curve mode and have to be in PV2012.

LR4.1 - Tone Curve - how to adjust individual RGB channels?

Hi,
I am having trouble figuring out how to adjust the curve of individual RGB channels. I am assuming the LR4 Tone Curve works like the PS Curves dialog with the channel dropdown.
The LR4.1 Help says:
To make adjustments to individual points on the tone curve, choose an option from the Point Curve menu, click the Edit Point Curve button , and do any of the following:
Choose an option from the Channel pop-up menu. You can edit all three channels at once, or choose to edit the Red, Green, or Blue channel individually.
When I click the little icon in the lower right corner of the Tone Curve panel, the panel shrinks so that I don't see the Regions sliders. If I click again, they are visible again. I can't find where to select one of the three indvidual channels.
The Help refers to "the Point Curve menu." Where is the Point Curve menu? Is the Point Curve different from the Tone Curve?
If I right-click (Windows) in the curve dialog, the context menu has a Show Info option. I click it on/off and don't see any change or any info. Where should I be looking for info?
Thanks for any help here.
John

Good morning John,
The point curve is the one without the sliders. The adjustments for the individual channels are only available with
PV2012. You must be editing a file with PV2010 or 2003. When in PV2012 you will see " Channels: RGB" below the curve window. Click on the doule triangles following the RGB
to pick the individual channel.
HTH
Rich

Tone curve RGB

I am trying to alter individual RGB channels within the tone curve box, but I don't get a pop up dialoge box. I saw a mention of PV 2010 and PV 2003, but I don't know what these are, or if one can convert to them.

Look in the camera calibration panel and it will tell you. Alternatively, if you're seeing the current set of sliders in the basic panel (e.g. highlights, shadows, etc.) then that would confirm you're using PV2012.
Go to tone curve, click on the little curves button at the bottom, and you'll be in point curve mode. Click on the RGB button to choose a colour channel.
As you're on the web, I recommend searching for "process version Lightroom" to find out more about that side of things.
M

Feature Request: RGB Histograms / Tone Curves

Hi team,
It would be really helpful to be able to view the RGB Histograms separately in addition to a composite (rather than the "compact" mode we have now).
It would also be really helpful to be able to adjust the Tone Curve applied to an individual RGB channel in Develop.
Finally, it would be most helpful to be able to see the RGB values as well as or instead of the RGB percentages when moving the cursor over an image area. This would be particularly helpful for fine-tuning skin tones.
Thanks, and keep up the great work.
We're delighted you're evolving Lightroom!
Cheers,
Matthew

Your post seems to assume that Lightroom is a tool for travel/landscape photography, and other types of photography (e.g., portrait/fashion) should be supported by a "specialized add-on module". I have to disagree with you on that point. Considering many of the examples on the Lightroom marketing are fashion shoots, I would think that they considers portrait/fashion photographers to be an important part of their target audience. They are not a fringe group of specialists.
I'm sure that portrait/fashion photographers would feel the same way about a Lightroom capability that primarily benefits the workflow of a travel/landscape photographer, i.e., when I do do some landscape work, I just edit in Photoshop. But you wouldn't agree to that, would you?
Skin tone measurement can be an incredibly easy tool to implement. It can be something as simple as showing the CMY values alongside the RGB values during a mouseover. Keep in mind, I'm talking about CMY not CMYK, so there should be no need to worry about what ICC profile to use. RGB to CMY is a straightforward transformation. It's embarassingly simple.
There are other ways Adobe can implement skin tone management that would be more powerful but a little more complicated. Those would be great too.
Anyway, thanks for the link to the Adobe feature request page! I will use it.
Regards,
Mike

Does the Tone Curve operate in RGB or Lab?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for