curves in Photoshop and Lightroom 2

[mapgirl]

Is the Tone Curve tool in Lightroom 2 much the same as the Curves tool in Photoshop? I ask because I'm getting Lightroom and I have PSE 7. I know there's a curves plug-in available for PSE, but wonder whether I'll need it.

[Samanax]

I know the Curves tool in Lightroom is very similar to the Curves tool in ACR (Adobe Camera RAW) but I'm not sure just how similar it is to the Curves tool in Photoshop.

Many of the adjustment tools in Lightroom are similar to the ones found in ACR.

[drr0b]

Hi mapgirl ,
I also have PSE7, and have upgraded to LR2. One big advantage that LR2 has over PSE is that you can change the curves by dragging the curve itself; PSE7 only lets you change curves via sliders instead of dragging the curve itself (though there is a curves plugin as you say). A very cool feature of lightroom is that you can also change the curves by selecting a spot on the region that you want to lighten or darken; all parts of the image with the same tone will be affected in the same way. This also works with changing the hue, saturation or luminance of a particular colour in the image- how cool is that?

Since you're getting lightroom, you don't need to worry about the curves plugin for PSE

Hope this helps

[mapgirl]

Originally Posted by drr0b

Hi mapgirl ,
I also have PSE7, and have upgraded to LR2. One big advantage that LR2 has over PSE is that you can change the curves by dragging the curve itself; PSE7 only lets you change curves via sliders instead of dragging the curve itself (though there is a curves plugin as you say). A very cool feature of lightroom is that you can also change the curves by selecting a spot on the region that you want to lighten or darken; all parts of the image with the same tone will be affected in the same way. This also works with changing the hue, saturation or luminance of a particular colour in the image- how cool is that?

Since you're getting lightroom, you don't need to worry about the curves plugin for PSE

Hope this helps

Thanks for responding. I'm a little confused though. I've never noticed a curves tool already in PSE7. Are you saying that the curves tool in regular Photoshop (rather than PSE) is basically the same as the one in Lightroom 2 (does the same things)? That's what I'm asking.

[Samanax]

They're similar and the way they affect the image is basically the same (contrast and saturation) but you have more controls with the Curves tool in Photoshop (you can manipulate the separate RGB channels in Photoshop Curves).

The Curves tool in Lightroom is almost exactly the same as the Curves tool in Adobe Camera RAW (ACR).

[mapgirl]

Originally Posted by Samanax

They're similar and the way they affect the image is basically the same (contrast and saturation) but you have more controls with the Curves tool in Photoshop (you can manipulate the separate RGB channels in Photoshop Curves).

The Curves tool in Lightroom is almost exactly the same as the Curves tool in Adobe Camera RAW (ACR).

Thanks Samanax!

[drr0b]

Hi mapgirl,

PSE7 has a very crude curves adjuster built in; you can find it by going to

Enhance -> Adjust Colour -> Adjust Colour Curves. You get 4 sliders to play with: highlights, midtone brightness, midtone contrast and shadows. There are a few presets to play with. However, you can't just drag the curve, like you can in lightroom (or ACR).

I've thought of one advantage of the PSE plugin (smartcurves): you can do curves for red, green and blue separately, and also work in different colour spaces. That might be a bit advanced for you though (it is for me!). The only thing I've done with it is some fun retro effects, helping the image look like an old photo

[Samanax]

I installed Grant's Tools when I was using Elements 6. It gives you curves as well as a channel mixer and a layer mask.

If you're interested, check out the information found here.