Photoshop, Adobe Camera Raw, Curves, Sharpening, Noise Reduction

Tone Curve

This is a continuation of seven articles on Photoshop CS4, Adobe Camera Raw.

White Balance, Targeted Adjustment, Crop, Straighten, Spot and Red Eye Removal
Adjustment Brush, Graduated Filter, Preferences        The Histogram, Basic Adjustments
Curves, Sharpening, Noise Reduction        Grayscale, Black And White, Split Toning
Lens Corrections, Camera Calibration    Examples Of Usage

Tone Curve Tab

The Tone Curve can give a large amount of tonal variation in the image to obtain a satisfying image.

Parametric Curve

The Parametric Curve Tab has four sliders below it to adjust the shape of the curve. The adjustments available are as follows.

  • Highlights – Adjusts the highlights
  • Lights – Adjusts the lighter tones
  • Darks – Adjusts the dark tones
  • Shadows – Adjusts the darker shadows

 

Tone Curve Parametric

 The parametris sliders have their limitations in the ranges provided and where this is the case, the adjustments below can be implemented using the point curve.

Point Curve

The point curve can simply be adjusted by clicking on the curve and moving it. It is far more flexible and provides a wider range of adjustment than the Parametric Curve.

Tone Curve – Point Curve

Detail Tab

Sharpening

Sharpening, sometimes called unsharp Masking, is a process where the edges of the image are searched for and the light side of the edges are lightened and the dark side of the edges are darkened. When sharpening it is best to view the image at 100%.

  • Amount –  The Amount slider determines how much of the Unsharp Masking is applied to the image.
  • Radius – The radius slider determines how far each side of the contrasting edges the sharpening will be applied. This is measured in pixels width.
  • Detail – The Detail slider when set to low levels emphases the sharpening on blured edges, when set to higher levels it emphasises the sharpening on textures.
  • Masking – The Masking slider restricts the sharpening to the strongest edges and will not sharpen on blured areas or skys where there is little contrast.
Detail – Sharpening/Noise Reduction

Noise Reduction

The noise reduction reduces the grainy pattern in images. Noise reduction is generally only required at higher ISO settings. Again when applying noise reduction the image should be viewed at 100%. Too much noise reduction can degrade the image.

  • Luminance – Applies noise reduction to the luminance content of the image.
  • Color – Applies noise reduction to the color content of the image.

 

This article is continued in seven parts as follows.

White Balance, Targeted Adjustment, Crop, Straighten, Spot and Red Eye Removal
Adjustment Brush, Graduated Filter, Preferences        The Histogram, Basic Adjustments
Curves, Sharpening, Noise Reduction        Grayscale, Black And White, Split Toning
Lens Corrections, Camera Calibration    Examples Of Usage