Quick Color Correcting Using Curves Adjustment Layer

Learned this invaluable basic color correcting tip years ago in a book by Scott Kelby, Photoshop guru, and have used it on every image since.

1. Create Adjustment Layer. Open an image. At the bottom of the Layers window, select the Curves... Adjustment layer. In the screen that pops up, you'll see a curves graph with a grayed out histogram behind it of the pigment in the photo.

2. Set Black. Just beneath the graph are 3 eyedroppers. Double click on the black eyedropper (far left), set your black RGB values to 10-10-10 and click ok. You'll find that the black eyedropper is still selected. Roll over the image's darkest spots until you find the blackest (helpful to have your info menu showing to help you do this) and click on it.

3. Set White. Now double click on the white eyedropper (far right) and set the RGB values to 240-240-240. With the white eyedropper still selected, roll over the image's lightest spots until you find the lightest and click on it.

4. Set Gray. This is where the meat is. Double click on the middle eyedropper, the RGB values should be 128-128-128. With the gray eyedropper still selected, click on something in the image that should be (but might not be) gray. This step isn't always easy and may require several attempts. When you're happy with the results, click ok.

5. Quick global adjustments. Once you've set your 3 color points, you can apply global lightening or darkening very easily. To lighten, grab the middle of the straight graph line and move it up. To darken, grab the middle of the straight graph line and move it down. You'll notice that a dot was created on the line where you grabbed it. You can then grab a different spot on the line and move it up or down to lighten or darken highlights or shadows.

6. Flexibility of Adjustment Layers. The greatest thing about adjustment layers is that you haven't changed the original image layer. You can add the curves adjustment layers to accommodate different printers or display situations. If you've shot a series of images with the same lighting, you can copy a curves adjustment layer by dragging it into another image.