Should you use Curves or Levels in Photoshop? Here are the differences

Both Curves and Levels are powerful Photoshop tools essential for adjusting not only brightness, and contrast, but also color. They can be interchangeable in some situations, they have key differences that make each better suited to specific tasks. In his latest video, Aaron Nace of PHLEARN gives you a detailed breakdown of their capabilities, hidden features, along with tips for using them effectively.

Start with adjustment layers

Before diving into the use of Curves and Levels, Aaron points out that it’s best to apply them as an adjustment layer, not directly to your image. He strongly recommends adjustment layers for three reasons:

• Non-destructive editing: Changes won’t be permanently applied to the image, letting you refine or undo adjustments anytime.
• Flexibility: Adjustment layers come with masks, allowing you to control where the changes apply—perfect for targeting specific parts of your photo.
• Reusability: You can return to the layer at any point and tweak the settings without starting over.

I learned this the hard way in the early days of my photography journey, but videos like this are great so you can avoid some of the costly mistakes. :) To create an adjustment layer, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer and select Curves or Levels. You can also click the adjustment layer icon in the Layers panel for quicker access.

Levels: The simpler tool for quick fixes

Levels are ideal for making basic tonal adjustments. Aaron breaks it down into three main controls, all pretty straightforward and intuitive:

• Black point slider: Adjusts how dark the darkest parts of your image appear.
• White point slider: Brightens the lightest areas.
• Midpoint slider: Shifts midtones, making the overall image lighter or darker.

He also points out the Output Levels slider, which is often overlooked. It lets you raise the black point or lower the white point, effectively muting contrast for a softer look.

As I said, Levels are really intuitive and great for beginners, but also seasoned photographers looking to quickly adjust exposure and contrast. However, they have limitations—you can’t add extra control points to the tonal range, which makes them less versatile for advanced edits.

Curves: A step beyond

Curves offer greater precision and control over your image’s tones. Like Levels, they allow you to adjust brightness and contrast, but with Curves, you can add multiple points to fine-tune specific parts of the tonal range. Aaron demonstrates how you can darken shadows and brighten highlights simultaneously, adjust midtones with more nuance, and add custom points to target specific areas of the histogram.

He also highlights the Hand Tool, a unique feature in Curves. This tool lets you click directly on your image to identify and adjust a specific tone or color. For instance, you can brighten a subject’s skin or deepen the shadows with pinpoint accuracy.

Working with color

Both tools allow you to work with individual color channels (Red, Green, and Blue), but Curves shine here. Aaron explains how to:

• Add or reduce specific colors in targeted areas. For example, dragging up in the Blue channel increases blues, while dragging down adds yellows (since Blue and Yellow are opposites).
• Use the Hand Tool for precise color adjustments. Clicking on skin tones, for example, can add more warmth or vibrancy without affecting the rest of the image.
• Curves are especially powerful for color grading and correcting subtle color imbalances, making them a must-have tool for professional-level editing.

Presets and auto adjustments

Aaron touches on the presets available in both tools, such as “Strong Contrast” or “Lighter.” While he finds them less useful for professional edits, they can be a helpful starting point for beginners. He also notes that both Curves and Levels include Auto Adjustments, which can quickly improve exposure and contrast with a single click.

So, which should you use?

Well, the short answer is that there’s no one tool to rule them all. Both tools are effective, useful, and after all, share many similarities. Here are Aaron’s recommendations:

• Use Levels for straightforward exposure adjustments, as they’re simpler and quicker to use.
• Use Curves for detailed tonal work and color correction, as they offer unmatched precision and control.

Aaron’s video dives deep into practical examples and advanced tips, including clever tricks like using layer masks to selectively apply adjustments. So, make sure to watch the entire video and pick up loads of practical knowledge from Aaron.

[Curves vs Levels in Photoshop: Learn The Difference | Phlearn]

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