Photoshop Curves Vs Levels

[rajman]

Hi Guys,

What's the difference between Levels and Curves? You can
both use them to brighten / darken you images. When to use
curves and when do yah use Levels?

Also, What do you guys prefer to use?

[flipfreak]

curves allows more precise adjustments to the pic. levels is simpler but not as precise. up to u to play around n see what u prefer to use. i use curves when i want to be more precise and levels when i cannot be bothered. lol.

[night86mare]

curves allows more PRECISE adjustments

levels is a more general kind of thing; if you need a BLUNT tool, use levels
if you need a SHARP, PRECISE tool, use curves

i usually only use curves

[estel]

Levels give you an easier view of histogram. If you just want to adjust white point and black point, levels would be easier. This is usually sufficient for most photos, alone with mid point adjustment. Curves give you more finer control over the whole range by letting you define individually the way sub regions of the tonal curve behave.

[ortega]

there are more ways to do it then just curves and levels

[kurtlim]

bascially, level give you 3 positions to work--black, mid-tone and white. Curves give you virtually unlimited positions.

[zac08]

Originally Posted by rajman Hi Guys, What's the difference between Levels and Curves? You can both use them to brighten / darken you images. When to use curves and when do yah use Levels? Also, What do you guys prefer to use?

Some would reccomend using them together...

First use the levels to set the brightest point and the darkest point, this will give a more balanced picture in terms of contrast and brightness.

Next use the curves to adjust more accurately on the specific tonal areas which you need more boost or to drop...

[boyboy]

Originally Posted by night86mare curves allows more PRECISE adjustments levels is a more general kind of thing; if you need a BLUNT tool, use levels if you need a SHARP, PRECISE tool, use curves i usually only use curves

i get the impression that levels easier to cause clipping. how about curves? or is it because of the precision?

[WeiKhuen]

Originally Posted by boyboy i get the impression that levels easier to cause clipping. how about curves? or is it because of the precision?

Level does not easily cause clipping, neither curve does that. You are in control how much contrast and brightness to be added.

Books by Dan Margulis have alot of examples in using curve for color and contrast correction. I recommend reading :

1) Professional Photoshop Fifth Edition: The Classic Guide to Color Correction
2) Photoshop LAB Color: The Canyon Conundrum and Other Adventures in the Most Powerful Colorspace