If You Learn How To Use The CURVES Tool For Your Color Grading, You Can Do Almost ANYTHING!

The Curves tool is arguably one of the MOST POWERFUL tools in your color grading arsenal. If you learn the ins and outs of the RGB, Luma, Red, Green, and Blue Curves, you can basically do an ENTIRE GRADE with just this one tool!
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Table of Contents:
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - What Is The Curves Tool?
1:52 - How Do We Use Curves?
4:30 - Sponsor Segment
5:30 - What is the Luma Curve?
7:10 - What are the Red, Green, & Blue Curves?
9:20 - Adding Contrast With Curves
10:40 - Setting Black & White Points With Curves
11:25 - Create A Film Fade With Curves
12:30 - Powerful White Balance With Curves
14:25 - Adding Color Contrast Using Curves
16:55 - Editing An Entire Photo Using ONLY Curves
17:55 - Conclusion
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[@kh1188ish]

Never realized the difference between RGB vs Luma curve adjustment. Your example on the impact those curves have on a portrait was so helpful.

[@dunnadidit]

Glad to hear it!!

[@joemarvelly6181]

Ditto!!! Such useful info, brilliantly explained and displayed. 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@itswrongtokillanimalsifyou2837]

I've recently come up with a quick workflow using curves. I've only tried it on B&W so far, so take it for what it's worth: 1. Use the exposure slider to get your basic level of exposure into the ballpark. There might be other basic adjustments that would fit here, but I haven't yet worked out which ones. 2. [In curves] Grab the black point and raise it vertically ~ 10-15% so it's easier to distinguish information in the dark parts of the image during the following step. Now move the black point to the right until whatever dark pixels that you DON'T need in your final image have disappeared (will help to focus the viewer's eye on what's relevant). Finally, adjust the point vertically until you get a pleasing level of black (for example a dark grey for that washed-out look). 3. Do the same for the white point/level. 4. Make a point in the middle of the curve and adjust it to taste. 5. Create a point each between the mid point and the black and white points respectively. Adjust these two new points to your liking. 6. Maybe give the middle point another try. 7. Finally, leave curves and finish with exposure, contrast and brightness/gamma sliders. 8. Toggle the before/after button of your photo editing software and then file a request to legally change your name to "Ansel Adams 2.0".

[@clementhumbert322]

Certainly the best video i've ever seen explaining how curves work. Everything is clear with great example. Nice job !

[@BarrySachais]

I've been using C1 for one year. During that time it's been my go-to editor. The C1 webinars are absolutely the finest webinars. David Glover and Paul Riefer have taught me an enormous amount about photo editing and C1. A few days ago I came across your Advanced Color Editor tutorial on KZbin. Then I watched your Basic tab tutorial. And then the Curves tutorial. All three are outstanding. In a short time, I learned so much. Adding you to Glover and Riefer I've found the holy trinity. My gosh you guys, along with the C1 webinars, well I'm getting a college education. One added point, after watching your Curves tutorial (twice), I fixed a blown-out sky using only the perfect mask tool and the curves blue and green channels. It took all of 30 seconds. I would have never known to try this technique. Thank you very, very much for the extremely well-presented tutorials. Either you are a former teacher, a current teacher, or, perhaps you should have made teaching your career.

[@ashikmcr7806]

This is the best video on tone curves man, killed this one. Whenever I look for tone curves most of the people talk only about the RGB not about single channels this is gold 👍🏽 thanks man

[@omg_komondoos]

I've always been scared of using the curves, after this video i feel pumped to use them more 🙏🏼 Well done man thank you 🖤

[@ramonarias1234]

+1

[@davidjones8070]

Being a C1 convert for many years the introduction of masking and luma curves makes it simple to hone any image. Combine masking with luma and it’s truly insane what you can do. 👍🏻

[@owlmega-101]

This vid is priceless, period. I'm gonna try to utilize this concept into music production too, you know, the saturation/waveshaping curves kind of things. I think it's more subtle and thus difficult to observe changes in audio than visual. So if these two realm can be combined that'd be wonderful. I'm a musician and just starting to learn a little bit about video production, and I really like your voice, teaching, production, literally eveything. You're so inspiring.

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks so much! I wonder if you like my stuff because I’m a musician, producer, and recording engineer turned videographer, so on some level you can connect with that 😜

[@mindybluephotography]

I understand curves so much better now! Very thorough tutorial. Thank you!

[@dunnadidit]

So glad to hear that!

[@rdmstudios4450]

Great video Dunna. The order in which you explained matched with the thought process of how I'd want to learn it. From the sequence of examples and the time at which you showed the A/B comparison it was clear and also motivating. Thank you very much. Being a music producer who also into video production, I found this to is a gem.

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks so much for saying that! I reorganized the order of info a couple times for that exact reason. So I’m glad to hear it worked!

[@Joliaux76]

One of the most comprehensive video on the subject I have seen, thank you 👍

[@ahmedsuleiman1130]

Superb work on the endless benefits and invaluable skills of curves in Capture One. You did a great detail job here. I learnt a lot. God bless!

[@timo7209]

The best tone curve tutorial I have seen so far, thank you

[@gundamaction1201]

Great video Dunna! The best tutorial out there explaining how to use curve!

[@NotThatRyanReynolds]

Thank you so much for this! I thought I had a pretty good understanding of curves, but you just taught me a ton!

[@dunnadidit]

Thats exactly what I was hoping to do with this video! Cheers!

[@milan-to4hq]

this was a very helpful video bro; I understand a lot more about colour grading since you explained it so clearly and concisely! :)))

[@aloromot4110]

Best curves video I have watched, thanks. I am currently pretty conservative with my curves. I feel a bit more confident now.

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Such helpful information. Thx so much Dunna! 💛🙏🏼

[@alexrasmussen3758]

Every video has so much knowledge and information! Love it man, keep up the good work!

[@dunnadidit]

Thank you so much!!

[@jackburman]

Great video! Love the channel.

[@Kiwicruiser355]

Finally,, I have learnt why/when/ what I can do with curves. Thank you.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

thanks so much for this tutorial!! so helpful!!

[@oamyway975]

Excellent video 👌 Very detailed 👍 Thank you. Waiting for since more like this in future 👍 🙏

[@jasonoverdorff4203]

Hey man great video! Thanks!

[@MrSIRCOFF]

Brother, you helped me a ton. I had shot some video and my settings on one camera recorded with way too much contrast and I never thought of doing the inverted S curve as you showed to lessen contrast. I tried everything else and I had the most crappy blacks that just looked smashed to the max. Just some slight inverted S curve action and wow what a huge difference. I was thinking there wasn't much to learn since we all think we sort of know the deal with curves but the inverted S curve totally never occurred to me. That's the beauty of so many YT vids,..you see content that is mostly a refresher then the guy/gal shows something you hadn't learned or ever tried and Boom...an extremely useful tip to save a project from mediocrity!!! Thanks Bro!

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks for sharing! So glad to hear it helped you! I know what you mean when you get that one little special nugget of info from a video that kinda changes a lot!

[@berkletheclownsvideos2461]

This was so great! Thank you

[@cfunkrenegade]

Yesssss easily the best explained on curves I've seen. Thanks!

[@dunnadidit]

Glad to hear it! Thanks Chris!

[@kullumphoto]

I feel much comfortable using curves because of you now...thank you!

[@CaseyGrimley]

Very well put together Dunna, thank you!

[@sangmoonkim2335]

Excellent ! This is by far the best lecture on Curves !

[@RadianFilms64]

Great explanation! Thanks for sharing! So easy to use, yet so powerful.

[@Propellerhead1]

Really well explained, thanks man 👊

[@ocimaging]

Dunna Did It again!!!! Awesomely explained video, love it.

[@DIWINGSTON]

well how did i miss this appreciate this content dunna thanks brother

[@ngocvofoto]

thank you so much, it's informative and useful, it helps me save so much time to editing photos

[@TheLensSchwendi]

thank you, Dunna. I learned a lot from this video!

[@alsteiner7602]

Good tutorial bro. Just right on the detail👊

[@nicechannel5754]

Your so good explaining all the details. Thank you so much for that :) definitely will watch all your videos ❤️

[@dunnadidit]

Thank you!!

[@Sticks55]

I've been looking for a video like this for a while! Very understandable! And as I am also in Edmonton.....well I just had to like and subscribe! Stay warm, it's going to be a frigid Christmas!

[@ickeausberlin36]

That was so valuable, thanks a lot. I have been editing my photos with Lightroom for a while now but never really touched the color curves because I did not know what I am doing. Sometimes I felt out of control over my colors when I was editing for brightness only and now I know why. Just tried the film fade as well and it looks so sweet. Thanks again.

[@dunnadidit]

That’s great to hear!!

[@tumiseroka437]

Your really good teacher enjoying learning from you

[@Tastewithnewdrinks]

Thanks for sharing.

[@SwanSycorax]

Excellent. Thanks for this.

[@cmar6268]

Excellent tutorial! Ty!

[@dunnadidit]

Cheers!!

[@goldfinch2283]

Great tutorial! 👍

[@PaulFeinberg]

What a pro! Good breakdown….so crazy. I just use S-Curves but this was crazy detailed. Nice job!

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks dude! Hopefully you picked up a new trick or two.

[@ramonarias1234]

Great vid.. instant subscribed!

[@Hobby-tripInfo]

Very well explained how to work with curves. The video is excellent and teaches what it needs to.🙂

[@linjunhong2005]

I learned alot thanks ❤

[@christianloudet7909]

Thanks a lot for this tuto 🙏🏻 Your explanations are very precise. Hello from France and Merry Chistmas !!!!!

[@dunnadidit]

Hello from Canada and Merry Christmas!

[@Jadesfishing]

Sick video dude!! I never knew you were in Edmonton. I’m located in Calgary and man is it ever cold out!! Stay warm man cheers!

[@nothinglastsforever2867]

thank you so much, really healp , great job

[@m_tth_w9647]

Thanks so much

[@musabinho]

Well explained 👏👏

[@kevincheung2066]

I'm actually following along to my picture I took of the Muttart 😄 Thanks for explaining Luma, that was a great tidbit to learn!

[@dunnadidit]

Haha that’s awesome!! I may or may not have done a little cleanup to make that pyramid stand on its own first lol. No trees or other buildings.

[@joseholguin436]

Fantastic video!

[@DavidWinstead]

Great video man. I use curves all the time when color grading my videos.

[@dunnadidit]

Nice!

[@Fotogoscar]

I love using CO. I use curves but was not confident in using the color curves. I like the example you provided when comparing white balance adjustment vs curves. Thanks

[@dunnadidit]

It's such a cool thing because there are also several other ways to do half the things I mentioned. But curves seems to be the most consistent across different editing programs.

[@Pr0deDADY]

Thanks !

[@trentschlamp]

Hi from Northern Alberta! Capture One guy here as well, this was super well done bro, very nice!

[@ORodTech]

This is a great breakdown and super simply explained. Thank you!

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks Oscar! It was a tough one too. As soon as you toss in graphs... I know half of the people just start to get lost so I tried to make it nice and easy!

[@ORodTech]

@@dunnadidit yea I know what you mean! You definitely did an awesome job while still going into detail

[@shadowboxer2747]

That is super cold 🥶

[@cwarfield]

Good stuff. Thank you!

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks for watching Chris!

[@DunkForbes]

thanks for this very helpful explanation.

[@dunnadidit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davneetdhatt]

Great video, my friend... I live in edmonton, too, and it's really 🥶 today.

[@giallodreams]

The amount of gems in this video, salute

[@TheAdamToy]

This is a great video Dunna! A lot of us have been needing something like this! You went in depth and explained everything well. Thanks for this!!

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks so much Adam! Glad you liked it!

[@BrandonTalbot]

That was rad thanks Dunna!

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks brother!

[@danielruff5693]

Congrats to 170k dude! 2020 -> 200k eaaaasy!

[@mindlessmayhem3354]

I’m from South Edmonton as well and yeah…this cold ain’t a whole lot of fun, lol! Thanks for the great Vid, I’m just a few months into this new hobby and passion of filmmaking and editing and your videos have helped me out a lot!

[@dunnadidit]

Haha It's a little nicer now, but it was chilly last week when I filmed this! Hope you're keeping warm!

[@johndarylucmayon]

Luma is the same luminance curve in lightroom,thanks bro that gives me an idea keep it up

[@jmackultra]

You know, I often get envious of the Canadian creators because I believe they're blessed with some of the most beautiful country on the planet to photograph. Then y'all say things like -28 degrees and I am thankful I am where I am. I went to the beach yesterday.

[@storiesbyad]

Perfect explanation of the tool....👍

[@dunnadidit]

Glad you liked it!!

[@FenzirL]

Woow! This was great!🙌🏻🙌🏻 I loved the earlier intro tune better ! 😛

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks so much.

[@castielvargastv7931]

I always grade with curves. Its complex but i love the results.

[@joshuadtaft]

Hands down, curves is one of my favorite tools, which I use almost exclusively in any editing software. I wish Adobe would include it in their masks, and maybe even have a global layering option.

[@dunnadidit]

Yeah that’s one of my FAVORITE things about capture one, when you make a mask or a layer, you get ALL the tools

[@go_rideyourbike]

That was damn good. As a beginner I truly appreciate all videos I could find that go into detail on color grading. I’m sick of ending with pink/red faces on my photos. Thanks!

[@dunnadidit]

Lots more coming too!

[@kevinpaterson6052]

Keep warm!

[@dunnadidit]

I’m trying!!

[@kennguyen222]

*good job bro*

[@kiw33]

15:28 I'm colorblind, so it was pretty funny to watch absolutely same "before/after" pics

[@ciriciri9071]

Nice one Dunna.. next video about Level please

[@elizabethgriffin6719]

This is a game changer 🤩

[@dunnadidit]

Glad to hear it!!

[@LotharRadscheid]

I never been in Canada but i think i love it, but -28 it's too cold for me ,thx bro for your video

[@alweis108]

Cool and simple explained! :) What app do you use on your smartphone for fast machining after moving away from lightroom?

[@alancobb387]

Great video Dunna! Is it fair to say that most (not necessarily all) sliders and tools in software are making adjustments to these curves just more selectively or in an ‘easier’ way?

[@dunnadidit]

Totally! In the end there are only so many things you can adjust. Color and light really. Curves is just one way of doing it that is a bit more flexible and user driven, the sliders are kind of pre-determined and fixed options

[@frankmarest814]

curves, the complete tool..... thanks !

[@dreamontis]

A comprehensive guide to the curves tool! Very well done and very interesting, thanks!

[@dunnadidit]

Thanks so much!!

[@darksidevenom6]

Your from my stopping ground!!! Thats dope, yeah I couldnt even take my dog for a walk

[@KhalidAskar]

I won't lie, curves have always been intimidating for me. I've used it on a few things but never understood it enough to be confident. but this video made me understand it to the point Im excited for my next project .

[@dunnadidit]

Yay!!

[@hipsterise]

I like more Curve tool in Capture One than in Lightroom because of Luma Curve. Otherwise, I need to open Photoshop and put in blending mode Luminosity.

[@ranadhirbiswas4095]

There is another option you can try. It's called levels in CO and does the same thing but it is way more easier to handle the red, green and blue.

[@dunnadidit]

Agreed 100% but I didn’t wanna get too complicated… I LOOOOOOVE the levels. It’s such a great way to get things moved around where you want them smoothly. And it happens “before” the curves in the chain so you can kind of set yourself up for tweaking with curves after

[@ervinisimo]

Hey what’s that devise you’re using to colour grade? Cheers

[@renejul2534]

Dammm... good video

[@NasusMiniatures]

This may be a dumb question, but can this gimbal be screwed onto a regular sized tripod and used as a tripod gimbal head?

[@user-ib5ro4ri2p]

Hey, show how RGB(152,240,163) can be acheived on the RGB graph, basically convert the numerical values to graph

[@Ultrarmx]

Thank you so much in explaining the S curves. You explained it so much better then any other KZbinr.

[@dunnadidit]

Thank you so much!!

[@shimmat1]

What's the make and model of the monitor you use?

[@crweewrc1388]

Can someone explain the difference between using color wheels and rgb curves for color grading?

[@DigitalAlchemyst]

when you are editing the portrait with just the curves, I noticed the fuzzy part of the jacket has the sky shining through blue, and the sky is bright white. Would you have any advice on fixing this?

[@dunnadidit]

You can see if chromatic Aberration reduction will fix it but you could also use a mask and reduce blue on only that area

[@PSphotography-qb9rn]

nice