With Power Comes Complexity

I find that the majority of Photoshop users never truly master (or even become comfortable with) Curves, just as some people never drive cars with manual transmissions. Perhaps the first time they tried to drive with a clutch, they drove up a really steep hill and encountered a stop sign at the top. Then, maybe a big garbage truck pulled up behind them within what seemed like an inch of their bumper.

If you've ever driven a car with a clutch, you know what I'm getting at. When you're not comfortable with something and are forced to use it in a challenging situation, the tendency is to give up. However, if you've spent enough time getting comfortable with a manual transmission, you don't even think about it when you're driving. Curves works the same way. If you just play around with it, you might get scared off, but if you hang in there, it becomes easier to use, and you'll find yourself doing some amazing things to your images. This chapter might seem long-winded, but the truth is that until you truly “get” Curves, you will be a prisoner of Photoshop's less powerful tools. So, fasten your seatbelt, adjust your rearview mirror, and settle in for the ride.