ARTCollaborations News   •   February 13, 2018

with just a few simple steps you can use the Curves Adjustment Layer in Photoshop to add extra depth and vibrancy to your artwork. It is also an excellent way to add depth and interest to your photographs as well and can make a huge difference in how vivid the image looks overall.

1. Go to the Adjustments Tab and select Curves

You can also go to Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Curves in the Top Menu
Additionally you can also use the Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer button on the bottom of the Layers Panel (4th Button – Dual Color Circle Icon).

2A. Select/Click On the Layer
2B. Change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.
3. Adjust the Curves to suit your tastes.

To make the image/highlights brighter, simply click in the graph around the 3rd vertical line and drag upward until you get it where you like it.
To make the image/shadows darker, simply click in the graph around the 1st vertical line (or before) and drag downward until you get it where you like it.
To adjust the mid-tones of the image lighter or darker, click in the graph around the 2nd vertical line and drag upwards to go lighter and downwards to go darker.

4. Change the Opacity of the Layer to around 50% (or to what suits your needs best)