I know it has Curves, but I just never got the hang of Curves. I like Levels in Aperture, but I don't always want to go through an import (with stills used for a time lapse movie, for example).
This is not a perfect correlation but it should give you some ideas:
The Exposure slider (and to some extent the Recovery slider) has an effect similar to the right-side adjustment of levels - it adjusts the white clipping point.
The Blacks slider has an effect similar to the left-side adjustment of levels - it adjusts the black point.
The Brightness slider has an effect similar to the middle adjustment of levels - it adjusts the mid-tones.
As I said, it's not exactly the same but if you want it simple, that is pretty close.
Don't be afraid of curves. One thing that helped me was to think along the following:
- Making a part of the curve steeper increases contrast for those tones (pushes those tones apart).
- Making a part of the curve flatter reduces contrast (scrunches those tones together).
- Since the curves are all connected that means increasing contrast in one portion of the line "steals" contrast from somewhere else. You need to decide where you need the contrast and where you don't.
Also, it is easy to use Curves like Levels if you want to. Just move the upper-right point of the line to the left to simulate the right control of Levels. Move the lower-left point to the right to simulate the left control of Levels. Move the middle of the line up or down to simulate the middle control of Levels. Piece of cake!
The Exposure slider (and to some extent the Recovery slider) has an effect similar to the right-side adjustment of levels - it adjusts the white clipping point.
The Blacks slider has an effect similar to the left-side adjustment of levels - it adjusts the black point.
The Brightness slider has an effect similar to the middle adjustment of levels - it adjusts the mid-tones.
As I said, it's not exactly the same but if you want it simple, that is pretty close.
Dr. Ray wrote:
I know it has Curves, but I just never got the hang of Curves. I like Levels in Aperture, but I don't always want to go through an import (with stills used for a time lapse movie, for example).
Is there a hidden Levels feature in Camera RAW?
You can adjust composite RGB levels (but not individual channels) in the Tone Curve panel. Select the options highlighted below. When you drag either of the end points toward the center, it's the same effect as the end-point sliders in levels.
