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Capture One C1



Under Windows the C1 logs can be found in the path C:UsersyournameAppDataLocalCaptureOneLogs. The folders in this user profile are hidden but here is described what to do: https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/57-How-to-retrieve-Capture-One-logs-#h7e7a7a74-bfa6-405f-8868-ee95e9eb50c3. Boost your photos with auto adjustments and instant looks – on us. Capture One Express is a free photo editing software for Nikon, Fujifilm or Sony cameras.

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED TECHNIQUE
Levels and curves are used for image tonal control; one of the most important steps in advanced post processing of images (including bird images). Both levels and curves allow you to:
  1. adjust the black and white points in an image (affecting global contrast);
  2. control highlights and shadows;
  3. adjust exposure;
  4. optimise the dynamic range in a flat image;
  5. remove a colour cast from an image (curves only); and
  6. even adjust colour tone in an image.
You can use both levels and curves on an image. There is no right or wrong choice, it is about what tool achieves your desired result.
Use levels when you wish to:
  1. change the black or white points to adjust global contrast;
  2. lighten or darken the image’s entire tonal range, e.g., to adjust for exposure errors;
  3. proportionally change the relationship of all the tones between the black and white points.
Curves is like levels on steroids. Use curves when you wish to:
  1. have complete control of your tonal adjustments;
  2. subtly adjust the relationship of the tonal values, e.g., lighten the highlights or darken the shadows;
  3. adjust the highlights only, the shadows only or the midtones only;
  4. adjust targeted tones, e.g., only the highlights close to being blown (clipped); or
  5. remove a colour cast.
Think of the differences between levels and curves this way: levels adjustments are global; curves adjustments can be global or targeted. The power of curves comes from the ability to make precise adjustments to the exact areas of the image you want. Curves gives you power and precision.
Curves, masks and layers
While curves and layers are a powerful way to adjust an image, modest changes can cause major changes to the image. Curves (more so than levels) can be tricky to use. Tip: this video here is a great introduction to curves. While it uses PS, the curves tool in C1 works in broadly the same way.
The power of curve adjustments grows exponentially when combined with layers and masks. If you create a curves layer and add a luminosity mask (say a Darks, Midtones or Highlights) the luminosity mask constrains the curve adjustment, allowing fine tuning of the adjustment. This combination of curves, masks and layers is a powerful technique, even for the more casual user. I often use a luminosity mask to constrain a curves layer adjustment.
The C1 curves tab

Capture One C1 Pro


The Curves Tab in C1 (like PS) allows even more precision than just adjusting the curve. You can make global adjustments using the RGB channel, but then make targeted adjustments based on luminosity values (Luma channel) which does not impact saturation levels (RGB does) or the individual Red, Green or Blue channels; or a combination of all five on the same layer!
Example: If you wished to make a curves adjustment on the reds in the shadow areas of the background, you would create a New Filled Adjustment Layer, then copy the background mask from the background layer, apply a Luma range to the background mask (so the layer only applied to the shadows and not the whole background). Go to the Curves Tab, choose the Red channel and make the curves adjustment. Any red in the highlights or midtones in the background would be unaffected by the curve adjustment. Plus, the Luminosity mask would ensure a seamless transition from the adjusted area to other parts of the image because the mask is based on the luminosity values of the image itself. If you only wanted to adjust the tonal value in the background shadows, not saturation, you would choose the Luma Tab instead of the Red Tab.
Another application would be a targeted curve adjustment to a bird’s Darks, Midtones, Highlights or colours, using the Luma channel to prevent over-saturation of colours.
Warning:

Capture One Touch Canon Dr-c120

as always only use a curve adjustment the minimum amount needed to achieve the desired result. Any curve adjustment which stretches the histogram increases the possibility of posterisation. Extreme changes in the RGB channel should be avoided as it may cause changes in hue and saturation (curve adjustments with the Luma channel will not impact saturation).Capture

Capture One C1 Review

This part of the forthcoming advanced post processing techniques I am writing up.