Capture One Pro - Understanding Curves

Just about all editing applications have the curves dialogue. The basic idea behind the tool is that it presents the user with a way to adjust tonal ranges in the image, set black and white points, lighten or darken the overall image, as well as adjust colour castes and hues. That’s a lot for one tool which is why it is so important.
This tutorial goes into depth describing how the curves control works in Capture One Pro (version 16.3.1), although it's applicable to any curve dialogue in any editing platform. It's a fairly long tutorial so use the chapters below to jump to pertinent sections, particularly as I start with a refresher on the histogram.
Timeline:
00:00 Intro
01:15 How the histogram works
04:34 How the curve control works
07:16 Example of using the curve control in Capture One and overview of the control intself
09:37 Creating Control Points on the curve
10:48 Increasing contrast using the curve tool
12:41 Available curve presets in Capture One
13:53 Using lock points to anchor a curve section
16:00 Using the curve control and the difference between RGB and Luma curves
18:42 Adjusting contrast in a low contrast image using Luma Curve
19:37 Setting black and white points using the curve control
21:44 Conclusion

[@micheljodoin531]

By far the best videos about Capture One that I've seen. Very informative and precise. Thank you for your time and effort, it is really appreciated !!!

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Thanks for the feedback Michel. It’s much appreciated!

[@damianpritchett5489]

I agree.

[@AmirUnleashed]

Best curves explanation I've seen. please keep them coming!

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Thanks Amir. Happy that you found it useful. Will definitely be doing more

[@Lazybetdotcom]

Thanks Emil. The best structured and most informative video I have seen on any subject. Very much obliged to you for the hard work. If you have a Capture One course, I will happily pay to enroll.

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Thanks Jo. Apologies for the delayed response; I’m currently leading a workshop in Madagascar so not entirely on the pulse so to speak. I don’t have a c1 course yet, but do one on one online tutoring through www.natureslight.co.za .

[@Lazybetdotcom]

@@emilvonmaltitz Excellent. I will take a look at that.

[@marcofavale6705]

Hi Emil!
Thank you for your very effective tutorials. Suggestion for next topic is capture one styles. How to understand, create and use them. Thanks!

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Great suggestion Marco! I'll add it to the list. the list is definitely growing :D

[@johndwilliams]

I've played about with Capture One 21 and an earlier version for some time but have now decided to upgrade to the latest version and use it as my main editing software. It does have a steep learning curve but I'm finding your channel excellent at how to use it properly. Many of your subjects are easily applied to other software programs as well and you make it so easy to understand.

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Thanks John. I appreciate the feedback. Between workshops I’m hoping to put another one out in the next two weeks. Thanks for watching

[@laupek1]

Good presentation. I have gone thru other presentations but yours is the most easy to understand . Thank you.

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Brilliant! Glad that you found it useful. Making the information easily understandable is a core goal of mine. Happy that you found it so. Thanks for watching!

[@Flyers8810]

Really glad I came across your channel! Great explanation about curves that is easy to digest and comprehend. I hope this channel continues to grow and you keep putting out gems of videos like this!

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Thanks Jason! Will definitely keep at the channel…calm it my personal challenge for the year. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@metamaorphose6979]

Very good tutorial. Please keep up!

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Absolutely intend to. Thanks for watching!

[@Phil-ch2zj]

Thank you very clearly explained.

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Thanks Phil!

[@AlexSm1th]

Until now, this is the best curves explanation (for Capture One) and easy to handle all info that you provide. Tnx !!!

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Thanks Alex!

[@martinoberstein8431]

Fine presentation! Well structured and understandable. Thank you ever so much, Emil!

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Thanks Martin. I'm glad it was reasonable easy to follow.

[@jimwilliams4170]

Good presentation.

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Many thanks

[@numinoos]

Excellent tutorial. You might want to remind Capture One users the workflow order when working with Curves and Levels. Levels tool should come first as it affects the Curves histogram whereas the Curves tool does not affect the Levels histogram.

[@emilvonmaltitz]

That’s a good point. Will probably add that in a future ‘full edit workflow’ video

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Thanks

[@emilvonmaltitz]

It’s a pleasure

[@JDFloyd]

360p quality of the video makes it difficult to view.

[@emilvonmaltitz]

Give it some time for the higher resolution to finish processing I guess