Editing & Post-Production
Curves
Also called: RGB curves, luma curve, curve adjustment
Drag a point on the line and everything at that brightness level moves with it. Lift the middle and the picture brightens overall; pull the shadows down while lifting the highlights and you get the S shape, the classic contrast move. The power is in the precision, because you can change midtones and leave the black point untouched, which sliders will not do. Separate red, green and blue curves push colour into specific tonal ranges. Work small.