Do Lightroom Classic’s Point Curve and Parametric Curve affect colour?

Neither the Point Curve nor the Parametric Curve directly affects the colour of an image in Lightroom Classic. However, their adjustments can indirectly impact how colours appear based on changes in brightness and contrast.

Influence on Colour Perception

• Point Curve:
  • Adjusting the brightness in specific tonal ranges can influence how vibrant or muted certain colours appear.
  • For example, increasing brightness in the shadows might make darker colours look lighter and less saturated.
• Parametric Curve:
  • Similar to the Point Curve, working with the sliders affects overall exposure, which can change how colours are perceived.
  • Adjustments in highlights might enhance or reduce brightness in colours that correspond to lighter areas.

Colour Adjustments in Lightroom

While the Point and Parametric curves themselves are focused on tonal adjustments, Lightroom provides separate tools for colour correction:

1. RGB Curves: Adjusting the Red, Green and Blue curves alters the tonal values just like the Point Curve and allows for adjustments in the shadows, mids and highlights, but it’s not the easiest of tools to work with initially.
2. HSL Panel: Adjusts Hue, Saturation, and Luminance for specific colours.
3. Colour Grading Panel: Allows for more detailed colour adjustments in the shadows, midtones, and highlights.