Levels and Curves to get the film look, but both?

[Matt Grunau]

We all pretty much know that if you use Curves for you gamma you can achieve more of a film "look". We also know that setting the Levels (as in Levels in After Effects) is a good thing. But do most of you do both? and if so, in what order? I have been usually applying Levles, then Curves, but sometimes, it seems almost too much of an effect. And often, changing the order of them changes the look.

Just curious to see what you guys have found to be to your liking the most.

 

[Scottdvx100]

Everything you can do with levels you can do with curves.
You can apply both (in either order) as long as you don't compress in one and then expand in the other. (If you used levels to make it darker and then lightened it in curves the values woudl have already been lost)

 

[Matt Grunau]

Everything you can do with levels you can do with curves.
You can apply both (in either order) as long as you don't compress in one and then expand in the other. (If you used levels to make it darker and then lightened it in curves the values woudl have already been lost)

Makes good sense. Out of curiosity, which do you prefer? Or, when tweaking, do you sometimes choose one over the other?

 

[Scottdvx100]

Levels tend to be easier and faster to deal with.
If there's a specific gray range that needs to be brought up or down then I go into curves.
If you're not creating a curve in curves then you should be able to do the same in levels easier.

 

[Matt Grunau]

That's pretty much the same thing I do. Thanks. I just wanted to check and see what successes others have found.

 

[HorseFilms]

I'm a curves guy (and I'm not just talking about women here). I really like the way it makes everything pop when adjusted properly.