Using CURVES- do you use Linear or other presets?

I was just looking at the image of the bear and cubs in the wildlife forum, and there were some comments on Linear Contrast or Curves and using a preset selection in Curves.
So my question ( and comment ) is: do you use an auto Curve selection or do you do it manually? And my comment is: I have never used auto-curves. I didn't even know what it was; I'll have to go look at it in PS. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever used any kind of auto-anything in Photoshop.
Yeah, I may waste time dragging sliders back and forth , but I just like to play with things, rather than settle for an auto setting. Maybe it's a control issue?

Genny,

Good question and one I have thought of too. That was my grizzly image so I am anxious to see the replies as well.

When you get into Curves go to the menu and linear contrast is one of the many selections available. You have to manually select it or Curves goes to a defaut setting.

Andrew

I use curves in the Canon DPP software when processing raw, and adjust for slight changes in mid-tone contrast.
Also occasionally use 'auto' tone and/or contrast in Adobe PS4 (TIFF), then adjust the 'fade' slider for the fine tuning I need.
So I guess we're in manual.. for the most part

I use the presets all the time. Mostly the Linear.

I almost always start with the Linear Contrast preset from the pulldown menu in PS CS3, because it is easy and usually a good start. Then I'll fine tune it or reduce the opacity of the layer.

I start with the Default--A straight line 'curve' and then adjust as needed.

Be aware that adjusting the curve in the RGB channel does affect color. So, if you only want to adjust the curve for tonal value, set the blending mode to 'Luminosity'.

Note, that if you use Curves to adjust color balance (by adjusting any, or all, of the R, G, B channels) leave the blending mode set to 'Normal'.

--P

This is intersting. I use curves all the time, but I have always just manually adjusted the curve, and watched to see what it does to to the image.
Preston- oh boy do I know that Curves affects color. You can come up with some really bizarre effects just by doing extreme Curves.

I usually start with Linear preset in a curves layer. It does the trick probably more than half the time. If not, I try other presets, and/or manual adjustments.