[aragorn]

There has been a lot written about Curves and although Elements doesn't have the tool installed, I have found a free add on called SmartCurve and installed it. So far I have just been playing with it and it seems quite intriguing to say the least.
My question is this, how often would one need to use this tool and what are the benefits of having such a tool to hand.

[Richard_Lynch]

I have 27 presets for curves on the book's CD. Unless you are going to be shooting with a graycard (which I had in the book for Elements 2 and 3 but removed for Elements 4), you really don't need more than those 27. I almost never use curves at all--no matter how big a draw people think they are. There are better techniques that are more straight-forward and more subtle. My opinion of curves is that most people use them too often, too hard, and too willingly because they don't think they have any other way to accomplish the same thing. My currect workflow uses mostly layers, modes, opacity and image content to enhance inmages. Levels does all the correction I need.

If you have the Hidden Power 4 book, look at the section on using the Gradient maps as curves...it tells how they would need to be applied.

[aragorn]

I do have your book but haven't got that far yet. I am getting it out as I speak and will have a look, and will post back as soon as I have tried the presets out. I do have to say that curves, while fascinating, can do a bit to much for my liking but if you don't try you don't know.