if the image doesn't use anywhere near the dynamic range offered by the raw capture, I'll adjust the RAW high and low point to put the top and bottom closer to what the image actually requires, so that the raw output doesn't waste a bunch of information potential. This is merely setting black and white points. In effect, you are increasingthe contrast of the RAW file unfurling to make use of the dynamic range available for the next step. However, I don't always do it. I also double check the RGB histogram to makesure I'm not blowing anything out, because if you blow it out before you've even adjusted anything in RGB, then it's gone.


I don't actually do much adjustment of the curves themselves in RAW, as it doesn't give you much control, but rather mostly adjust THE curve.


In the RGB tab, you can make very specific adjustments in how the image comes out of 'black' towards 'white', all colors at a time, or individually, making the adjustments that best address what you want to do.