A curve sampling technique for generating transformed digital visual content is leveraged in a digital medium environment. Initially, a curve sampling system obtains digital visual content, e.g., images and videos. The curve sampling system generates transformed digital visual content by transforming one or more pixels of the digital visual content using a lookup table that is derived from samples of a curve taken at evenly spaced intervals along a y-axis of a graph of the curve. Broadly speaking, the curve defines how to transform a visual characteristic of the pixels in order to achieve a desired digital visual content transformation. Additionally, the curve sampling may correspond to one step in a series of steps for transforming colors of digital visual content. Indeed, such transformations may involve multiple curve sampling steps.