Photoshop Fundamentals: Simple Color Grading Techniques for Beginners (VIDEO)

We sometimes hear from Shutterbug readers, requesting that we submit image-editing tutorials for these simply getting began. If you happen to’re new to post-processing, the fast Photoshop tutorial beneath is simply what you want.

Reaching correct, realistic coloration is among the key duties, whether or not you are a novice or a Photoshop wizard. Image-retouching expert Nino Batista is the proper teacher for this seven-minute primer on coloration grading suggestions and tips, and after watching this seven-minute primer you will not be a newbie. Then, extra superior strategies will likely be nicely inside your attain.

Batista begins with {a partially} edited picture of an exquisite, bikini-clad mannequin photographed outside. He is already made just a few primary changes, cleaned up some distractions, and did a little bit of pores and skin cleanup. The picture already seems to be fairly good, however what till you see the ultimate consequence after Batista goes by way of a really primary coloration grading workflow.

As Batista explains, considerate coloration concord is the place you’ll be able to specific creativity by introducing a coloration palette to offer the picture extra influence and a novel eye-catching look. His course of begins by “busting out” a Selective Color adjustment layer and demonstrating how the straightforward sliders work.

Batista explains it like this: “When you concentrate on your highlights, mid-tones, and shadows enjoying on one another with a selected palette, it will possibly actually marry your picture collectively even when the enhancements are delicate.” He offers a fast instance of how his picture is remodeled, just by including a bit of heat.

As you will see, this works higher than bumping up saturation, as a result of “you are simply not boosting the prevailing coloration, however relatively introducing a wash of colours.” Subsequent, he addresses the shadows to additional enhance the picture, all of the whereas being cautious to retain a sensible look. As you will see, the improved oranges and greens work very well collectively.

It is necessary to pay shut consideration to how changes to at least one portion of the picture have an effect on different areas inside the scene, in order that your efforts end in an general harmonious set of tones. The enjoyable half is that it is easy to experiment with the varied sliders to find results that you simply hadn’t even thought of.

Batista completes the transformation with easy changes to highlights within the picture, the place just a few fascinating issues occur that you could be not anticipate. Backside line: Once you begin interested by coloration deliberately, nice issues can occur.

Yow will discover extra modifying suggestions and tips for photographers of all ability ranges on Batista’s popular YouTube channel. So make sure you go to the location usually.

If you happen to’re fascinated by one other primary Photoshop primer, we recommend watching a tutorial we posted earlier that explains tips on how to use Layer Mixing modes for extra compelling pictures.