The topic for this weeks episode comes from the multiple reader requests that I received last week, after posting the “How I Shot It” -video about my latest photograph “Memento”. You guys expressed your interest in learning more about the post-processing and colour grading that I did to the image, so I decided that today we’d take an in-depth look at colour grading with the curves adjustment panel:
So here’s a quick written recap of the steps that I went through when working on the colours for “Memento”:
1) Increased the contrast a tiny bit
2) Added some blue tones into the shadows and yellow into the mid-tones/highlights
3) Added some green into the shadows and mid-tones
4) Added a slight tint of cyan (the opposite colour of red) into the shadows and added some red into the mid-tones
5) Opened up the Hue/Saturation -panel and desaturated the yellow tones
Final Image
As always, if you have any questions concerning the video and this article or suggestions for future episodes, just shoot me an email (lauri@slrlounge.com) or leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to answer all of your questions. :)
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Great tutorial.
Thank u sir..ur tutorial gives me more idea about curves…
Hi Lauri.
A thumbs up from France. I would like your take on making colour grading style decisions based on the content of the photo. Staying simple, what are the basic style choices YOU make when looking at a photo for the first time? While studio shots are relatively well though-out in terms of style in advance, my problem is that impromptu photos are much harder to style. Shorter still (sorry!), I want to know more about the step lying after your out-of-camera raw and before your curves tool :D
Good work….
Good work lauri…
LAuri Can U plz tell Me How To cnhance phto
Thank you so much for the tuts.
hey man, hope you could share some tips on acheiving the effect on this site http://jameschororos.com/ in photoshop, the noise is like creating a monotone layer yet contrast and sharpness still good, the composition has a big part of it of course, shadows are up, and the pinkish midtones of portraits, tried playing with curves but somehow there is something missing
First come the talent of the photographer, the photoshop make the photo more complete. I will recommend this blog to others. very good for fashion / model photographers.
Excellent tutorial Lauri well done and easy to understand.
This is by far the best explanation of curves I have seen! Thanks
You’re most welcome Lisa! I’m glad to have helped you out! :)
– Lauri
Love Tuesdays with Lauri! Can’t wait till next week.
Excellent tutorial on Curves. Thank you so much, Lauri for taking the time to do this video and share your knowledge with us. You are a fantastic teacher! I wish Curves worked that way in Elements, because I do not own full Photoshop…yet!
Thank you! :D
– Lauri
i thought it was a very helpful presentation and i am grateful.
vince
I’m glad to hear that Vince! Thanks! :D
– Lauri
Hi, thank you for these tutorials and your good work.
I recently discovered technique which uses gradient map – both for increasing contrast and some interesting split toning.
I would like to hear your opinion when you use gradient map and when curves, or do you prefer just one of these or do you usualy combine them?
Thank you.
Hi Petr!
There are probably a hundred different ways to add contrast and colour into an image, and I think the most important part is figuring out which way works best for you, and then just using it. I personally work mostly with curves and the hue/saturation panel, as I find that those are the ones that give me the best results. I really haven’t done a lot with gradient maps, but I’m sure there are times you could use them as well. :)
– Lauri
Thank you for the best explanation of how Curves works that this newbie has seen yet. Much appreciated.
You are most welcome! I’m glad you liked it! :)
– Lauri
Awesome love it!
Thanks Angelo! :)
– Lauri
Nice tip! Thank you a lot!
You’re welcome! :D
– Lauri
Very useful tutorial Lauri! Thanks!
I’m glad to hear that Thomas. Thank you! :)
– Lauri
Thanks for this tip Lauri… much appreciated
You are most welcome Achandira!