Portrait Color Grading Adobe Photoshop 2024

Portrait Color Grading Adobe Photoshop 2024,

Color grading a portrait in Photoshop to achieve a cinematic look involves a series of adjustments that enhance the mood, tone, and overall aesthetics of the image. Therefore, Here’s a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

Portrait Color Grading Adobe Photoshop 2024,

Step-by-Step Guide for Cinematic Color Grading in Photoshop

In other words, Open Your Image in Photoshop:

Start by opening your portrait in Photoshop.

However, Create Adjustment Layers:

Adjustment layers are non-destructive and allow you to make changes without permanently altering your original image.

Portrait Color Grading Adobe Photoshop 2024, Adjust the Exposure and Contrast,

• Brightness/Contrast: For instance, Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast. Increase the contrast slightly to add depth.
• Levels or Curves: Above all, Use Levels or Curves for more refined control. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels or Curves. Adjust the sliders to enhance the contrast. Lift the black point slightly to give a faded look and bring down the white point to soften highlights.

Color Grading with Color Balance:

• Color Balance: In addition, Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance. Adjust the shadows, mid-tones, and highlights to add a cinematic color tone. Commonly, you can add a bit of teal to the shadows and orange to the midtones and highlights.

Apply Selective Color Adjustments:

• Selective Color: After that, Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Selective Color. Adjust specific colors to fine-tune the overall color palette. For instance, you can desaturate greens and magentas while enhancing reds and blues.

Use the Gradient Map for Creative Toning:

• Gradient Map: Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map. Select a gradient that complements the cinematic look, such as teal-orange. Adjust the opacity and blend mode (try Soft Light or Overlay) to blend the effect subtly with the image.

Add Vignette:

• Vignette Effect: Similarly, Create a new layer and fill it with black. Use them Elliptical Marquee Tool to create an oval selection around the subject. Feather the selection (Shift+F6) to soften the edges, then delete the selection area to create a vignette effect. Lower the opacity of this layer to blend it with the image.

Sharpening and Noise Reduction:

• Smart Sharpen: Therefore, Go to Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen. Adjust the amount and radius to enhance details without making the image look too harsh.
• Noise Reduction: Go to Filter > Noise > Reduce Noise to smooth out any unwanted grain while retaining some texture for a film-like quality.

Fine-tuning with Additional Adjustments:

• Hue/Saturation: Use Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation to fine-tune the overall color intensity.
• Photo Filter: Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Photo Filter. Apply a warming or cooling filter to subtly adjust the color temperature.

Example Workflow Summary:

1. Brightness/Contrast: Increase contrast slightly.
2. Levels/Curves: Fine-tune the black and white points.
3. Color Balance: Add teal to shadows, orange to mid-tones, and highlights.
4. Selective Color: Desaturate greens/magentas, enhance reds/blues.
5. Gradient Map: Apply a teal-orange gradient, blend with Soft Light.
6. Vignette: Create and blend a vignette effect.
7. Smart Sharpen: Sharpen details.
8. Noise Reduction: Smooth out unwanted grain.
9. Hue/Saturation: Adjust color intensity.
10. Photo Filter: Apply a warming/cooling filter.