Professional Cinematic: Color Grading in Photoshop Camera Raw

Professional Cinematic: Color Grading in Photoshop Camera Raw,

Achieving a professional cinematic look using the Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) Filter in Photoshop is a powerful and efficient way to apply a distinctive film-like grade. The key is to leverage ACR’s controls for contrast, tone, and the highly effective Color Grading panel.

Here is a step-by-step professional workflow focused on using the Camera Raw Filter:

Professional Cinematic: Color Grading in Photoshop Camera Raw,

I. Preparation in Photoshop (The Smart Object Step)

1. Open in Photoshop: Open your original image (preferably a RAW file) in Adobe Photoshop.
2. Convert to Smart Object: Right-click on your image layer (usually the Background layer) and select Convert to Smart Object.
   • Why? Applying the Camera Raw Filter to a Smart Object makes the filter non-destructive and fully re-editable at any time.
3. Apply the Filter: Go to Filter > Camera Raw Filter… (or press Ctrl+Shift+A / Cmd+Shift+A).

II. The Cinematic Workflow in Camera Raw:

1. Establishing Cinematic Contrast (Basic Panel)

Cinematic images often feature slightly raised blacks, crushed shadows, and a distinct tonal curve.

• Adjust Exposure and Contrast: Use the basic sliders to get the overall brightness correct.
• Create a “Matte” Look (Optional): To mimic the slight fading of film, slightly raise the Blacks slider and/or the bottom-left point in the Curves panel.
• Shadow and Highlight Detail: Use the Highlights and Shadows sliders to recover or subdue detail. A moody cinematic look often has deeper, less-recovered shadows.
• Add Contrast/Grit: Increase Clarity (mid-tone contrast) subtly for a grittier look. Increase Dehaze to darken the image and add richness.

Professional Cinematic: Color Grading in Photoshop Camera Raw,

2. The Signature Color Grade (Color Grading Panel)

This is the most critical step for the cinematic look—the famous “Teal and Orange” or similar color splits.

1. Navigate to the Color Grading Panel: Select the Color Grading icon (it looks like three connected color wheels).
2. Adjust Shadows:
   • Click the Shadows color wheel.
   • Drag the marker to a Cool color (typically Blue or Teal/Cyan).
   • Increase the Saturation slightly until the shadows take on the desired color cast.
   • Adjust the Luminance slider to fine-tune the brightness of the shadows (darker for a more moody).
3. Adjust Highlights:
   • Click the Highlights color wheel.
   • Drag the marker to a Warm color (typically Yellow or Orange/Red).
   • Increase the Saturation slightly to make the highlights pop.
   • Adjust the Luminance slider to control the overall brightness of the highlights.
4. Balance (Global): Use the Balance slider at the top of the panel to control the blending point between your cool shadows and warm highlights.

Professional Cinematic: Color Grading in Photoshop Camera Raw,

3. Refining Colors (Mixer Panel)

Use the Color Mixer panel (the circles with primary colors) for selective color control.

• Target Skin Tones (Oranges/Reds): If the Teal/Orange split has made skin tones too green or too red, select the Orange color and slightly adjust its Hue (e.g., towards red for a healthier look) and increase its Luminance to brighten the skin.
• Enhance Scenery (Greens/Blues):
  • Select Greens to adjust the hue and saturation of foliage (e.g., desaturate slightly for a moody look, or shift the hue toward yellow).
  • Select Blues to deepen the color of skies or water (often lowering the Luminance makes them more dramatic).

Camera Raw Presets Free Download,

4. Adding Film Texture and Vignette (Effects Panel)

To complete the film emulation:

• Add Grain: Go to the Effects panel and adjust the Grain sliders:
  • Amount: Controls the intensity.
  • Size: Controls the size of the grain particles (smaller for digital grain, larger for film grain).
  • Roughness: Controls the randomness of the grain.
  • Tip: Zoom in to 100% or 200% to accurately gauge the grain effect.
• Add a Vignette: Adjust the Vignetting sliders to subtly darken the edges of the frame, drawing the viewer’s eye toward the center.

Professional Cinematic: Color Grading in Photoshop Camera Raw,

III. Finalizing the Edit:

1. Click OK: Once satisfied, click OK in the Camera Raw Filter window.
2. Further Retouching (in Photoshop): If necessary, you can now use Photoshop’s tools (like adjustment layers with masks) to do final, highly localized work that ACR cannot handle, but the bulk of your cinematic look is complete!