Cinematic Color Grading Method Adobe Photoshop 2025,
Cinematic Color Grading Method Adobe Photoshop 2025,
Therefore, A popular method for cinematic color grading in Photoshop often involves using the Camera Raw Filter or Adjustment Layers like Selective Color or Color Lookup. The goal is typically to achieve a complementary color scheme, such as the famous “Teal and Orange” look.
🎨 Key Cinematic Grading Techniques in Photoshop:
Therefore, here are a few common techniques and tools to achieve a cinematic look:
1. The Camera Raw Filter (or Lightroom Panel)
Therefore, this is one of the most efficient tools as it combines many color and tone controls in one place:
- Color Grading Panel: This is the most direct way to achieve a split-tone look (like Teal and Orange).
- Shadows: In other words, drag the color wheel point away from the center toward the Blue/Teal area to tint the dark tones. Adjust the Luminance slider to control brightness.
- Highlights/Midtones: Drag the color wheel point toward the Orange/Yellow area to tint the brightest parts of the image, which often include skin tones. Adjust the Luminance slider here as well.
- Basic Panel: In other words, adjust Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, and Clarity to create a more dramatic feel, which is characteristic of a cinematic style.
Cinematic Color Grading Method Adobe Photoshop 2025,
2. Selective Color Adjustment Layer:
Therefore, this layer allows you to target specific color ranges (like Reds, Yellows, or Neutrals) and adjust their component colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black).
- Teal/Orange Look:
- In other words, Target Neutrals and add Cyan (negative Red) and reduce Yellow (negative Blue) to introduce a cooler tint to the overall image.
- However, Target Reds and Yellows (where skin tones usually fall) to made warmer by reducing Cyan and increasing Yellow.
3. Color Lookup Adjustment Layer (LUTs)
In other words, using Color Lookup Tables (LUTs) is the fastest way to apply a complex, pre-made color grade.
- In other words, add a Color Lookup adjustment layer.
- However, in the 3DLUT File dropdown, you can select various film emulation or cinematic presets (like those found under “Film Stocks” or “Technicolor”).
- In other words, you can also load custom LUT files (.cube or .3dl) downloaded from various resources.
Cinematic Color Grading Method Adobe Photoshop 2025,
4. Curves Adjustment Layer:
However, while not just for color grading, a Curves layer is essential for refining contrast and color balance:
- Contrast: Plot a gentle “S” curve on the main RGB channel to boost contrast (darker shadows, brighter highlights).
- Color Shifts: Switch to the Red, Green, and Blue channels individually. You can use these to introduce subtle color casts into the shadows and highlights for a custom cinematic look.