Gradients are normally thought of as a
feature for graphic designers. After all,
why would photographers need a tool
that creates a straightforward blend
from one colour to another? Used in
combination with Gradient Maps,
however, gradients can become
a powerful tool for toning and tinting
your photos.
A gradient map works by mapping
colours onto the tonal range of your
image, from shadow tones on the left of
the gradient to highlight tones on the
right. So you can tint the shadows with
one colour, and the highlights with
another. This means you can use
gradient maps to create all kinds of
interesting tonal effects, from vintage
washes to stylish colour shifts.
If you’ve used other toning tools like
the Split Toning controls in Camera Raw
or Lightroom, you’ll be familiar with the
concept of tinting the shadows and the
highlights with different colours. But
Gradient Maps allows you to take this
idea much further. You don’t just get to
choose from two colours: you can have
as many as you like. There are plenty of
options, too, from the array of gradient
presets to the powerful Gradient Editor,
which lets you create your own.Tint to perfection
with Gradient Maps
Learnhowtousethispowerfultonaltoolfor all
kinds of colour shifts and tinting tweaks.
H E LP STATION
Digital Darkroom MasterclassA gradient map works by mapping
colours onto the tonal range of
your image.
Gradient Maps
in LUTs
Like other adjustment layers,
Gradient Maps can be exported
as Color Lookup Tables by going
to File > Export > Color Lookup
Table. The resulting LUT file can
then be incorporated into a
Profile in Camera Raw, for quick
use on other images. Open
Camera Raw, go to the Preset
panel and Alt-click the New
Preset icon at the bottom to
make a new Profile. Check Look
Table and load in your LUT file.
Name and save the profile, and
it’ll appear in the Profile Browser.
Now you can quickly recreate the
effect on any image, and use the
Strength slider to control it.INSET:Before
BELOW: After