What are the best ways to use color grading in Adobe Photoshop?

1 Use adjustment layers and masks

One of the best ways to use color grading in Photoshop is to use adjustment layers and masks. Adjustment layers allow you to apply color and tonal changes to your image without affecting the original pixels. You can stack multiple adjustment layers and adjust their opacity, blending mode, and order to create different effects. Masks allow you to control where the adjustment layers affect the image, by painting with black or white. You can use masks to isolate specific areas, such as the sky, the subject, or the background, and apply different color grades to them.

2 Use curves and selective color

Two of the most versatile and powerful adjustment layers for color grading are curves and selective color. Curves allow you to adjust the contrast, brightness, and color balance of your image by manipulating the shape of the curve. You can use curves to create different looks, such as adding contrast, fading the blacks, or creating a cross-processed effect. Selective color allows you to adjust the hue, saturation, and brightness of specific colors in your image. You can use selective color to enhance or change the color of certain elements, such as skin tones, foliage, or water.

3 Use color lookup tables

Another way to use color grading in Photoshop is to use color lookup tables, or LUTs. LUTs are files that contain a set of color values that map the colors of your image to a new color scheme. You can use LUTs to apply a predefined color grade to your image, such as a cinematic, vintage, or stylized look. You can find and download many free or paid LUTs online, or create your own using Photoshop. To use a LUT, you need to add a color lookup adjustment layer and load the LUT file from the properties panel.

4 Use gradient maps

Gradient maps are another type of adjustment layer that can be used for color grading. Gradient maps map the colors of your image to a gradient that you can customize. You can use gradient maps to create duotone, tritone, or multicolor effects, or to add a color tint to your image. You can choose from the preset gradients in Photoshop, or create your own by adding and adjusting color stops. You can also change the blending mode and opacity of the gradient map layer to fine-tune the effect.

6 Use smart objects and non-destructive editing

The final tip for using color grading in Photoshop is to use smart objects and non-destructive editing. Smart objects are layers that preserve the original data of your image, and allow you to apply filters and adjustments without losing quality or flexibility. You can convert any layer to a smart object by right-clicking and choosing convert to smart object. Non-destructive editing is the practice of making changes to your image without affecting the original pixels, by using adjustment layers, masks, and smart filters. This way, you can always go back and modify or delete any adjustment without ruining your image.

7 Here’s what else to consider

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