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How to do color grading in Lightroom?

By: Author Color With Leo

Color grading is an important part of the post-processing workflow for photographers. It involves adjusting the colors and tones in your photos to create a specific mood or style. Lightroom offers powerful color grading tools that allow you to transform the look of your images.

Understanding Color Grading Basics

Before diving into the specifics of color grading in Lightroom, it’s helpful to understand some key color grading concepts:

  • White balance – This determines the temperature of the white in your scene, which affects the overall color cast.
  • Tone – This refers to the brightness levels in your image, from shadows to highlights.
  • Mood – Cool tones can create a calm or icy mood, while warm tones feel cozy or nostalgic.
  • Style – High contrast and saturated colors lend a bold, punchy style. Softer contrast and muted colors create a vintage feel.

With these basic principles in mind, let’s look at how to use Lightroom for color grading.

Global Adjustments in Lightroom

Lightroom’s global color grading adjustments affect the entire image. They are a great starting point before making more targeted local adjustments.

White Balance

White balance sets the overall color cast of the image. Most cameras set white balance automatically, but you may need to adjust it in post-processing. Here’s how to adjust white balance in Lightroom:

  1. Go to the Basic panel.
  2. Click on the White Balance selector.
  3. Choose one of Lightroom’s white balance presets, like Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, etc.
  4. Use the Temp and Tint sliders to fine-tune the white balance. Temp adjusts warm/cool tones. Tint adjusts green/magenta tones.
  5. You can also use the eyedropper tool to click on an area that should be neutral white or gray.

Tone Curve

The Tone Curve panel lets you adjust the tonal range of the image. You can darken shadows, boost highlights, increase contrast, and create an S-curve.

To adjust the tone curve:

  1. Go to the Tone Curve panel.
  2. Drag points on the curve up or down to manipulate the shadows, midtones, and highlights.
  3. Use the Region buttons to limit adjustments to shadows, midtones, or highlights.
  4. Switch to Point mode to add multiple control points along the curve.

HSL Panel

The HSL (hue, saturation, luminance) panel is used to adjust all image colors globally. Key options:

  • Hue – Changes the hue or color cast of a range.
  • Saturation – Adjusts the intensity of colors.
  • Luminance – Brightens or darkens a color range.
  • Color Mixer – Fine tune the balance between color channels.

Try boosting blues for a cool tone or increasing yellow luminance to brighten an image.

Split Toning

Split toning allows you to add a color tint to the shadows and highlights. Common uses:

  • Warm yellow/orange highlights and cool blue shadows for a vibrant summer look.
  • Sepia highlights and dark blue shadows for a moody vintage effect.

To use split toning:

  1. Go to the Split Toning panel.
  2. Click the Highlights color picker and choose a hue.
  3. Adjust the Saturation slider to control intensity.
  4. Repeat for the Shadows color.

Local Adjustments

While global adjustments impact the entire photo, local adjustments apply edits to specific areas. Local adjustments are key for color grading. Ways to make local adjustments in Lightroom:

  • Graduated filter – Applies edits in a gradient pattern.
  • Radial filter – Applies edits in a circular pattern.
  • Adjustment brush – Paints on targeted adjustments.

Using Graduated Filters

Graduated filters allow you to edit just a portion of the image. They are perfect for enhancing skies without affecting the foreground:

  1. Select the Graduated Filter tool (keyboard shortcut M).
  2. Click and drag on the image to position the line where you want the gradient to begin.
  3. Use the sliders to adjust exposure, contrast, saturation, clarity, white balance, etc.
  4. Set Feather to control the softness of the gradient transition.

Using the Radial Filter

The radial filter works just like the graduated filter, but with a round shape instead of a line. It’s great for drawing attention to subjects:

  1. Select the Radial Filter.
  2. Click and drag on the image to position the circle.
  3. Adjust the size and feather of the radial gradient.
  4. Use the edit sliders to brighten, saturate, sharpen, etc. the subject.

Painting with the Adjustment Brush

The Adjustment Brush allows you to paint on targeted color and tone changes. To use it:

  1. Select the Adjustment Brush (keyboard shortcut K).
  2. Set the brush size, hardness, and feather.
  3. Choose an effect like exposure, clarity, saturation, etc.
  4. Paint over the area you want to edit. Repeat with different effects.
  5. Use Erase to remove brush strokes and Auto Mask to avoid painting over hard edges.

Some creative ways to use the Adjustment Brush for color grading:

  • Boost green saturation in foliage.
  • Add warmth to skin tones.
  • Increase vibrance selectively on colorful objects.
  • Darken distractions in the background.
  • Lighten shadows on subjects.

Using Presets for Color Grading

Lightroom offers presets that provide instant color grading looks. Try starting with a preset, then tweaking it to your needs. Ways to use presets:

  • Browse Lightroom’s built-in presets under Lightroom Presets.
  • Download creative presets from third-party sites.
  • Save your own presets for consistent color grading.
  • Apply a preset, then adjust it with the sliders.
  • Mix and match different presets (sky from one, subject from another, etc.).

When working with presets, it helps to:

  • Pick presets that match your creative vision.
  • Pay attention to how each preset affects tone, color, contrast, mood.
  • Avoid overdoing it. Subtle presets enhance images best.

Matching Colors Between Photos

When color grading a series of images meant to be viewed together (like a portfolio or photo book), it looks best to match the overall coloring between photos. Here are some tips for color matching:

  • Use the same basic preset on all images to start.
  • Adjust white balance so whites are consistent.
  • Aim for similar contrast and saturation levels.
  • Make targeted adjustments to match backgrounds.
  • Spot correct any photos that stand out.

Take your time when matching. Zoom in and scrutinize details. The devil is in the subtleties with color work. Mimicking lighting color, white balance, and exact hues goes a long way in tying images together cohesively.

Creative Color Grading Ideas

Color grading might seem technical at first, but don’t be afraid to get creative with it! Here are some artistic color grading approaches to try in Lightroom:

  • Cross processing – Mimic the retro look of processing film in the wrong chemicals.
  • Duotone – Convert to black and white, then add a color tint.
  • Gritty – Add grain and lower clarity for a grungy look.
  • High key – Blow out highlights for an airy, minimalist style.
  • Matte – Desaturate colors and add vignette for a moody feel.
  • Orton effect – Soften focus in edges to give a dreamy glow.

Don’t be afraid to push sliders to extremes. Move white balance way cooler or warmer. Max out luminance or desaturate colors completely. Have fun and see what interesting effects you can create!

Conclusion

That covers the basics of how to approach color grading in Lightroom. Here are a few key takeaways:

  • Master global adjustments like white balance and HSL first.
  • Use local adjustments like gradients and brushing to target edits.
  • Try presets, but fine-tune them to suit your photos.
  • Think in terms of mood, contrast, and style.
  • Take time when matching colors between photos.
  • Let your creativity run wild!

Color grading is part science, part art. Don’t be dismayed if your images don’t look right at first – it takes practice. But the reward is photos with polished, professional coloring. Keep at it, and have fun unleashing your inner artist with Lightroom.