USE ESSENTIAL EDITING TOOLS
A round-up of the main software features for colour management
TEMPERATURE/TINT
IN ADOBE LIGHTROOM AND CAMERA RAW (ACR) THESE SLIDERS CAN BE USED TO ADJUST THE OVERALL BALANCE OF YELLOWS/BLUES AND CYANS/MAGENTAS IN THE IMAGE. HELPFULLY, THESE CAN BE APPLIED USING THE ADJUSTMENT BRUSH OR THE GRADIENT TOOL, FOR LOCALISED CHANGES.
CURVES
THE CURVES CONTROL IS VERY POWERFUL FOR TONAL ADJUSTMENTS. NOT ONLY CAN YOU ALTER THE
GLOBAL CONTRAST, BUT IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO ALTER THE COLOUR BALANCE IN EACH OF THE SHADOWS, MIDTONES AND HIGHLIGHTS, BY APPLYING A CURVE TO AN INDIVIDUAL COLOUR CHANNEL.
COLOUR BALANCE
If using a curve to make tone-based colour changes is a bit overwhelming, the colour balance dialogue in photoshop is a slider-based alternative. This a great choice for applying precise split-toning effects and minute colour bias adjustments. Always Apply Photoshop Adjustments Such As This On A Nondestructive Adjustment Layer.
COLOUR LUTS
Colour lookup tables (luts) are a somewhat hidden feature of photoshop. Accessed via the adjustment layer dropdown, these are preset colour values for advanced image colour grading. They are useful for advanced colour styling rather than basic adjustment, and can produce eye-catching themes quickly.