How can I create a blue split-toned look like this photo?
Asked 12/10/2012
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I’d like to recreate the cool blue/cyan toning effect seen in a sample image, where the midtones are tinted blue while the blacks and whites still hold detail. What editing technique is typically used for this, and how can I do it in software like Photoshop or Lightroom?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
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This look is typically created with split toning (or color grading), often starting from a strong black-and-white conversion and then adding blue/cyan into selected tonal ranges.
A common approach in Photoshop is:
- Convert the image to a fairly contrasty monochrome so the whites and blacks remain clean.
- Add a solid color fill layer using a light blue/cyan.
- Set that layer’s blend mode to Color.
- In Blending Options, use the Underlying Layer sliders to limit the tint mostly to the midtones, keeping deep blacks and bright whites less affected.
- Fine-tune with Color Balance, Curves, or Brightness/Contrast as needed.
Another method is to use split toning/color grading directly in Lightroom, Photoshop, or similar apps, pushing cooler blue/cyan tones into shadows and/or midtones and adjusting intensity to taste.
The key is experimentation: exact settings depend on the photo, but the overall recipe is monochrome base + blue/cyan toning + tonal masking so the effect sits mainly in the midtones.
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