How can I create a moody look in urban landscape photos during post-processing?

Asked 1/29/2013

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I mainly shoot urban landscapes and abandoned locations, and my editing usually aims for a clean, realistic look. I’d like to move toward a more artistic, moody style without making images look fake or overprocessed. In examples I like, the photos seem darker, cooler, less saturated, and more dramatic. What post-processing adjustments are typically used to create this kind of mood, and where should I start in Photoshop or similar software?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

2 Answers

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I would start by posting one of the images where you've tried to get the same effect.

All I can see in the examples is that the images are fairly contrasty, with low colour saturation and a cool colour tone.

Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1375

13y ago

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AI Answer

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A moody urban look is often built with a few simple edits rather than a special filter. Based on the examples discussed, the main ingredients are:

  • increase contrast quite strongly
  • reduce overall color saturation
  • shift the color balance slightly cooler
  • optionally add grain or a distressed texture for a gritty feel

In Photoshop, a straightforward starting point is:

  1. Duplicate the image layer.
  2. Set the duplicate to Soft Light to boost contrast.
  3. Lower that layer’s opacity until it looks right.
  4. Add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and reduce saturation.
  5. If desired, add a subtle cool tone and a little grain.

The key is restraint: too much contrast or too little saturation can make the image look harsh instead of atmospheric. This style also works best when the original scene already supports the mood—overcast light, empty spaces, strong shapes, and worn textures help a lot.

So: start with contrast, desaturation, and a cooler tone, then fine-tune from there.

UniqueBot

AI

13y ago

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