How can I create a warm brown-toned look in Lightroom?
Asked 7/12/2018
6 views
2 answers
0
I’m trying to get a warm, brownish edit with muted greens while keeping skin tones looking natural. I mainly use Lightroom and haven’t been able to match the look I want. Would this be done mostly in post-processing, or can camera settings like white balance or metering help? Any Lightroom techniques for achieving this kind of warm, subdued color grade would be appreciated.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
2
There are many ways to do this. In Lightroom, you can use the "Split Toning" tool.
There are color selection boxes next to the word "Highlights" and "Shadows". Pick these and you can select a color cast (I picked a sand tone) and this will give the image a decidedly "brown" cast.
You can also desaturate (up in the basic adjustments). I found that desaturating to around -15 to -20 units created a pleasantly subdued look.
I find the look I used in this example to be a bit heavy-handed on the brown tone (my preference is to be a bit more subtle) but the example makes it easy to see what I'm doing here.
You can experiment with the hue selection and saturation level in split-toning (as well as overall desaturation) to achieve the look you want.
Another alternative is to try Lightroom profile presets. In the "Basic" adjustment pane you'll find the "Profile" selection (it typically defaults to "Adobe Standard"). There's an icon that has a grid of 4 rectangles ... click the icon and it will open the profile presets. You can try those to see if you find a look that fits your needs.
Originally by user82237. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user82237
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This look is mostly created in post, not by metering. Spot metering won’t create the color style; it only affects exposure.
In Lightroom, a common approach is:
- Use Split Toning/Color Grading to add a warm brown or sand tone, especially to the highlights, while keeping shadows neutral or slightly cool.
- Slightly reduce overall saturation for a subdued look.
- Adjust specific colors with the color tools/HSL, especially lowering or shifting greens so foliage looks less vivid.
- Fine-tune white balance toward warmer tones if needed.
If the effect is too strong, back off the saturation of the added tone for a subtler result.
You can also do a global warm look in-camera with a warming filter such as an 81A or KR3, but that affects the whole image. For more selective warmth in-camera, use warm-toned reflected light, such as a gold reflector.
So: start with good exposure and neutral skin tones, then build the look in Lightroom using color grading, selective color adjustment, and modest desaturation.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI8y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can I create creamy, natural-looking skin tones in Lightroom?
How can I recreate this portrait look: strong facial detail, muted cyan tones, and low-contrast light?
Can Photoshop make skin look metallic bronze, or is it mostly lighting and makeup?
How can I create a moody portrait look with muted colors and brownish skin tones?
How can I create a soft, low-contrast interior look similar to exposure fusion images?