Photoshop Tutorials

Between grayscale and color is split toning. Add this slight change for a dramatic effect. This Photoshop technique can also be used to create retro or abstract results.

Preview of Final Results

Split Toning Photoshop Tutorial

Step 1: Run Photoshop and open a photo

Start Photoshop and open any photo. This photo effect will work with most versions of Photoshop.

Step 2: Add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer

Choose Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation. When the Hue/Saturation window appears, click OK without changing any settings. You should now have a new Hue/Saturation layer in your layers palette.

Step 3: Duplicate the layer and rename

Make sure that you have the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer selected in the layers palette. Press Ctrl+J or go to Layer > Duplicate Layer. You should now have two adjustment layers. Rename the top layer to Highlights and the middle layer to Shadows. To rename a layer, double-click on the layer name in the layers palette.

With the two adjustment layers, one will let us change the color of the shadows and the other the highlights. In the next step, we'll add data to the layer mask so that the highlights layer only affects the highlights.

Step 4: Apply a copy of the image into the highlights layer mask

Before we start, click on the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers palette to select it. It should now have a white border around it to indicate that the layer mask is selected. With the layer mask selected, choose Image> Apply Image. In the Apply Image tool, simply click OK to use the default settings. You should now see a copy of the image in the highlights layer mask.