Since the beginning of photography, hand-coloring has been a prevalent practice. In order to give their photos a realistic feel, photographers would collaborate with artists to apply color using paints, pastels, oils, and other mediums. Hand-coloring photographs gradually became less popular as color photography gained popularity in the 1950s. However, antique hand-colored photographs are still highly seen in people’s personal collections today. Nevertheless, with the high demand for faster results and a more prone to naturalism, the traditional ways of coloring images were slowly replaced with digital tinting techniques, which revolutionized the world of image enhancement. Right now, enormous digital tools and techniques are in action to add a tinting imprint to images within just a matter of minutes. This way, a number of images can be enhanced with this endearing approach. Moreover, the batch processing practice further benefits the artist to edit a bunch of photographs at once with consistent results and presenting identical climates in different images for a harmonious impression. This blog will elaborate on the steps to enhance an image’s colors using digital tinting tools.

 

Step 1: Prepare The Base Image

 

 

Begin by initiating your chosen image editing program such as Photoshop, GIMP, or Lightroom.

 

Bring the picture you need to tint by selecting File > Open or utilizing the drag-and-drop strategy.

 

To protect the initial image, copy the layer by right-clicking the layer and choosing Duplicate Layer. It permits you to form changes without modifying the first photo.

 

Guarantee that your image is of high resolution. For instance, it should be 300 DPI for print and around 72 DPI for web. In case it is too low, the tinting can possibly lower the quality of the photo.

 

If required, crop the image or straighten it to enhance composition before you apply the tint.

 

Turn or flip the photograph as necessary, guaranteeing it is positioned accurately before editing.

 

 

Save the file in your software’s native format, like PSD, if using Photoshop. So you’ll effectively return to it for further edits.

 

Step 2: Modify Image Settings

 

 

Begin by adjusting the exposure to guarantee the image is neither too dark nor too bright. Utilize the Exposure slider or Curves tool to adjust any lighting problems.

 

Maximize or minimize the contrast to make more depicted shadows and highlights. It helps make the photograph more energetic and makes it ready for tinting.

 

As required, regulate the brightness of the image to ensure that the colors will pop once the tint is applied. Do not make the image too bright, as this will wash out the tint impact.

 

Correct any color temperature inequalities by adapting the white balance. Put it in either warmer or cooler tones, leaning on the disposition you wish to attain with the tint.

 

 

Expand the sharpness to progress particulars. A sharper picture helps the tint impact blend sufficiently with the photograph.

 

After these alterations, save the picture as a new layer or file to keep the alters non-destructive and systematized.

 

Step 3: Select A Suitable Tinting Tool

 

 

Select the suitable tinting tool according to your editing app. In the case of Photoshop, you might utilize a Gradient Map or Color Overlay; in Lightroom, you will utilize Split Toning or Color Grading.

 

Choose the color you need to apply. Familiar tints incorporate sepia, blue, or green, though you can test with any tone to form the required effect.

 

Alter the intensity or opacity of the tint to manage the strength or subtleness of the effect. A low opacity makes a delicate, light tint, while a high-value results in a more prominent color shift.

 

In case your software sustains layers, try blending modes such as Overlay, Soft Light, or Color to oversee the interactions of the tint with the initial photograph.

 

 

The desired tint ought to accommodate the general temperament or climate you need to stimulate within the photo, like warmth for a nostalgic impression or cool tones for a peaceful feel.

 

Persistently preview the picture while altering the settings to guarantee the color tint upgrades the photo as planned.

 

Step 4: Apply The Selected Tint To The Image

 

 

After you have chosen your tinting strategy, apply the selected color to the image by activating the tint layer or applying the alteration to the whole photograph.

 

Adjust the color balance to confirm that the tint blends naturally with the photo. In case you’re employing a gradient map, alter the midpoint of the gradient to control the range of colors applied.

 

 

Alter the layer’s opacity to maintain the resilience of the tint. A more down opacity consequences in a more subtle impact, while a higher one makes the tint more articulated.

 

In case you need the tint to affect only selective parts of the picture, utilize masks or gradient features to apply it specifically.

 

Persistently see how the image looks with the applied tint to guarantee it conforms to your vision. Set the tint color and intensity if required.

 

After you are pleased with the result, lock the layer to avert accidental changes while altering other aspects of the photograph.

 

Step 5: Use Blending Modes

 

 

Utilize diverse blending modes, like Overlay, Soft Light, or Multiply, to see the interaction of the tint with the fundamental image. Each mode influences the tint impression differently, so test a few to discover the finest effect.

 

Regulate the layer’s opacity on the off chance that the tint emerges too solid. Decreasing opacity permits the initial picture to appear slightly, making a more subtle impact.

 

In case you need to apply the tint more absolutely to certain areas, utilize a mask to hide or reveal the zones of the layer. You can brush over ranges you need to leave untinted or apply a gradient mask for a smoother shift.

 

If the tint looks off or too abrupt, alter the photograph’s color temperature. Warmer tints, including reds or yellows, give a comfy feel, while cooler tints, such as blues or greens, create a pacifying impact.

 

Increment or diminish the saturation to either heighten or soften the color impact. A high saturation will make the tint more distinctive, while a low saturation will create a more modest tone.

 

Persistently preview the picture so that the tint mixes consistently with the initial photo, manipulating opacity, blending modes, and masks as essential for a polished last result.

 

Step 6: Improve The General Sharpness

 

 

Once done with the tint application, improve the general sharpness to get the details to stay fresh. Utilize the Sharpening or Clarity option, particularly in zones with delicate edges, to keep the picture looking clear.

 

Return to the contrast in case the tint has softened the picture. Advance the contrast somewhat to make the colors pop and to bring out better details, guaranteeing they stand out against the tinted foundation.

 

Utilize tools just like the Shadows/Highlights sliders to bring back detail in overexposed or underexposed zones. Tints can occasionally obscure these subtle elements, so altering these settings helps adjust the photograph.

 

On the off chance that the image quality has deteriorated or there is obvious grain, utilize noise-lessening tools to smooth out any undesirable commotion while holding sharpness in key ranges.

 

Utilize Dodge and Burn tools to help or darken particular regions of the image, adding profundity and measurement. This may highlight key highlights or make more contrast in your picture.

 

 

Alter the hue and saturation of particular colors to guarantee the tint goes with the image perfectly without overwhelming any specific color range. This is often vital for accomplishing an adjusted and visually engaging impact.

 

Step 7: Take A Final Look

 

 

Before you save the final piece, take a final look to guarantee all adjustments, including tinting, blending, and upgrades, look consistent and adjusted.

 

If you have utilized different layers, flatten the image to decrease file size and simplify the file structure. It will make it simpler to save and export.

 

Preserve your shot within the suitable file format. For example, for high-quality prints, select TIFF or PNG; for online use, JPEG is a great choice, but be sure to keep the quality setting high to avoid compression issues.

 

If you want to utilize the picture for printing, make sure the resolution is set to 300 DPI; like in web use, 72 DPI is adequate.

 

Always save your final tinted picture under a new title to avoid overwriting the initial photo. It will keep the first file intact for any additional edits.

 

After saving, you can export or share the picture to the specified stage, whether for print, social media, or web usage.

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, tinting implies additional shades in an aesthetically tempting manner by adding a trace of color to an image. Besides, tinting a photograph brings back memories of the days of hand-colored photography, which gave pictures a lifelike appearance and inspired comparisons to paintings. Though today, producing authentic hand-colored photos is costly and time-consuming, using the digital tools and specific strategies as highlighted in the above blog post, you can still reproduce that classic look using your photos for less cost. An image can be made even more remarkable by adding a little extra touch, like tinting.