Beautiful Color Grade In Photoshop – “Homecoming” Poster – Copycat #6
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- 0:00 Intro
- 1:54 Apply a Green Color Grade to the background using a Gradient Map
- 4:24 Use a Levels adjustment to control gradient over the background
- 4:45 Create a Highlight
- 5:07 Blur the Background
- 5:50 Group the Background Layers
- 6:12 Mask the Model Layer
- 7:19 Fine-tune the Mask with the Select and Mask Workspace
- 7:50 Remove the fringing (white outline) with the Minimum Filter
- 8:45 Fine-Tune the hair selection
- 11:58 Move the model layer into the background document
- 12:35 Apply a brown color grade to the model layer with a Gradient Map
- 14:08 Hide the color grade effect with a Layer Mask
- 14:28 Use a Levels adjustment to control gradient over the model
- 15:50 Adjust the image as a whole with the Camera Raw filter.
Your choices stick across every tutorial on this device.
Color grade in Photoshop by using Gradient Map adjustment layers to push a background and a subject toward the brown-and-green look of a movie poster.
In today’s Copycat Wednesday, you learn how to recreate Homecoming’s beautiful color grade in Photoshop from its own poster!
This copycat tutorial breaks down the brown-and-green poster look from Homecoming, using two Gradient Map adjustment layers, one for the background and one for the subject.
It is built for anyone who already knows the Layers panel and wants to practice color grading, masking, and blending two photos into one scene.
The video was recorded in Photoshop 2020 (version 21.x).
Every tool it uses, Gradient Map, Select and Mask, and the Camera Raw Filter, still works the same way in the current version.
Key Takeaways
- A Gradient Map colors an image based on luminance, not selection, so the color stop at 0% controls the shadows and the color stop at 100% controls the highlights.
- Grading the background and the subject with two separate Gradient Map layers lets you push each part of the image toward a different color.
- Clipping a Gradient Map to the layer below it, with the Clipping Mask icon, keeps the color effect from spreading to every layer in the group.
- The Minimum filter contracts a layer mask by a set number of pixels, which is the fastest fix for a light-colored fringe left around a cutout.
- Duplicating the channel with the most contrast, then inverting and adjusting its Levels, builds a cleaner hair selection than the Select and Mask workspace alone.
- A Levels adjustment layer does not change which pixels a Gradient Map affects. It only changes how much contrast the gradient is mapped across.
Table of contents
- What You Will Learn
- Requirements
- Color Grade in Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts
- Tutorial Images
- Apply a Green Color Grade to the Background Using a Gradient Map
- Use a Levels Adjustment to Control Gradient Over the Background
- Create a Highlight
- Blur the Background
- Group the Background Layers
- Mask the Model Layer
- Fine-tune the Mask with the Select and Mask Workspace
- Remove the Fringing with the Minimum Filter
- Fine-Tune the Hair Selection
- Create a Group
- Move the Model Layer Into the Background Document
- Apply a brown color grade to the model layer with a Gradient Map
- Hide the Color Grade Effect with a Layer Mask
- Use a Levels Adjustment to Control Gradient Over the Model
- Adjust the Image as a Whole with the Camera Raw Filter
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- Related Links
What You Will Learn
- How to grade an image’s shadows and highlights with a Gradient Map adjustment layer.
- How to cut out a subject with Remove Background, then refine the edge in Select and Mask.
- How to rebuild a clean hair selection using the Channels panel.
- How to clip a second Gradient Map to a subject layer without affecting the background.
- How to finish a composite with the Camera Raw Filter.
Requirements
Before you start
- Photoshop 2020 (version 21.x) or the current version
Color Grade in Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Group selected layers | Ctrl G | Command G |
| Invert channel colors | Ctrl I | Command I |
| Load a channel as a selection (click its thumbnail) | Ctrl | Command |
| Refine Edge Brush tool | R | R |
| Save Camera Raw or Smart Object changes | Ctrl S | Command S |
| Toggle a layer mask on or off (click its thumbnail) | Shift | Shift |
Tutorial Images
Apply a Green Color Grade to the Background Using a Gradient Map
Starting with the Background layer, turn it into green by clicking the New Adjustment Layer icon > Gradient Map.
The Gradient Map allows you to apply colors onto your image based on its luminance value.
The Gradient Map also drives a related technique, the duotone double exposure effect, if you want to explore it further.
Click on the bar to bring out the Gradient Editor window where you can change the Color Stops.
First, click on the Color stop at the 0% Location.
Then, double-click on the Color swatch to bring out the Color Picker window and select a dark green color for the shadows. Then, press OK to apply.
Next, click on the Color stop at the 100% location.
Then, double-click on the Color swatch to bring out the Color Picker window and select a muted green color for the shadows. Then, press OK to apply.
Tip: Add more Color stops by clicking anywhere on the Gradient bar to add more color range to your image.
Use a Levels Adjustment to Control Gradient Over the Background
How the Gradient Map is applied is based on the light on the image, and you can control the light using the Levels adjustment layer. Go to the Layers panel > New Adjustment Layer icon > Levels.
On the Levels’ Properties panel, you can adjust the brightness of the image and determine how dark your shadows are and how bright your highlights are.
Create a Highlight
Select the Brush tool from the Toolbar and set the Foreground color to white (#ffffff).
Set the Brush Hardness to 0% for a smoother paintbrush.
Create a New Layer, name it “Highlight,” and use the Brush tool to paint in your highlights.
Blur the Background
Select the Background layer > right-click > Convert to Smart Object. With a Smart Object, you can apply editable adjustments, distortions, filters, and transformations.
Choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Adjust the Radius value until you achieve a realistic-looking blurry background.
Group the Background Layers
Select the Background layer, hold Shift (Windows) or Shift (macOS), select the Gradient Map layer, then press CtrlG (Windows) or CommandG (macOS) to place them in one group.
Rename the new Group to “Background.”
For a more straightforward distinction, right-click on the Group and set the color to Green or any color you want.
Mask the Model Layer
Proceed to work on the image subject and start masking it from its current background. The fastest way you can achieve that is by going to the Properties panel > Quick Actions > Remove Background.
Note: If you cannot find the Quick Actions, choose Window > select Properties.
Note: If you’re working with an older Photoshop version, use the Quick Selection tool instead. Create a selection of your subject, then click the Layer Mask icon to apply a layer mask.
Fine-tune the Mask with the Select and Mask Workspace
Apply a temporary background layer by clicking on the New Adjustment Layer icon > Solid Color to properly see the applied mask.
Pick a safe color that makes it easy to distinguish the subject from the background. For example, gray.
Select the Layer Mask thumbnail, go to the Properties panel, and click the Select and Mask button.
For a deeper walkthrough of this workspace, see this two-step Select and Mask tutorial.
Set the View option as Black & White.
Under Global Refinements, adjust the Smooth, Contrast sliders, and Shift Edge sliders to refine the edges of your mask.
Remove the Fringing with the Minimum Filter
If you can still see fringing or a faint hint of the subject’s original background, choose Filter > Other > Maximum or Minimum.
Select Maximum if you need to expand the mask edge
Select Minimum if you need to contract the mask edge.
In the Maximum/Minimum window, make sure the Preview is enabled to see the Filter applied in real time. Then, adjust the Radius value to match the image’s requirements.
You can also set the Preserve to Roundness (for humans/animals) or Squareness (for inanimate objects).
Fine-Tune the Hair Selection
Refining the mask for the hair has an entirely different process. Start by going back to Select and Mask, select the Refine Edge Brush tool, or press R (Windows) or R (macOS).
Use the tool to click-and-drag along the edges of the hair to retrieve the hair strands. Then, press OK to save the changes.
Tip: If the results aren’t perfect, hold Shift (Windows) or Shift (macOS) and click the Layer Mask icon to disable the layer mask, then adjust it further.
Next, go to the Channels panel and see which channel has a starker contrast between the subject and the background and then duplicate it.
With the duplicated channel selected, press CtrlI (Windows) or CommandI (macOS) to invert the color.
Choose Image > Adjustments > Levels. On Input Levels, click-and-drag the black point to the right until the darker pixels turn solid black. Then click-and-drag the white point until the light gray pixels turn solid white.
Press OK to apply the changes.
With the duplicated channel adjusted, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) as you click the channel thumbnail to load the bright pixels as a selection.
Click on the RGB channel to enable all the channels.
Go back to the Layers panel > New Adjustment Layer icon > Solid Color.
On the Color Picker window, select a dark color and press OK.
After that, place the Solid Color layer below the subject layer.
Hold Shift (Windows) or Shift (macOS) as you select the Layer Mask thumbnail to bring it back.
With the Layer Mask thumbnail selected, select the Brush tool, and set the Foreground color to black (#000000). Use the tool to paint along the edges of the hair to hide those pixels in the current layer.
Create a Group
Create another Group and place the Color Fill layer inside it.
Click on New Layer Mask with the Group selected to apply a layer mask to the group.
Again, use the Brush tool to paint along the subject’s edges to hide the dark pixels.
Change the color of the Color Fill layer to a shade that matches the hair so it blends seamlessly. Press OK to apply.
Move the Model Layer Into the Background Document
Now, merge both the subject and the Color Fill layer, then convert it into a Smart Object.
Note: A Smart Object is a container that can hold one or more layers. It lets you apply editable adjustments, distortions, filters, and transformations.
Click-and-drag your subject over to the Background’s tab and adjust the scale of the layer as needed.
Apply a brown color grade to the model layer with a Gradient Map
Create another Gradient Map adjustment layer and clip it to the layer below by going to the Properties panel and clicking on the Clipping Mask icon. This step ensures that it only applies the adjustments to the layer directly below it.
At 100% Location, change the Color stop to a dark brown color.
Switch to 50% Location, change the Color stop to a brown color.
At 0% Location, change the Color stop to a light brown color.
Then, press OK to save the changes.
Hide the Color Grade Effect with a Layer Mask
Since the Gradient Map has also been applied to the eyes, use a layer mask to hide the effect.
Select the Brush tool, set the Foreground color to black (#000000), and paint around the eyes to remove the Gradient Map effect.
Use a Levels Adjustment to Control Gradient Over the Model
Select the subject layer, then create a Levels adjustment layer to tweak its luminosity. Add a dramatic effect by increasing contrast and ensuring nothing in the photo is completely white.
Adjust the Image as a Whole with the Camera Raw Filter
Select the Gradient Map, Levels, and subject layers, then press CtrlG (Windows) or CommandG (macOS) to place them in a single group.
Then, rename the group to “Model.”
Now, select both groups > right-click > Convert to Smart Object so you can work on the image as a single photo.
To start editing, double-click on the Smart Object thumbnail and it opens in another tab.
Choose Filter > Camera Raw Filter. From here, you can start adjusting the colors, details, effects, to enhance the entire image.
Camera Raw also has a dedicated Color Grading panel if you want even more control over shadows, midtones, and highlights.
Once you’re done setting adjustments, press CtrlS (Windows) or CommandS (macOS) to save the changes and automatically apply them to the working document.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need two Gradient Map adjustment layers, one Levels adjustment layer for each group, and the Select and Mask workspace to cut out the subject. The Camera Raw Filter ties the whole image together at the end.
A Gradient Map reads the luminance of every pixel and reassigns colors based on where that pixel falls on a gradient. The color stop at 0% controls the shadows, and the color stop at 100% controls the highlights.
One Gradient Map grades the background green, and a second one, clipped to the subject layer, grades the subject brown. Splitting the grade this way pushes each part of the image toward a different color without affecting the other.
Choose Filter > Other > Maximum or Minimum. Minimum contracts the mask edge and removes a light-colored fringe, while Maximum expands it. Set Preserve to Roundness for a person or Squareness for an object.
Duplicate the channel with the most contrast between the subject and the background, invert it, and adjust its Levels until the hair reads as solid white. Load that channel as a selection, then use it to build a layer mask that keeps the loose hair strands.
Yes. Every tool this tutorial uses, Gradient Map, Levels, Select and Mask, and the Camera Raw Filter, has existed since Photoshop 2020. If you are on an older version without the one-click Remove Background button, use the Quick Selection tool instead.
The Gradient Map applies to every pixel on the layer it sits on, including the eyes. Paint with black on its layer mask to hide the effect there and keep the whites of the eyes looking natural.
It lets you fine-tune the whole composite as one image instead of adjusting each layer separately. You can push the shadows, add texture and grain, and add a vignette before saving the changes back to the Smart Object.
Conclusion
This copycat grade comes down to two Gradient Map adjustment layers, one for the background and one for the subject.
A careful hair mask holds the composite together, and a pass through the Camera Raw Filter ties the whole image into one color grade. Once you are comfortable with the workflow, try it on a poster or album cover you like instead of Homecoming’s.
Watch the full video above, and comment on the video if you get stuck on a step.
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Keep going
Next, learn how to build a cyberpunk color grade with the Camera Raw Filter.
Related Links
Final Image
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