Tuesday Tip: Photoshop Toning, part 1,999

Okay, so the “part 1,999″ thing is just a joke. I know have I done several of these toning tips, but they are fun and there are so many interesting ways to tone an image in Photoshop. As always, here is my disclaimer: Every image has its unique qualities, so tone thoughtfully, in a way that is specific to each image. I just got back from Charlotte, NC  Sunday evening. I had 10 photo sessions scheduled over the weekend, so I met all kinds of cute kids! I will be sharing those sessions with you in the following weeks, here is a quick peak at one.

This is Gracyn, my sister’s niece. Sooo cute…wait until you see her brother…he is a cutie and a half too! The type of toning we will do with this technique lends itself well to achieving an aged photograph feel.

Step 1: Start out by locating a photograph you would like to tone, then open it in Photoshop. Do your necessary adjustments before toning. And of course, you may need to make some adjustments afterwards.

Step 2: If you have multiple layers click on the top most layer in the layers palette, then go down to the adjustment layer menu (half-black, half-white circle) and choose “Color.”

I am going to start you out with a warm tone, but you will experiment later on.

Step 3: Enter 92 for red, 86 for green and 74 for blue. Click OK. This will give you a warmish gray color that fills your image window.

Step 4: (With your solid color adjustment layer selected) Go up to the blend modes menu and choose “Color.”

Now your image should appear toned:

This was just one tone. To experiment, double click on the solid layer icon (looks like a box in the layer with the color in it), then try different colors other than what I gave. I hope that will be useful for you!