Bits of .NET

🎨 Color Grading = Cinematic Power

Photos are flat. Color grading creates mood. Cinematic looks, professional feel, emotional impact — all with color.

📝 Color Grading Tools

# 1. Curves (Powerful)
- Image → Adjustments → Curves
- RGB curve: Overall brightness
- Individual channels: Color adjustments
- S-curve: Add contrast
- Point curve: Precise control

# 2. Color Balance
- Image → Adjustments → Color Balance
- Shadows: Add blue (cool shadows)
- Midtones: Balance skin tones
- Highlights: Warmth for glow

# 3. Selective Color
- Image → Adjustments → Selective Color
- Adjust specific colors individually
- Perfect for cinematic looks
- Control reds, blues, etc.

# 4. Gradient Map
- Create mood with color mapping
- Layer → New Adjustment Layer → Gradient Map
- Two-tone and duotone effects

# 5. Photo Filter
- Simulate camera filters
- Warming filter (85)
- Cooling filter (80)
- Tint effects

# 6. Hue/Saturation
- Adjust specific color ranges
- Master control: Overall
- Individual: Red, Yellow, Green, etc.

🎯 Cinematic Looks

# Teal and Orange (Blockbuster look)
- Shadows: Add teal (cyan/blue)
- Highlights: Add orange/warmth
- Skin tones: Keep warm
- Sky/water: Push to teal
- Used in: Marvel, Star Wars

# Desaturated Look
- Reduce saturation (-30 to -50)
- Add subtle warmth
- Lift shadows (curve)
- Used in: Mad Max, post-apocalyptic

# Vintage Film Look
- Curves: S-curve (contrast)
- Color Balance: Add yellow/red
- Add grain (Filter → Noise)
- Vignette: Darken edges
- Used in: Period dramas, retro

# High Contrast (Film Noir)
- Strong S-curve
- Deep blacks
- Desaturated colors
- Hard lighting effect
- Used in: Crime, dramatic

# Pastel Dream
- Lift shadows (muted)
- Reduce contrast
- Soft colors
- Add pink/teal
- Used in: Romance, dreamy

# Sci-Fi Cyberpunk
- Blue shadows
- Magenta/purple highlights
- High contrast
- Deep colors
- Used in: Blade Runner, cyber

💡 Color Grading Workflow

• Start with basic correction (exposure, white balance)
• Use adjustment layers (non-destructive)
• Create separate layers for shadows, midtones, highlights
• Use masks for selective grading
• Less is more — subtle grading is professional
• Save presets for consistency