1. Import Your Photo:
* Open Lightroom Mobile.
* Tap the "+" icon in the bottom right corner.
* Select the photo you want to edit from your device's gallery or camera roll.
2. Navigate to the Color Tab:
* Once your photo is open, look for the "Color" tab in the bottom menu. It's represented by a color wheel icon.
3. Access Split Toning:
* Inside the "Color" tab, scroll down until you find the "Color Grading" panel. Tap on it. (Sometimes you may need to click on the Mixer first to get to Color Grading)
4. Understand the Split Toning Components:
* Highlights: This section controls the color tint applied to the brightest areas of your image.
* Midtones: This section controls the color tint applied to the midtone areas of your image.
* Shadows: This section controls the color tint applied to the darkest areas of your image.
* Blending: This slider controls how much the highlights and shadows blend together. Lower values create a more defined split, while higher values create a smoother transition.
* Balance: This slider biases the effect towards either the highlights or the shadows. A positive value emphasizes the highlights, while a negative value emphasizes the shadows.
5. Apply Your Color Tints:
* Choose Your Colors: Tap on the color wheel next to "Highlights", "Midtones", and/or "Shadows" to open the color picker. Drag the circle within the wheel to select the hue (color) and saturation (intensity) you desire for that area. You can experiment by using different hue, saturation, and luminance, and/or you can also type in a numerical value. Many photographers use complementary colors for highlights and shadows. For example, warm colors (oranges, yellows) for highlights and cool colors (blues, purples) for shadows.
* Adjust Saturation: After selecting a hue, adjust the saturation using the slider below the color wheel. Higher saturation values will make the color more intense, while lower values will make it more subtle. You can set the saturation to 0 to create a monochrome split tone using only different tints of gray.
* Adjust Luminance: After selecting a hue, adjust the Luminance using the slider below the color wheel. Higher Luminance values will make the color brighter, while lower values will make it darker.
* Experiment with Blending and Balance: Adjust the "Blending" and "Balance" sliders to refine the overall look.
* Blending: A higher blending value (closer to 100) will create a softer, more gradual transition between the highlight and shadow colors. A lower value (closer to 0) will create a sharper, more distinct split.
* Balance: A positive balance value will emphasize the highlight color, while a negative value will emphasize the shadow color. A value of 0 will apply the colors equally.
6. Common Split Toning Recipes (Starting Points):
* Warm Highlights/Cool Shadows:
* Highlights: Orange or Yellow, low to moderate saturation.
* Shadows: Blue or Purple, low to moderate saturation.
* Adjust Blending and Balance to taste.
* Monochrome Split Toning:
* Highlights: A slightly warmer gray (reduce saturation, shift hue toward yellow slightly).
* Shadows: A slightly cooler gray (reduce saturation, shift hue toward blue slightly).
* Adjust Blending and Balance to taste.
* Vintage Film Look:
* Highlights: Slightly yellow, low saturation.
* Shadows: Slightly blue-green, very low saturation.
* Increase Blending for a softer look.
7. Fine-Tune and Adjust:
* Overall Exposure and Contrast: After applying the split toning, you may need to adjust the overall exposure and contrast of your image using the "Light" panel.
* Individual Color Channels: If needed, you can refine the colors further using the "Color Mixer" within the "Color" tab.
8. Save Your Preset (Optional):
* If you've created a split toning style you like, you can save it as a preset for future use.
* Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
* Select "Create Preset."
* Give your preset a descriptive name.
* Choose the groups you want to assign the preset to (e.g., "Color," "User Presets").
* Tap the checkmark to save.
Tips and Considerations:
* Subtlety is Key: Avoid overly saturated colors, especially when starting out. Subtle split toning often looks more professional.
* Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different color combinations and settings. The best split toning depends on the subject matter and your personal preferences.
* Consider Your Subject: The colors you choose should complement the mood and subject of your photo. Landscape photos might benefit from warm highlights and cool shadows, while portraits might work well with softer, more natural tones.
* Use Non-Destructive Editing: Lightroom Mobile edits are non-destructive, meaning you can always revert back to the original image if you don't like the results.
By following these steps and experimenting with different settings, you can create stunning split-tone effects in Lightroom Mobile and elevate your photography to the next level. Remember to start with small adjustments and gradually refine your edits to achieve the desired look.