Adjustment Layer and Gradient Map

Creating a black and white photo with Gradient Fill in photohop is no big deal. But you can have some fun. You can not only make a black and white image, but makes the blacks and whites more prominent or also add another Gradient and get a vintage effect. 

I will be using this free stock image. You will find it here

It belongs to fetishfaerie-stock

The processed image.

Step 1 : Click the New Fill or Adjustment layer button at the bottom of the Layers palette. Click on Gradient Map from the pop up menu.

The Gradient Map 1 Layer has been added.

This is the Gradient Map.

The image looks like this.

Step 2 : Click where shown.

It opens the Gradient Editor. 

Step 3 : Click the Black Stop at the left. The Color which was greyed out changes to Black.

Step 4 : Type 25 in Location.

Step 5 : Click on the White Stop at the right. The Color changes to White.

Step 6 : Type 85 in the Location. Click OK in the Gradient Editor to close it.

The image looks like this. Look at the image under Step 1 and then at this image. The Blacks and Whites have become more pronounced.

Step 7 : Click the Adjustment button and make another Gradient Map layer.

There is a Gradient Map 2 Adjustment Layer.

Step 8 : Click the Gradient to bring up the Gradient Editor.

Step 9 : Click the Violet, Orange Gradient.

Step 10 : Click the Stop at the left. The Color turns to Red.

Step 11 : Type 25 in Location.

Step 12 : Click the Green Stop at the Right. The Color changes to Green.

Step 13 : Type 85 in Location. Click OK in the Gradient Editor.

The image looks like this.

Step 14 : Click the Blend Mode to change it.

Step 15 : Change the Blend Mode to Soft Light.

The image looks like this.

Step 16 : Lower the Opacity of the Layer to 35%.

The image looks like this.

Step 17 : Click the Adjustment button and click on Vibrance.

The Vibrance Adjustment Layer forms.

In Vibrance you will find Vibrance and Saturation sliders.

Step 18 : Drag the Vibrance slider to 80 and Saturation to 50.

The image looks like this.

Step 19 : Drag down the Vibrance to 60 and Saturation to 40.

The finished image. Other Photoshop tutorials are here

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