Adding the red shade effect to your pictures gives them a moody, dramatic, and truly retro vibe. It‘s a simple way to create a timeless look or highlight specific emotions in your images to tell a story.
To help you with this, we’ll show you three quick methods to do this in Photoshop. We’ll select one to discuss in detail so you can get this effect in your pictures with ease.
Table of Contents
Methods to Create a Red Tint on Image Using Photoshop
Below, we’ll explain the most common methods to create a red tint on an image using Photoshop and point out their limitations.
Method 1: Black & White Adjustment Layer
Black & White Adjustment Layer is one of the simplest methods to tweak the tint of the picture and apply a red shade. However, if you overdo the effect, it can make the photo look unnatural and flat.
Method 2: Gradient Map
With the Gradient Map, you can add multiple shades of red to your images to create a duotone or even a tritone effect. It also has preset red gradients to add to your pictures. The catch? You may find it hard to balance the gradient to get the best outcome.
Method 3: Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer
The Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer method lets target specific color ranges for red and adjust the settings to get the desired look. The only downside is that you need a good understanding of color theory to get it right.
Steps to Add Red Shade Effect to a Picture In Photoshop
For this guide, we are going with the “Black & White Adjustment Layer” method because it’s straightforward and offers great control over the intensity of the red shade. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Upload Your Picture to Adobe Photoshop
First, open Photoshop on your PC and click “Open” on the main dashboard. Go to the drive or folder where you’ve saved your picture, select it, and click “Open” to import it to the Photoshop editing interface.
Next, right-click the photo in the “Layers” panel on the right side of the screen and choose “Duplicate Layer.” Rename the layer to “Red tint” and click “OK” to confirm your action.
NOTE: If you don’t see the “Layers” panel on the right, click “Windows” in the top menu ribbon and select “Layers” to open it.
Step 2: Add Red Tint Effect
In the next step, click “Image” in the top menu ribbon, select “Adjustments,” and choose “Black & White” from the sub-menu to open its window.
Here, checkmark “Tint” and click the “Color Picker (color box)” next to it.
Now, drag the slider to the top and move the cursor in the color box to apply different color effects of red. You can also simply enter the HEX code in the box or set the RGB value to get the desired tint. Finally, click “OK” > “OK” to save your changes.
If you do not want to make permanent changes to the image, click “Create a New Fill or Adjustment Layer” and select “Black & White.” Now repeat the above steps to add the red tint effect to your picture.
Step 3: Export the Picture
Once you’re happy with the result, save your work! Click “File” in the top left corner of the screen, choose “Export,” and select “Export As” from the sub-menu.
Set the file format to PNG, JPG, or WebP, choose the size, and click “Export.”
Then, select the location where you want to download your editing image and click “Save As.”
Tips and Tricks
Use Layer Masks for Selective Tinting
Use layer masks to apply the effect only where you want it. It’s perfect for creating moody portraits where you only want parts of the image to glow red.
Use Adjustment Layers
Instead of directly editing the image, create an adjustment layer. This keeps your original image intact and makes changes reversible.
Blend It Well
Don’t just stick with Normal Blend mode! Try to experiment with Overlay, Soft Light, or Color for your Adjustment layer. This can add depth to your red tint.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-saturating the Image
Adding too much red can make your photo look overly processed. Keep the tint color light to get a professional effect.
Ignoring Color Balance Across the Image
Applying the tint uniformly might not work for all images due to the color balance issue. So, it’s best to select the areas using a layer mask and adjust them separately if needed.
Skipping Save Options
Always save your file in PSD format first so you can go back and make changes later. Then export it in your desired format, like JPG, PNG, or WebP.
FAQs
Can I Undo the Red Tint Later?
If you’ve used adjustment layers, yes! Simply disable the “Layer Visibility (eye)” icon next to the adjustment layer. You can also click the layer and press “Delete” to erase it and revert the changes.
Why Does My Image Look Flat After Adding a Red Tint?
This might happen if you’ve overdone the tint. Double-click the layer thumbnail, click the “Color Box” next to “Tint,” and reduce the intensity of the red color to fix it.
Can I Save My Red Tint Settings for Future Use?
Absolutely! Save your adjustment layer settings as a preset. Click the menu icon in the Properties panel and choose “Save Preset.” Name it something memorable like “My Favorite Red Tint.”
Conclusion
In this article, you’ve learned how to apply the red shade effect to your pictures using the Image Adjustment Layer in Adobe Photoshop. We’ve also provided some useful tips for you to follow and discussed common mistakes to avoid.
Now, get out there and play around with different settings and combinations to give your photos that glamoury red tint!
