Daytime photos often lack the dramatic lighting and depth that is common in moonlight scenes. That’s why you may want to know the right techniques for changing background to nighttime so you can give your images a moody look and create a cinematic effect.
Below, we’ll show you two effective methods to apply this effect in Photoshop and discuss the steps for the simplest one.
Table of Contents
Methods For Changing Background to Nighttime in Photoshop
In Photoshop, you can turn day into night on your image with two methods:
Method 1: Color Lookup
The Color Lookup adjustment tool applies pre-made color filters to change the entire mood of your image. It’s a quick way to convert daylight into a nighttime scene. However, extra adjustments may be required to get a realistic look.
Method 2: Stock Images and Textures
You can also overlay nighttime textures for the moon, stars, and even street lights on your pictures and blend them well for a natural effect. The catch? It takes more time and skill to find the right balance. But if you’re up for the challenge, the results can be amazing!
Steps for Changing Time of the Day in Photo Using Adobe Photoshop
We’ve selected the “Color Lookup” method for changing background to nighttime. It is fast and gives you the most realistic effect.
Step 1: Open Your Image in Photoshop
To change the time of the day in a photo, open “Photoshop” and click “File” on the main interface. Select “Scripts,” choose “Load Files Into Stack,” and choose “File” next to “Use.”
Click “Browse,” select the main and a night sky image from your computer, and click “OK” to open them in the “Layers” panel in the Photoshop editing interface.
Step 2: Add Hue/Saturation Layer
With your daytime picture opened, click the eye icon next to the night sky image to hide it for now and select the “Background Layer” to add the nighttime effect.
Click “Create a New Fill or Adjustment Layer” (bottom of Layers Panel) and select “Hue/Saturation.”
Drag the slider next to “Saturation” to about negative 60 – 70 to reduce the saturation in the image.
Step 3: Add a Color Lookup Adjustment Layer
Again, click the “Create a New Fill or Adjustment Layer” setting at the bottom and choose “Color Lookup.”
Click the drop-down menu next to “3DLUT File” and choose “NightFromDay.CUBE” or “Moonlight.3DL” effect.
If your image has bright areas, go back to New Fill or Adjustment Layer and select “Levels.”
In the “Properties” panel, drag the lower white output level slider to 110-120 level to darken the highlights. Then, drag the top “Gamma” slider to the right to about 0.70- 0.80 to create more contrast and darken the midtones.
Step 4: Adjust the Nightsky Image
In the latest version of Photoshop, select the “Background Layer,” click “Select” in the top menu ribbon, and choose “Sky.” Photoshop will use Adobe Sensei to detect the sky in your image and make a selection.
In case, you have an older version of Photoshop, utilize the “Selection” tool to select the sky area in the background layer.
Unhide the “Nightsky image” and select the layer. Then, click “Add Layer Mask” in the “Layers” panel to create a layer mask.
This will hide the original sky in your daytime image and add the new nighttime one.
Step 5: Export Your Image
Finally, click “File” (top right), choose “Export,” and select “Export As.”
Select the PNG or JPG file format, set the image size, and click “Export.” Choose the location or drive and click “Save” to download your picture.
Tips and Tricks
Use Multiple Adjustment Layers
Instead of relying on just one filter, try to use multiple adjustment layers like Curves, Hue/Saturation, Gradient Maps, or Levels to refine the effect and create a balanced night look.
Preview at Different Sizes
While changing time of the day in photo, zoom in and out regularly to make sure the effect looks convincing at various viewing distances. Otherwise, you may miss small details like unnatural color shifts, harsh edges, or areas that still look too bright.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overdoing the Effect
When you darken the black too much while applying the “Curves” adjustment layer, your image looks fake. So, start with small changes first and check how they affect the overall look.
Ignoring Light Sources
If your picture has streetlights, car headlights, or indoor lighting, you need to adjust them separately. For this, you can simply use the white brush and carefully paint over the light sources to bring back their natural glow.
FAQs
Can I Get a Realistic Night Effect on All Types of Photos?
You might find it hard to get a realistic nighttime effect in images with strong directional sunlight, harsh shadows, or high-contrast lighting scenarios. For starters, use pictures taken on overcast days or during golden hour.
How Do I Make Windows Glow at Night?
If you want windows on the house to glow at night in an image, use a soft brush with a warm yellow or orange color and paint over them on a new layer using Photoshop.
Conclusion
To conclude, you’ve learned the step-by-step instructions on changing background to nighttime using the “Color Lookup” adjustment layer in Photoshop.
If you carefully follow the steps and tips and avoid the common pitfalls discussed in this guide, you’ll maintain realism in your pictures and easily achieve the desired effect.
