Split Toning for Colour Studio Portraits

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I’ve always loved using split toning for B&W photos to create contrast and mood, but recently I’ve realised how transformative it can be for colour portraits, especially in the studio. By balancing **cool tones** in the shadows and **warm tones** in the highlights, you can add a cinematic quality and subtle depth to your images. It’s a fantastic way to draw focus to your subject while keeping the overall look polished and professional.

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My Lightroom Colour Grading Settings

For this portrait of Amanda, I used Lightroom’s Colour Grading Panel with the following values as a starting point:

Shadows:
– Hue: ~210 (blue-teal)
– Saturation: 20%
– Luminance: -10%

Highlights:
– Hue: ~45 (golden-yellow)
– Saturation: 25%
– Luminance: +15%

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Pro Tip
After applying your split tone, use radial masks or graduated filters to enhance the background or edges. This keeps skin tones natural while adding emphasis to the overall composition. Adjust the curves for precise colour and tonal balance.

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What About You?
Give these settings a try and let me know if they work for you! Or, if you’ve got any tips or favourite split toning techniques, share them in the comments—I’d love to hear your approach!

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#Lightroom @SplitTone