If you’ve invested in an expensive camera and mastered the technical aspects of photography, you might think you’re done. But here’s the truth: buying an expensive camera is just the beginning of creating stunning photos. Editing your images is just as important as shooting them, and that’s where color grading comes in.

Color grading is the process of enhancing and adjusting the colors in your photos to create a specific mood, atmosphere, or aesthetic. It’s what separates amateur snapshots from professional, eye-catching images that stop people mid-scroll.

Why Color Grading Matters

Think about your favorite movies or Instagram accounts with that signature look. That’s not happening in-camera alone, it’s the result of careful color grading. Whether you’re aiming for a warm, cinematic feel, a cool and moody vibe, or a bright and airy aesthetic, color grading gives you complete creative control over the final look of your images.

The Best Techniques

In the video below, I walk you through powerful color grading methods in Photoshop. Each technique is non-destructive, meaning you can always go back and make adjustments without losing your original image quality. These methods work for any type of photography: portraits, landscapes, product shots, you name it.