How to Add a Dual Tone Effect to Your Portraits Using Snapseed
A dual tone effect in photography refers to using two contrasting colors in a photograph to create a more striking and attractive visual effect. It can be used to create a mood or atmosphere and can also be used to draw attention to certain elements in the image.
it’s possible to achieve the dual tone effect by shooting with two different colored lights or post-processing the image to add the desired colors. If you already have a portrait that would look better with dual tone lightning, you can use your smartphone to add the effect. Let’s show you how to create a dual tone effect for your portraits using Snapseed.
How to Add Dual Tone Effect to Your Portraits Using Snapseed
The dual tone effect works best with a black and white portrait. So, before starting, you must convert your image to black and white and remove any unwanted elements from the background.
Convert Your Image to Black and White
Here’s how to convert your image to black and white using Snapseed.
Open Snapseed and import your image by tapping anywhere on the screen.
Go toTools>Crop. Crop your portrait with the free aspect ratio selected, so you don’t have any unwanted elements in the photo. Hit the tick mark once you are satisfied.
OpenTools>Black and white. Select theNeutral Styleand adjust theBrightnessandContrastof your image to highlight the facial expressions. Tap on the tick mark to confirm your edit.
Next, go toTools>Tune imageand adjust theBrightness,Contrast,Ambiance,Highlights, andShadowsof your image to make the facial lighting even.
OpenTools>Curvesand either bring theleft pointer all the way up to make the image white or bring the right pointer all the way down to make the image black. For our example, it is better to make the background white. Tap on the tick mark to save the edit.
Go toEdit stack, openView edits, tap on the last layer, i.e.Curves, and select theStack brush.
Selectively paint over the background area you want to remove with the brush strength set to100.
Zoom into your image, change the brush strength to0, and revert any parts you don’t want to be removed. For instance, retaining the hair details and shirt outline in our sample picture would be best.
The above steps would allow you to add the dual tone effect to your image effectively. If you find removing the background challenging, try one of thesesmartphone apps that will remove the backgroundfor you.
Create the Dual Tone Effect
Follow the below steps to create the dual tone lighting effect for your portrait.
Go toTools>Curvesand bring the left slider up to make the image white. Tap the tick mark to save the edit.
OpenCurvesagain and select a color channel. For instance, if you want a red color, bring down the right pointer for theBlueandGreenchannels until you achieve your desired color. Hit the tick mark to save.
SelectExportand againExportto save the image.
Go to theEdit Stack, openView edits, and tap on the last layer, i.e.Curves. Select the third option to adjust the curves layer.
Tinker with the different curves to create the second color. For instance, if you want a blue color, bring down theRedandGreencolor curves.
Save the image by tappingExport>Export.
Now, go back toEdit stack>View edits, and delete the last two curve layers. You won’t need them anymore.
Go toTools>Double Exposureand tap onOpen Image. Select one of the color images you have created and set theStyletoOverlay. Adjust theOpacityif necessary.
Go toEdit stack>View edits>Double Exposureand open theStack brush.
Zoom out of the image by pinching in. Set the brush strength to100units and start painting from the outside of the image. Perform vertical strokes slowly for an even distribution of color.
Zoom in slightly and set the brush strength to0. Gradually remove the extra color from the opposite side of the image by performing the same vertical strokes. Stop when only half of the image has color.
Set the brush to25units and gradually paint over hair or other parts that should not be illuminated brightly. Tap on the tick mark when you are satisfied with the edit.
Go toTools>Double Exposureand tap onOpen Image. Select the second color image you have created and set theStyletoOverlay. Adjust theOpacityif necessary.
Now, zoom out and repeat the painting process from the opposite side. Slowly and neatly clean any unwanted area and tap the tick mark when you are satisfied with your edit.
That’s it. You have successfully created a dual tone effect for your portrait using Snapseed. The most prominently used features in this method are Curves and Double Exposure. you may learn more about these tools in ourSnapseed double exposure guide.
Limitations and Additional Tips
You can always add some finishing touches to your portraits in Snapseed using tools likeHDR-scape,Glamour Glow, and so on. We recommend adding aVignettelayer andGlamour Glowto your image since they work best with black and white or dual tone filters.
Meanwhile, you can add your finished dual tone image inDouble Exposureand try variousStylesto see if it improves your image.
The only limitation with using Snapseed for creating a dual tone effect is less control over masking. Using the Stack brush to mask your edits works fine. However, it does not give you complete control over painting selectively according to the natural light source. In addition, you get limited layer styles to pick up the best color exposure compared to the variety ofblending properties in Photoshop.
you could overcome these obstacles by tinkering with other tools in Snapseed, likeCurves, theSelectivetool, and so on.
Add Drama to Your Portraits With a Dual Tone Effect
The dual tone effect is widely used among photo editors and creatives to provide visual depth and symbolic meaning to the subject of a portrait. If you want to create a dual tone effect before capturing your portrait, it is best to use natural lighting. However, adding the effect to your photos in post-processing is also efficient and gives you a bit more creative control.
you may use Snapseed to create a dual tone effect from the comfort of your smartphone. It seems like a lot of steps, but it’s quicker and easier than you think.
Snapseed is a free photo editing app that helps you get the best out of your photos. Use these Snapseed tips for best results.
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