Introduction
Today, we will discuss various toning techniques applied in photo color correction, based on the complementary color scheme, and use specific examples to illustrate how to distinguish them.
What is Toning?
Toning is the process of changing the color balance and hues of an image to achieve a certain visual effect. It can be applied during the editing process or at the ‘developing’ stage of a photograph from a raw file.
History of Toning
Toning in photography has existed almost as long as photography itself. In the early days of black-and-white photography, toning was applied using chemical solutions to create different effects, such as the yellowish tint of sepia. Over time, the advent of color film photography introduced new nuances, including special films and techniques, like the cross-process method, that further enhanced toning.
In the photograph on the left, various types of toning applied in the era of black-and-white photography are stacked one after another. The most common one, sepia (in the center), gives a yellowish tint to photographs. Back then, chemical solutions were used for toning. Later on, in the era of color film photography, each film had its own unique nuances of color rendition, and there were also special films with enhanced toning and development processes that radically changed color rendition, for example, the popular among lomographers cross-process method of developing positive slide film using the process for developing of negative films.
Color Toning Variations
Each type of toning adds its own mood to an image. For instance:
- Warm toning (emphasizing reds and yellows) evokes warmth and coziness.
- Cool toning (dominated by blues and greens) creates a sense of calmness and detachment.
Warm Toning Example
This is an example of warm toning. The skin, dress, scales, and background are graded into a uniform shade with a slightly orange tint. The left side shows the original, while the right side shows monochrome toning.
Enhancing with Complementary Colors
The use of complementary colors significantly enhances the emotional impact of toning. Complementary colors are opposites on the color wheel (e.g., blue and orange, red and green). Using these colors in toning adds depth and contrast, creating a more visually striking image.
Strict and Extended Complementary Schemes
Using such a scheme is easy with the help of a color wheel: select a color, and then find the opposite (complementary) one. For example, blue and orange or red and green.
Complementary colors can be used in different ratios, but often one color dominates while the other is used as an accent. This can highlight strict complementarity, where directly opposite colors are used, and extended complementarity – it includes not only pure colors but also their shades, tones, and shadows.
This color scheme is the most common and is often used in cinema, design, painting, photography, and other forms of visual arts to enhance the visual effect.
Individual authors and artists strongly highlight such a scheme against others. For example, director Gaspar Noé often turns to it in his films. If you watch his films “Climax,” “Enter the Void,” “Irreversible,” and others, you can often find such combinations in the frames.
In the example below, toning with a predominance of green shade is vividly expressed – we guess, looking at the photo, that the girl is a blonde – in reality, she does not have colored strands, but in the screenshot, her hair has a characteristic green tint. Also, the hair and the white stripes on the boy’s sweater have a bluish tint – in reality, this is not the case either – from such details, we understand that a color corrector has worked here. But to a greater extent, we see this by the shade of the skin – if the colors of clothing and hair can mislead us because they can be the most unrealistic shades, then the color of the skin cannot be blue or green, which tells us about the application of toning.
Complementary Color Scheme in Art and Photography
Designers of interiors love to use the complementary scheme. For example, in the works of Philippe Starck, one can often see contrasting color combinations.
Also, the complementary scheme is loved by contemporary artists – for example, it is especially often found in the works of Mark Rothko, who liked to resort to the contrast technique (“Royal Red and Blue,” 1954) – a classic example of complementary colors.
In photography, a perfect example can be the work of photographer Steve McCurry, especially his famous shot “Afghan Girl,” where green and red colors of the scarf, eyes, and background are combined.
Applying Complementary Color Schemes in Post-Processing
Color schemes are not only applied in the process of preparation or during the creation of a frame. Such schemes can also be created at the stage of image processing with the help of toning.
Many photographers use various color schemes to tone their works. The main goal: change the mood of the photo, add colors or liven up a bland original. For example, we see how the photo below transforms.
In the photograph by Paulo del Valle, we see the application of a split-complementary scheme, which enhances blue, green, sandy, and brown colors. Such toning can be called warm breath.
Below and further in the article, except for specifically designated cases, the original image is presented on the left, the toned one on the right, and the color palette of the photo on the side.
On other photographs by the author, one can see examples of purer toning. How can we understand that the photo was toned? The first giveaway is the color of the grass: in warm toning, it has a more orange shade – as if the meadow is soaked with sun. Also, toning can be spotted by the white color – for example, the clouds on the right are darker than on the left. Such toning can be called midgrey.
On the pair below with the warm toning, the sky has a greenish-copper tint. In the girl’s hair on the left, there is more yellow than on the right; the shade of the road on the right has a slight coppery tinge, while on the left – it is more gray. Let’s call such toning on the right rare moss.
On the next pair, toning is also clearly visible in the right photograph: in the grass, there are bright orange fragments, and in the air, there is a golden shade. On the right, the color of the grass varies from dark green to bluish-green.
Such toning can be called a brown bush.
In the photograph by Chris Orwig, almost terracotta toning is applied. Such toning can be called deep honey.
Also, in his other photos, one can see a perfect illustration of warm toning. For example, in the photo on the right, everything is bathed in dense golden light, but at the same time, shades of dusty blue and green are still present. Let’s call such a toning forest sun.
In the next photo, we see quite a colorful toning, consisting almost of contrasting colors, resulting in a juicy picture. Such toning can be given the name of cyan gold.
And in the photo below, almost monochrome toning is applied – very warm and sunny. Toning can be determined by the orange color of the girl’s skin and the horse’s hair coat. Such an effect can be called light honey.
And in the photo below, almost monochrome toning is applied – very warm and sunny. Toning can be determined by the orange color of the girl’s skin and the horse’s hair coat. Such an effect can be called light honey.
Photographer Ben Sasso likes to use a simple technique of reducing color saturation and, as a result, some natural colors come to the forefront. Such exquisite toning can be defined as a clear path.
Identifying Toning in Photos
To identify toning, look at natural elements like grass or the sky. If grass appears unnaturally light or the sky has a blue tint despite being overcast, it indicates toning has been applied.
Split Toning and Violet Touch
In the next example, split toning creates the effect of a gentle sunset. This combination of colors can be referred to as violet touch.
Toning with Artificial Colors
In the image by Malick Sidibé, toning changes not just the overall feel but also specific elements like clothing, masks, and skin tones. These unnatural color choices can create a colorful attraction.
Cartoon Vibe Toning
The following example, using prominent orange and blue toning, creates an almost comic-book-like effect, referred to as cartoon vibe.
Natural Selection and Sparkling Blue
Other refined toning examples include:
- Natural Selection, where blue and gray tones dominate.
- Sparkling Blue, where both orange and blue tones are used, significantly altering the wall’s color from white to blue.
Warm Toning by David Curbit
David Curbit’s photos exemplify warm toning, where every object in the image adopts a distinctive warm shade.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored various examples of complementary color schemes and how different artists apply complementary toning in visual arts. In the next article, we will explore how different toning techniques change the perception and emotional impact of an image.