Split Toning using Photokit

[dclarke5]

On my monochrome images I am currently using one of the three Sepia layers and then adding a Selenium layer on top, but reduce the opacity of this layer so getting a mixture of the two tones. However is there a way of adding the sepia layer to the shadows and the selenium layer to the highlights so giving an effective split tone effect.

Regards
Dave

[Alan_Dunne]

I suppose you could use layer masks to localize the toning to where you want it. The color range tool in the PS selection menu would be a good place to start for a fast mask generation for your shadows and highlights. Also the layer blending options accessed from the layers palette can give some control over shadow and highlight selections and the "hardness" of the transition.

The other thing to consider would be to use the Photokit Color product, which has several split tone options. It works very well for me at least, although I am not doing any professional level monochrome

[dclarke5]

Thank you Alan for your thoughts. Looks like I'll have to experiment a little more and certainly try your suggst with the layer masks. I was hoping that when using the colour balance controls, instead of the slider controls for the standard colour channels for shadows. midtones and highlights, that there would be a way of somehow applying the Photokit tones such as Sepia 2 to the shadows, and selenium to the highlights.
I'm assuming that the Photokit Colour product will be using the colour balance channels to apply pre-determined settings to an image, as I don't see a sepia/selenium split tone listed.
Regards
Dave

[Alan_Dunne]

You're right. Photokit Color does not have a spepia/selenium split tone effect!

In Martin Evening's book "Adobe Photoshop CS for Photographers" there is a description of the split tone technique using Color balance. He uses the advanced blending options to control the transitions.

In Katrin Eismann's book "Real World Digital Photography" 2nd edition she describes using Hue/Sat layers with layer masks selected using Color Range tool.

Cheers .... Alan

[Jeff Schewe]

To do split toning, you'll need to take the top layer and adjust the "Blend If" in the Layer blending options. Double click the image icon on the top layer. Adjust the top layer blend-either the shadow point up or the highlight point down. Note, this will look like crap until you hold the option/alt key to split the point. Then the slider becomes two sliders which are indepentently adjustable. You can blend the results of the layer blend option that way.

Hum. . .sounds like a tip coming on for PhotoshopNews!

:-)

[dclarke5]

Thank you Alan.
Thank you Jeff.
I'll look out for the books you've mentioned.
Dave