Color Grading Tutorials for Photoshop & Lightroom
Learn color correction and color grading in Photoshop and Lightroom: Curves, Camera Raw, gradient maps, LUTs, split toning, and the Point Color tool, plus the cinematic, vintage, and film looks that give your photos a signature. Nearly 180 free and PRO video tutorials from Aaron Nace.
What You’ll Learn
Color is two jobs that get confused with each other. Color correction makes an image accurate; color grading makes it feel like something. These tutorials teach both, in that order, because a grade built on a badly corrected file never quite works.
- Correction first. White balance, exposure, Levels versus Curves, and matching color between two images so they look like they were shot together.
- The grading tools. Curves, Selective Color, Gradient Maps, Color Lookup and LUTs, Camera Raw’s Color Grading panel, and the Point Color tool for surgical hue changes.
- Signature looks. Cinematic teal and orange, vintage film, muted matte, bold and vibrant, duotone, and black and white conversions that hold their tone.
- Local color. Masking color to skin, sky, or a single object, dodge and burn with color, and adding gradients to any object.
- Finishing. Film borders, grain, glow, Clarity and Dehaze, and how to keep a grade consistent across a whole shoot.
Where to Start
The Coloring Learning Path puts these tutorials in order, from correction through your first full grade. For Lightroom and Camera Raw specifically, the PRO course Advanced Color Grading in Lightroom & Adobe Camera RAW is the deep dive. If you want a look in one click while you learn, the LUTs and Lightroom presets are built from these techniques.
Free and PRO Tutorials
Free tutorials are complete lessons, not previews. PRO tutorials go deeper and longer, and they include the sample images, RAW files, actions, and presets used in the lesson so you can follow along on the exact same file. A PHLEARN PRO membership unlocks every PRO tutorial on the site, including all of the ones in this category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between color correction and color grading?
Correction fixes what the camera got wrong: white balance, exposure, and color casts, so the image is neutral and accurate. Grading is the creative step that gives the image a mood or style. Do correction first, every time.
Should I color grade in Lightroom or Photoshop?
Lightroom and Camera Raw are excellent for global grades and for applying one look across a shoot. Photoshop adds layer-based control, gradient maps, and precise masking for grades that treat skin, background, and highlights differently. Most of these tutorials show which to use and when.
How do I get the cinematic look?
Separate the warm tones of skin from cooler shadows and backgrounds, lift the blacks slightly, keep the highlights soft, and add a subtle glow. Several tutorials here build that look step by step in both Photoshop and Lightroom.
Where to Go Next
Color grading sits on top of a corrected image, so if your files are not there yet, start with Photo Editing. It pairs with Retouching for portraits, Styling for building a consistent look, and Visual Effects for glows, light, and atmosphere.
Learn Color in Order
The Coloring Learning Path goes from correction through your first complete grade.
On This Page
PHLEARN PRO
Every PRO tutorial in this category, with sample and RAW files, plus the full PRO library.
Create the perfect film look! Learn how to use masks and textures to make your photos look like real film. We’re even giving away a free drag-and-drop PSD with three realistic border styles so you can get amazing results fast!
Photoshop | Visual Effects | Easy | 15 mins | 1 video
5 Sample Images | 1 Sample PSD
Learn how to use Photoshop 2026’s new Clarity and Dehaze adjustment layer to instantly cut through atmospheric fog and restore incredible detail to your photos.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Easy | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 Sample PSD
Learn how to transform photos using realistic textures, blending modes, and non-destructive color grading in Photoshop for a professional, high-quality finish.
Photoshop | Visual Effects | Medium | 15 mins | 1 video
4 Sample Images | 2 Sample PSDs
Create stunning double exposures in Photoshop 2026! Learn to blend high-contrast images with Screen mode and use Generative Expand for the perfect fit.
Photoshop | Visual Effects | Medium | 15 mins | 1 video
3 Sample Images | 1 Sample PSD
Learn to change any color in Photoshop while keeping skin tones natural! Use Hue/Saturation and masking to add professional gradients for a stunning multi-tone look.
Photoshop | Visual Effects | Medium | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 Sample PSD
Photoshop Beta’s biggest AI upgrade is here! Learn to use Gemini 2.5 Nano Banana and Flux Context Pro with single text prompts for simultaneous complex image edits and advanced artistic changes.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Medium | 30 mins | 1 video
8 Sample Images | 8 Sample PSDs
Welcome to the final episode of our series! Today we’ll show you how to use blending modes and smart objects to create dynamic, artistic light effects that look in-camera.
Photoshop | Compositing | Advanced | 30 mins | 1 video
7 Sample Images | 1 Sample PSD
It’s day 29! Today, we’re diving into the differences between Lightroom and Photoshop. Use Lightroom for organizing and batch editing large sets of photos, and use Photoshop for detailed retouching, composites, and graphics on a single image.
Photoshop | Workflow | Advanced | 30 mins | 1 video
22 Sample Images | 1 Sample PSD
Learn to create a realistic Photoshop mockup using the Remove Tool, Smart Objects for perspective, and adding highlights and shadows for a lifelike image.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Advanced | 15 mins | 1 video
2 Sample Images | 1 Sample PSD
Get amazing colors for your photos! Learn a simple trick to match colors from one picture to another using a powerful tool in Photoshop. It’s easy, fast, and a huge upgrade for your work.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Advanced | 30 mins | 1 video
2 Sample Images | 1 Sample PSD
It’s day 24! Learn advanced Photoshop retouching using the Remove Tool and frequency separation. Make sure to download our free action to even out skin tone!
Photoshop | Retouching | Advanced | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 Sample PSD | 1 Photoshop Action
In Day 23 of 30 Days of Photoshop, we’ll teach you the basics of retouching! Learn how to remove blemishes and smooth out skin tones, creating a cleaner image while preserving all the beautiful, natural details.
Photoshop | Retouching | Medium | 30 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 Sample PSD
In Day 22 of 30 Days of Photoshop, we show you how to fix the exposure of any photo, recovering the details in dark shadows or blown-out highlights.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Medium | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 Sample PSD
It’s day 20! Learn how to color correct photos in Photoshop using the Camera Raw filter’s White Balance tool or handy Auto feature to fix JPEGs and raw files.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Medium | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 Sample PSD
Learn how to dodge and burn in Photoshop, recovering details and adding beautiful shape and dimension to your photos.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Medium | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 Sample PSD
It’s day 18 of our series! In today’s episode, learn how to use Photoshop blending modes to combine images and create stunning photo composites.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Medium | 30 mins | 1 video
8 Sample Images | 3 Sample PSDs
Blend If is Photoshop’s best kept secret. On day 17 we’ll show you how to use it to blend color and exposure effects into the highlights, midtones, and shadows of any Layer.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Medium | 15 mins | 1 video
2 Sample Images | 1 Sample PSD
Learn how to use the Liquify Tool to change the shape of clothing and protect areas you don’t want to be warped, like the body.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Medium | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 Sample PSD
In day 13 of our series, you’ll learn to crop, straighten, and expand images in Photoshop using the crop tool and AI for stunning compositions.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Easy | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 Sample PSD
On day 12 of 30 Days of Photoshop, learn to scale, rotate, and align layers for beautiful compositions, using Smart Objects for non-destructive editing and precise placement.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Medium | 30 mins | 1 video
3 Sample Images | 1 Sample PSD
It’s Day 11! Learn to remove distractions in Photoshop using the new Remove Tool and Generative Fill for effortless, one-click object removal with AI.
Photoshop | Photo Editing | Medium | 15 mins | 1 video
2 Sample Images | 2 Sample PSDs
