Warm, Golden Sunset Photoshop Tutorial

In this sunset Photoshop tutorial, we will learn how to improve and enhance sunsets in a picture by using a Gradient Map. Although sunsets are very commonly photographed, pictures rarely succeed to capture their rich, golden hues. We will try to bring some of that beauty back by using Photoshop.

For this sunset Photoshop tutorial, you’ll need:

• Any recent version of Photoshop should work

Step 1
Open the picture you want to use in Photoshop.

  

We will be using a Gradient Map adjustment layer to modify the picture. At the bottom of the Layers palette, click on the New Adjustment Layer option.

 

Select Gradient Map from the list that appears.

  

We will now edit the gradient by clicking on the gradient preview bar.

  

Let’s change the black color first by double-clicking on the black color stop.

  

Select a nice red color that will be applied on the dark areas of the picture.

  

  

Now, we will change the white color by double-clicking on the white color stop.

  

We will now select a bright yellow color for the light areas in the picture.

  

 

Step 2
The colors are not blending in with the picture too well, but we will fix that by changing the layer blending mode and opacity. Change the Gradient Map layer’s blending mode to Overlay, which will make the dark areas darker and light areas lighter.

  

 

Step 3
Now, the colors are blending in better with the picture, but the colors are still too intense. To fix that, lower the opacity according to your picture. I will be setting the opacity at 40%.

  

Now that you have adjusted the opacity of the Gradient Map layer, you are done! This sunset Photoshop tutorial is now complete!