There is nothing I enjoy more about photo post-production than the finishing effect phase. That’s when I take my time fine-tuning and polishing my photographs to create mood and emotion for the viewer. That’s when I craft the experience to share with others who may not have seen the beauty I did at the moment. Over the years, I have used many finishing effect techniques, but they all seem to pale in comparison to the power of the Diamond Gradient.
Yep, the diamond gradient of all things. I first discovered it on accident while recording my Ps Foundations course on Gradients. It was indeed a happy accident and one so genuine that I even left my reaction in the class when I first discovered it.
I’d say that almost any gradient can be used to manipulate the viewer’s mood, but the Diamond Gradient is always a happy surprise when I use it. Like this example image from Adobe Stock below.
Gradients are an incredible way to use Color Theory to control the mood of the image while Color Grading. In one adjustment Layer, you can completely transform a photo from reasonably good to AMAZING! But you have to use the right blend mode.
I have a whole video for you on this topic today, but here are some quick Diamond Gradient Tips:
- Use the Soft Light Blend Mode to start as it will be the easiest to get a general idea of what the resulting image will look like.
- Use the scale to make the gradient exceedingly small to dial it in exactly where you want it.
- Experiment with many different colors of gradients. Your first gradient may be a mess! But try to use gradients that exploit the color combination in the base image.
- Stick to compliments and colors that are found in nature. Sunlight can be exaggerated very easily with orange and yellow hues, while sunset skies and clouds may appreciate deeper blue, red, or magenta.
Watch today’s video to get a better understanding of how to use the Diamond Gradient in Photoshop.
Don’t forget to download the goodies I have provided as well. They are just under the video below▼
Want to download the Gradients & Actions?
I have prepared for you several Actions and 16 Gradients just waiting to blow up your sunset photos! Remembering all of this stuff can be hard, there are a lot of steps. My Actions will expedite the process and have you good to go in seconds!
For Blake, it's all about the art and process synergy. He dives deep into complex topics and makes them easy to understand through his outside-the-box thinking so that you can use these tricks in your workflow today!
I am so used to using radial or reflected, I never considered using diamond like this. Cool!
Thanks too for the goodies and the tip at 10:23 about the gradient palette.
Heck yeah! Pretty cool of PS CC 2020 🙂
Hi, would love to have the gradients and actions for the Diamond Gradient.
Sure thing, click here to get them ► https://f64academy.com/diamond-gradient-action/
Love learning something new. Thank you so much for this, never would have tried this.
Blake, very informative and useful, as always. And thanks for the gradients!
Blake, I am just finishing up the color theory lessons with PE2 and now you introduce this?!
MIND BLOWN!! As always, thank you so much for what you do in teaching us these amazing, useful techniques!
David
My pleasure, James 🙂 I love this stuff!
Thank you so much for your great enthusiasm and for all the knowledge you give away!
I downloaded the gradients and the Actions.
When running the Diamond gradient the initial Style is Diamond, but when changing the gradient the Style sets back to linear…
I suspect I am doing something wrong?
Javier
It is how you have your gradient window setup. I realized that this morning only after making the video. Click on th menu icon in the upper right, then change your checkmark from linear to diamond.
Enjoyed the video, but where is the box for my email address?
If you are having issues downloading the actions, try another browser.
Can these be used with PS apps on phone?
I dont know, I dont edit my image son mobile devices or laptops, the screens are too small.
Thank you
When I cycle through the different gradients after running your action the diamond gradient defaults back to a linear gradient. It’s easy to change but is the correct? Killer tutorial as always.
It is how you have your gradient window setup. I realized that this morning only after making the video. Click on th menu icon in the upper right, then change your checkmark from linear to diamond.
Great tip, Blake. Adds to the arsenal of image enhancing tools and ideas.
Will definitely make good use of the actions and gradients
OMG I am excited awesome tutoial as always.
🙂
I tried this towards the end of my workflow on a couple of different photos, and as you said in the video, it really does work on a wide range of photos. Thanks
Hi Blake! We’re had numerous interactions in the past, liked your work then, and still like it now, and have been pleased to see you a rising star in the photo community. I wish you continued success.
You’re definitely on to something with this one and appreciate you sharing. Old techniques explored, and somehow forgotten. BEST to you!
Holy Photographic Processing Batman!! And I thought your color grading with gradient maps and using radial dodging were the Cat’s Meow. I tried the diamond gradient on a couple of shots from previous camping trips out west – pure awesomeness!! Definitely going into the toolbox!! Thanks Blake!
Awesome Blake, such a dramatic effect with so little effort (for us not for you in creating the tools!) Many Thanks.
Really enjoyed your video. (as usual) Using your radial burn extensively from your dodge and burn panel. Inspirational stuff. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Brilliant Video, thank you so much. Love it Regards Jules
Hi Blake,
Man!! This is what I’ve been looking for for a long long time!! You hit it out of the Park! Oh, and just so you know, it works great on Fireworks!!
Thanks again for sharing this with us all!
Dennis
Excellent as are the other gradients. Combine with blend modes, blend if, dodge, burn, etc. Sweet! This and many other techniques plus workflow I learned from Blake!
Thanks for expanding our gradient awareness! It’s no doubt an underused option for people who use gradients. Maybe more people will start trying this one out instead of the radial…Thanks again!
Thank you so much Blake! This was an eye-opener, and your enthusiasm is incredibly contagious. I’m going back through my images to find ones to use the gradient on!
I’ve already applied the diamond gradient to a number of existing images and the difference is amazing. Great tip… thanks once again.