Creating localized split tones

As the Color Balance tool can be used to make localized adjustments, it is ideal to tone highlights, mid-tones, and shadows when working in monochrome conversions. Note that the highlight, mid-tone, and shadow color wheels can be used for producing split-toned images. When adjusting the Master color wheel in a monochrome conversion, the color balance adjustment is in-effect applied before conversion.

When adjustments have already been made (i.e., prior to mono conversion), it is advisable to make a clone of your color image first (Ctrl/right-click -> Clone Variant) and optimize the Levels and Curves adjustment after the conversion.

1. Select an image in the Browser.
   
   
2. Create a clone by pressing Ctrl/right-click -> Clone Variant if needed.
   
   
3. Go to the Black and White tool and put a checkmark the Enable Black & White option. The color image will be converted to monochrome.
   
   
   
   
4. Make adjustments in the Levels tool and the Curve tool for the conversion if needed.
   
   
5. Create an adjustment layer using the Layers tool. For example, select the Gradient mask (G) and apply it to the area on the image for further adjustment.
   
   
6. With the layer selected, go to the Color Balance tool and adjust the highlight, mid-tone, and shadow wheels as required. The mono image will be updated with the adjusted color-tones.
   
   

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