Cinematic Teal and Orange Grading in GIMP

Achieving the cinematic teal-and-orange look is one of the most popular color grading techniques used in modern filmmaking and photography. This aesthetic relies on complementary color theory, pushing cool teal tones into the shadows and dark areas while warming highlights and skin tones with orange. In this guide, you will learn how to quickly create a professional teal-and-orange grade in GIMP using the Color Balance tool.

Step 1: Prepare Your Image Layer

  1. Open your image in GIMP by going to File > Open.
  2. Duplicate your original image layer by right-clicking it in the Layers panel and selecting Duplicate Layer (or press Ctrl + Shift + D / Cmd + Shift + D).
  3. Name this new layer "Color Grade." Working on a duplicate layer allows you to control the effect's intensity later using opacity.

Step 2: Open the Color Balance Tool

  1. Select the duplicate layer.
  2. Navigate to the top menu and click Colors > Color Balance.
  3. In the dialog box, ensure the Preserve luminosity box is checked so your brightness and exposure levels remain consistent during color shifts.

Step 3: Add Teal to the Shadows

  1. Under the Select Range to Adjust section, select Shadows.
  2. Adjust the sliders to introduce cool teal tones:
    • Drag the Cyan - Red slider toward Cyan (negative value, around -15 to -30).
    • Drag the Yellow - Blue slider toward Blue (positive value, around +10 to +25).
    • Keep the Magenta - Green slider at 0 unless you need to correct an unwanted tint.

Step 4: Add Orange to the Highlights

  1. Under Select Range to Adjust, switch to Highlights.
  2. Adjust the sliders to create warm, golden highlights:
    • Drag the Cyan - Red slider toward Red (positive value, around +15 to +30).
    • Drag the Yellow - Blue slider toward Yellow (negative value, around -15 to -30).
    • (Optional) Push the Magenta - Green slider slightly toward Magenta (+2 to +5) if your highlights look too greenish.

Step 5: Balance the Midtones

  1. Under Select Range to Adjust, select Midtones.
  2. Skin tones generally sit in the midtone range. Adjust these sliders carefully to keep subjects looking natural:
    • If skin tones look too cold, add a slight amount of Red (+3 to +8) and Yellow (-3 to -8).
    • If the entire image looks overly saturated or tinted, leave the midtones close to 0.
  3. Click OK to apply the Color Balance adjustments.

Step 6: Fine-Tune the Final Look

  • Adjust Intensity: If the color grade is too harsh, lower the Opacity slider of the "Color Grade" layer in the Layers panel to around 70%–85%.
  • Contrast Adjustment: Go to Colors > Curves or Colors > Levels to add a subtle S-curve, deepening blacks and making the color contrast pop.