Photo grade software to color grade photos in a cinematic look

PhotoGrade How to Stylize Your Photos and Make Them Stand Out | Step-by-Step Tutorial

June 14, 20247 min read

How to Elevate Your Photo Editing Game with PhotoGrade: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking to take your photo editing to the next level? Today, we're diving deep into the powerful tool that can make your photos stand out—PhotoGrade. This point-and-click grading tool is designed to help you achieve eye-catching photos with ease. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting, PhotoGrade simplifies the color grading process with real-time LUT previews, making it easier and faster to create the perfect look.

Before we jump into the details, I’ve got something special for you—use the discount code "MAIK" to get 20% Off discount PhotoGrade App ► https://geni.us/PhotoGrade. This exclusive offer is a fantastic opportunity to upgrade your editing toolkit without breaking the bank. You can find the code and the link in the description below.

What is PhotoGrade?

PhotoGrade is a user-friendly application that allows you to color grade your photos effortlessly. Originally designed for filmmakers with Cinema Grade, this tool has been adapted for photographers, offering the same powerful features. It’s a versatile app that can be used as a standalone tool or integrated with popular software like Photoshop and Lightroom Classic.

Key Features of PhotoGrade:

  • Vector Scope Files: For precise color grading and ensuring accurate skin tones.

  • Color LUTs and Looks: Hundreds of options to stylize your photos with just a few clicks.

  • Real-Time LUT Previews: Instantly see how your changes affect the overall look of your photo.

If you’re new to color grading, don’t worry! PhotoGrade’s intuitive design is made to ease you into the process, whether you’re adjusting white balance or creating complex color looks.

PhotoGrade Pricing and Discounts

PhotoGrade offers three pricing tiers: Basic, Pro, and Studio. Each package is designed to suit different needs, but if you want to speed up your editing workflow, the Pro package is a solid choice. For the best value, consider the Studio version, which includes bonus film add-ons, 30 colorist presets, and access to a color grading academy.

Pricing Packages:

  1. Basic Package: Ideal for beginners or those with minimal editing needs.

  2. Pro Package: Perfect for those who want more advanced features.

  3. Studio Package: The ultimate package, offering comprehensive tools for professional photographers.

Here’s the good news: you can save 20% on any package using the discount code "MAIK" PhotoGrade Apphttps://geni.us/PhotoGrade. This offer makes the Studio version even more enticing, as it’s a one-time payment with no subscription fees. At just $159, you get lifetime access to a tool that will transform your photos.

Download and Install PhotoGrade

Once you've chosen your package and applied your discount, downloading and installing PhotoGrade is a breeze. It’s available for both Windows and Mac. After installation, you’ll need to activate the software using the provided code. If you’re using Photoshop or Lightroom Classic, the installation will also include plugins for these programs, making integration seamless.

Installation Steps:

  1. Purchase PhotoGrade and apply the discount code "MAIK". to get 20% OFF Photo Grade

  2. Download the software for Windows or Mac.

  3. Install the program and activate it using the code.

  4. Install the Lightroom and Photoshop plugins if needed.

Getting Started with PhotoGrade

Now that you have PhotoGrade installed, it’s time to familiarize yourself with the interface. Everything is laid out intuitively, from the adjustment sliders to the inspector panel. You can easily pin the inspector panel for quick access and manage your projects in a way similar to catalogs in Lightroom.

One of the questions I get most often is about file compatibility. PhotoGrade currently supports JPEGs, PNGs, and TIFFs. While it doesn’t directly support RAW files, you can easily export them as JPEGs or TIFFs from Lightroom or Photoshop and then import them into PhotoGrade for grading.

Pro Tip: Before diving into editing, make sure you’ve organized your photos into projects. This ensures a smoother workflow and prevents losing any edits.

The Power of PhotoGrade: Step-by-Step Guide

PhotoGrade simplifies the editing process by breaking it down into three main sections:

  1. Basic Correction: Adjust exposure, white balance, contrast, and saturation to get your photos looking just right.

  2. Batch Processing: Apply your corrections across multiple photos to ensure consistency.

  3. Final Grading: Stylize your photos with LUTs and looks to create the mood you want.

The real-time LUT preview is one of PhotoGrade's most powerful features. It allows you to see exactly how your edits will look before committing, saving you time and ensuring you get the desired outcome.

Basic Correction

Let’s start with the basics—correcting your photos. This involves adjusting exposure, white balance, contrast, and saturation. Here’s how you can do it in PhotoGrade:

  1. Exposure Adjustment: Click the exposure control icon or press ‘E’ to adjust. Dragging up increases exposure, while dragging down decreases it. Pay attention to the waveform and histogram to avoid overexposure.

  2. White Balance: Automatically adjust with ‘A’ or manually with ‘W’. This tool ensures your colors are true to life.

  3. Contrast and Saturation: Use the contrast tool (‘C’) and saturation tool (‘S’) to fine-tune the details.

Remember, keeping an eye on the scopes—waveform, vectorscope, and histogram—ensures your adjustments are balanced and accurate.

Batch Processing

Batch processing is a huge time-saver when working with multiple photos. Once you’ve corrected one photo, you can apply the same adjustments to an entire batch. This ensures consistency across your project, whether you're editing a wedding album or a series of landscape shots.

  1. Select Your Hero Photo: This is the photo you’ve already corrected.

  2. Apply Adjustments: Use the batch processing tool to apply these corrections to all selected photos.

  3. Fine-Tuning: If necessary, make individual tweaks to ensure each photo matches the overall look.

Final Grading

Final grading is where the magic happens. This step allows you to apply LUTs, adjust hues, and perfect the mood of your photos.

Using LUTs:

  • Open the LUT Gallery: Choose from a variety of looks.

  • Real-Time Preview: See how each LUT changes your photo instantly.

  • Adjust Intensity: Use the mix slider to balance the LUT with your original photo.

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, you can use the vector tool to manually adjust hues, saturation, and luminance for specific colors.

Pro Tip: Use the before-and-after comparison tool to see how much your photo has transformed. It’s a great way to ensure your final grade is just right.

Saving and Exporting Your Projects

After you’ve perfected your photos, saving and exporting them is straightforward. PhotoGrade allows you to save your projects in a way that’s compatible with Lightroom, so your edits are automatically updated without needing to re-import your photos.

For those working on larger projects, like wedding photo albums, the ability to gather and save all your project files in one place is a huge time-saver. You can also export your graded photos in various formats, including JPEG, TIFF, and PNG.

Saving Tips:

  • Save Projects Regularly: To avoid losing any progress.

  • Use Gathered Projects: For easy file management, especially with large photo collections.

Is PhotoGrade Worth It?

After using PhotoGrade extensively, I can confidently say it’s worth every penny, especially with the added bonus of the 20% discount using code "MAIK" PhotoGrade App ► https://geni.us/PhotoGrade

The tool is not only powerful but also user-friendly, making it a great addition to any photographer's toolkit. Whether you're looking to create dramatic film looks or simply enhance your everyday photos, PhotoGrade delivers.

So, what are you waiting for? Give PhotoGrade a try, and don’t forget to use the discount code "MAIK" to save some cash. If you’re as excited about this tool as I am, let me know in the comments below, and feel free to share your experiences. Happy editing!

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