How to Create a Dual Lighting Effect in Affinity Photo

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a dual lighting effect in Affinity Photo. Dual lighting is a popular photography effect that is often used with portraits. Usually, this look is achieved by using a colored gel which is a filter that goes on a light in order to change its color. This effect can be created in photo editing software without the use of colored gels.

Go to the following links to download the images for the tutorial:

• Woman
• Black & White Photo

Step 1

First, go to File > Open and select the picture of the woman.

Step 2

Second, press CTRL + J to duplicate the image, and turn the original image off.

Step 3

With the duplicated layers selected, go to the Toolbar and select Auto Levels. This is optional.

Step 4

In the Layers Panel, click the Add Pixel Layer to add a new layer.

Step 5

Now, grab the Gradient Tool from the Tools Panel. Turn the Snapping on in the Toolbar. Then, drag the gradient tool from left to right in the center of the image.

Step 6

Click the black color stop. Then, go to the Swatches Panel and double click the black color to bring up the Color Chooser. In the hex code section, enter the following color #2F30F4.

Step 7

Next, click the white color stop. In the hex code area, enter the following color #BC13FE.

Step 8

In the Layers Panel, set the Blend Mode of this pixel layer to Color. I lowered the Opacity to 90%. You don’t have to lower the opacity.

Step 9

Now, select the picture in the Layers Panel. Grab the Selection Brush Tool from the Tools Panel. In the Context Toolbar, make sure the Add Mode is selected and that Snap to Edges is checked. Take the brush and select the woman.

Step 10

Once you’ve selected the woman, go to the Layers Panel and click the Adjustments icon. Click the Levels Adjustment. Set the Black Level to 12%, the White Level to 95%, Gamma to 1.037. Then, go to the Output Black Level and set it to 3% and the Output White Level to 97%.

Step 11

After that, select the Level Adjustment layer that was added. Click the Mask Layer icon to add a mask to the levels adjustment.

Step 12

Grab the Paintbrush Tool from the Tools Panel. Click the mask layer we added in the Layers Panel. In the Swatches Panel, make sure the black color is active. Take the brush and go over the hair area to reveal the color.

We’ll now create the dual lighting effect on a black and white photo.

Step 1

Go to File > Open and select the black and white picture. Press CTRL + J to duplicate the picture.

Step 2

Next, go to the Layers Panel and click the Add Pixel Layer to add a new layer.

Step 3

Now, grab the Gradient Tool from the Tools Panel. Take the tool and drag it from the left of the picture to the right. Click the black color stop.

Step 4

Go to the Swatches Panel and double click the color to bring up the Color Chooser. In the hex code are, enter the following color #3DDE60.

Step 5

After that, select the white color stop and enter the following color#435EDF.

Step 6

In the Layers Panel, set the Blend Mode of this pixel layer to Color.

Step 7

Select the duplicated layer. Grab the Selection Brush Tool from the Tools Panel.

Step 8

Once you’ve selected the face, click the Adjustments icon in the Layers Panel. Select the Brightness and Contrast adjustment. Set the Brightness to -19% and the Contrast to -41%.

Congratulations, this tutorial is complete! You’ve created a dual lighting effect in Affinity Photo. For more tutorials on Affinity Photo, check out this tutorial on how to create a sin city effect.