Movies often create a mood through a unique colour palette and colour grading. For example, Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City became a sensation on social media, thanks to its striking colour scheme that leaves a lasting impression on viewers.
This has inspired other creatives to adapt a similar colour scheme to their own images, allowing them to display everyday scenes in a different visual aesthetic.
What you'll be using:
Develop Persona
Exposure and Detail settings
HSL Shift Adjustment layer
Hue, Saturation and Luminosity Shift
Before and after
Before: A documentation
The image accurately portrays the scene with natural colours in a documentary style but it lacks the visually striking hues that make it unique and attention-grabbing (Image credit: Tabitha Mort)
Final: Distinctive look
As a result of the colour grading, the image has taken on a distinctive appearance with a colour palette that resembles a Wes Anderson film (Image credit: Tabitha Mort)
Editing steps
1. Adapt basic settings
(Image credit: Affinity Photo 2/ Future)
Start by adding a new layer to copy in a reference image from the movie. This makes it easier to compare and ensure the colours are accurate. Select the Background layer and open Develop Persona. Work on the Basics and decrease the contrast and highlights while increasing the shadows.
2. Increase saturation and details
(Image credit: Affinity Photo 2/ Future)
To achieve this iconic colour scheme, use the saturation slider to intensify the colours. As we decreased the contrast, open the Enhance section to restore lost details. Under the Detail refinement setting, choose a small radius and percentage amount to avoid over-sharpening.
After developing the image, add an HSL Shift Adjustment layer – you will find the specific colours under the wheel. First, adapt the hues. Decrease the Yellow and Red hues slightly, while increasing the Blue and Aqua hues. If you are unsure about the settings, open the reference image to use it as a guide
Use the Saturation Shift slider to adjust saturation, paying particular attention to the sky – a crucial element in Wes Anderson movies. Boost the Blue and Aqua tones, particularly Aqua. Decrease the Yellow and Red values until the overall colours match the desired theme.
5. Refine luminance
(Image credit: Affinity Photo 2/ Future)
As a final touch, adjust the Luminosity slider. Decrease the values for Aqua and Blue to enhance the depth of the sky. For greater depth, you can use the Dodge and Burn tools to create a subtle gradient. Compare the tones with your reference image and adjust the settings if necessary.
Key tip
Go beyond and build your style
This style allows for plenty of creativity and experimentation so feel free to push the boundaries and explore all the possibilities. Above all, have fun with the process, there is no such thing as ‘too much’ editing. This will also assist you in developing your own colour palette for future projects.
This article originally appeared in Digital Photographer, a monthly magazine, and the kitbag essential for pros, enthusiasts, and amateurs alike!
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Kim is the Technique Editor of Digital Photographer Magazine. She specializes in architecture, still life and product photography and has a Master's degree in Photography and Media with a distinction from the FH Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences in Germany. While studying, Kim came to the UK for an exchange term at the London College of Communication. She settled in the UK and began her career path by joining Future. Kim focuses on tutorials and creative techniques, and particularly enjoys interviewing inspiring photographers who concentrate on a range of fascinating subjects including women in photography, the climate crisis; the planet, its precious creatures and the environment.
