Step 20 — Color Tones and Cinematic Look

Color grading creates the cinematic look that distinguishes professional imagery from amateur snapshots. Understanding color theory and how to specify color palettes in prompts gives you powerful creative control over AI-generated images. Color palettes establish visual identity. Warm earth tones creates natural, comfortable feelings. Cool monochromatic blues suggests technology or coldness. Vibrant saturated colors conveys energy. Muted pastel tones implies gentleness or nostalgia. Film industry color grading creates recognizable looks. Teal and orange color grade is popular in action films. Bleach bypass look creates desaturated, high-contrast images. Vintage film color adds warmth and grain. Color temperature communicates time and mood. Golden hour warm tones suggests sunrise or sunset. Blue hour cool tones indicates twilight. Harsh midday colors conveys intensity. Night time deep blues creates nocturnal atmosphere.