Experiment with High Saturation - Creative Tutorial

Image by bellkitsos

AU5

With high saturation, you can transform ordinary surroundings into mosaics of color and contrast. Rich, tonal hues define this look and color takes the center stage. Though reminiscent of glossy magazine spreads and 4x6 prints from your family album, achieving this look yourself can done with a few simple tricks. Check out these approaches you can use to experiment with high saturation.

High Saturation Presets

Image by thesolipsist

Image by greatsabri

AU5

AU5

Agfa Ultra 50 is known definitively for its intense color saturation. AU5 is perfect for experimenting with rich colors and warm tones, especially when reds and yellows are part of the composition. Though traditionally used with landscapes, this preset can help push the boundaries of others genres as well.

Image by amjordan

KE1

KE1
Kodak Ektar 100 is a favorite for creating saturated, color-filled images. It was designed to hold up in a variety of lighting conditions, even afternoon sun, but like most Kodak films, it has a warming effect perfect for evening and morning light. Its high saturation and bold contrast sets it apart and has helped it become one of our most popular Film X presets.

Image by daviddahlia
FR4

FR4
Fujifilm Provia 400X is great for high saturation without overwhelming warmth. Fujifilm is known for cooler tones, and FR4 is no exception. If you're looking deepen colors while maintaining a more natural look, try slightly underexposing with FR4 and you'll notice how blues and greens are especially targeted with this preset.

Saturation
Use this tool to quickly boost all of the colors in your image. Increasing the slider will enhance and deepen hues, especially in areas where color plays a dominant role.

HSL
The HSL tool gives you full control over individual colors in your image. This enables you to increase the saturation of specific areas, like a blue sky or a yellow car.

Contrast
Though not directly shifting color, increased contrast can help emphasize and intensify the colors by brightening mid-tones and darkening shadows. This can help areas of color pop out from their surroundings.

Capturing High Saturation

Image by jeffmercado13
AU5

High saturation images can start before you even hit the shutter. Always look out for bold colors that can enliven a composition — neons and bright reds are especially good at this. Finding the right light also helps — afternoon sun is often harsh and washes out color, instead, try shooting in the morning or evening when the sun is lower in the sky. Heading outside after some rain is also a great way to catch colors at their peak.

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