How do I use the Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint in Lumetri Color?

March 8, 2026 · caitlin

Lumetri Color in Adobe Premiere Pro offers powerful tools for color grading. The Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint controls within the Basic Correction panel allow you to precisely adjust the color cast of the darkest and brightest areas of your image, respectively. Mastering these tools can significantly enhance the mood and visual appeal of your video footage.

Understanding Lumetri Color’s Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint

The Lumetri Color panel is your go-to for all things color grading in Premiere Pro. Within its comprehensive suite of tools, the Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint offer nuanced control over specific tonal ranges. These are not to be confused with the overall tint slider, which affects the entire image.

What Exactly Are Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint?

In essence, Shadow Tint allows you to introduce a specific color into the darkest parts of your image. Conversely, Highlight Tint lets you add color to the brightest areas. Think of it as selectively painting color into the shadows and the bright spots of your video.

This is crucial for creating specific looks. For example, adding a cool blue to the shadows can evoke a sense of night or a somber mood. A warm yellow or orange in the highlights might suggest a sunny day or a romantic atmosphere.

How They Differ from Other Color Controls

It’s important to distinguish these from other Lumetri controls. The Tint slider in the Basic Correction panel applies a color cast to the entire image, affecting both shadows and highlights uniformly. The White Balance controls (Temperature and Tint) aim to neutralize color casts and achieve accurate colors.

Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint, however, are for creative manipulation. They allow you to push the color in specific directions without affecting the mid-tones as dramatically. This targeted approach gives you much finer control over the final aesthetic.

Practical Applications of Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint

These tools are incredibly versatile for filmmakers and video editors. They can be used for everything from subtle enhancements to dramatic stylistic choices. Here are a few ways you can leverage them:

Enhancing Mood and Atmosphere

Want to make a scene feel colder? Add a subtle blue shadow tint. Aiming for a warm, golden hour feel? Introduce a gentle yellow highlight tint. These adjustments can profoundly impact how viewers perceive the emotional tone of your video.

For instance, a horror film might use deep blues and greens in the shadows to create a sense of unease. A travel vlog showcasing a beach scene could benefit from warm, golden highlight tints to emphasize the sunlight.

Correcting Color Casts Creatively

Sometimes, even after white balancing, a slight color cast might remain in specific areas. While not a primary correction tool, you can sometimes use these tints to subtly counteract unwanted casts. However, it’s generally better to address major color issues with white balance or color wheels.

Achieving Specific Cinematic Looks

Many cinematic styles rely on distinct color palettes. Film noir, for example, often features deep, dark shadows with specific color undertones. Modern blockbusters might employ stylized color grading with pronounced shadow and highlight colors.

Consider a sci-fi film set on an alien planet. You might use unnatural hues in both the shadows and highlights to create an otherworldly feel. This is where creative use of Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint truly shines.

How to Use Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint in Lumetri Color

Using these controls is straightforward within the Lumetri Color panel. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Open the Lumetri Color Panel: In Premiere Pro, navigate to Window > Lumetri Color.
Locate Basic Correction: Expand the Basic Correction section.
Find Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint: You’ll see sliders with color pickers next to them.
Select Your Color: Click on the color swatch next to "Shadow Tint" or "Highlight Tint." A color picker window will appear.
Choose a Hue and Saturation: Select the desired color. You can also adjust the saturation of the tint.
Adjust the Intensity: Use the slider next to the color swatch to control how strong the tint is. A value of 0 means no tint, while higher values increase its intensity.

Tip: Start with very subtle adjustments. It’s easier to add more color than to remove too much. Always compare your graded footage to the original to ensure you’re enhancing, not detracting.

Using the Color Picker Effectively

The color picker provides a visual way to select your tint. You can drag the cursor within the color spectrum to find the exact hue you want. The saturation slider controls the intensity of the chosen color.

For Shadows: Think about colors that evoke darkness or depth. Blues, purples, and deep greens are common choices.
For Highlights: Consider colors that suggest light or warmth. Yellows, oranges, and even subtle reds can work well.

Balancing with Other Lumetri Tools

These tints work best when integrated with other Lumetri controls. After applying your desired tints, you might need to adjust:

Exposure: To ensure overall brightness is correct.
Contrast: To define the separation between light and dark.
White Balance: To correct any underlying color issues.
Curves: For more precise control over tonal ranges.

Examples of Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint in Action

Let’s look at a couple of hypothetical scenarios:

Scenario 1: Creating a Moody Night Scene

Imagine you have footage shot during the day that you want to appear as night.

Shadow Tint: Apply a deep, desaturated blue shadow tint. This will make the darker areas of the image feel colder and more like nighttime.
Highlight Tint: You might add a very subtle, almost imperceptible cyan highlight tint to the brightest areas, like streetlights or the moon, to give them an artificial, cool glow.
Other Adjustments: Lower the exposure, increase contrast, and perhaps desaturate the image overall.

Scenario 2: Enhancing a Sunset

For footage of a sunset, you want to amplify the natural warmth.

Shadow Tint: A very subtle, warm purple shadow tint can add depth and prevent the shadows from looking muddy.
Highlight Tint: Apply a rich orange or golden highlight tint to the brightest parts of the sky and any reflective surfaces. This will make the sunset feel more vibrant and intense.
Other Adjustments: Slightly increase exposure, adjust contrast, and ensure saturation is balanced.