---
title: Color Grade Landscape Photos in Lightroom: 5‑Step Workflow
siteUrl: https://logzly.com/pixelperfectpost
author: pixelperfectpost (Pixel Perfect Post)
date: 2026-07-06T02:02:16.768401
tags: [lightroom, colorgrading, landscapephotography]
url: https://logzly.com/pixelperfectpost/color-grade-landscape-photos-in-lightroom-5step-workflow
---


Tired of flat, lifeless landscape shots? Learn how to **[color grade landscape photos in Lightroom](/pixelperfectpost/color-grade-landscape-photos-in-lightroom-5step-workflow)** in just five simple steps—and grab a free preset to get instant results.

This guide strips away the guesswork and shows you exactly which sliders move the needle, so you can turn dull RAW files into vivid, cinematic landscapes in under five minutes.

## Step‑by‑Step Guide to Color Grade Landscape Photos in Lightroom

**1. Import & Basic Exposure** – Pull your RAW into Lightroom and head to the Basic panel. Set **Exposure** to **+0.15**, **Contrast** to **+10**, and pull the **Highlights** down a notch (**‑20**) to keep sky detail. Keep **Whites** at **+5** and **Blacks** at **‑10** for a balanced tonal range.

**2. Tone Curve** – Switch to the Tone Curve and create a subtle “S” shape. Click the lower‑mid point and drag it down a little for deeper shadows, then lift the upper‑mid point to brighten the mid‑tones. This gives the image a gentle pop without looking over‑processed.

**3. HSL/Color Panel** – This is where the magic happens for [how to color grade landscape photos in Lightroom](/pixelperfectpost/the-ultimate-photo-postprocessing-workflow-from-raw-to-readytopublish-in-15-minutes). Boost the **Hue** of the blues a touch toward teal (**‑5**) to give the sky a richer feel. Increase the **Saturation** of the greens by **+15** and shift the hue toward a warmer yellow (**‑10**) for more natural foliage. Reduce the **Luminance** of the reds a bit (**‑10**) to keep sunrise highlights from blowing out.

**4. Color Grading (formerly Split Toning)** – In the Color Grading panel, add a warm amber to the highlights (**Hue 45, Saturation 20**) and a cool teal to the shadows (**Hue 210, Saturation 15**). Keep the balance at **0** so both sides blend nicely. The result is a **cinematic contrast** that makes the sky pop while the foreground stays grounded.

**5. Apply the Free Preset** – I’ve packaged all those slider values into a free preset you can grab from **Pixel Perfect Post**. Just click “Create Preset”, name it “Landscape Boost”, and hit Save.

Next time you open a photo, just apply the preset and you’re already half‑way there. You can still fine‑tune the sliders to match the mood you’re after.

These are the **best Lightroom color grading settings for landscape photography** I’ve found after testing dozens of scenes. The numbers work well for sunrise, sunset, and even overcast days, but feel free to tweak them. The goal isn’t to lock you into a rigid recipe; it’s to give you a reliable launchpad so you spend less time guessing and more time enjoying the results.

If you follow this [photo post‑processing workflow](/pixelperfectpost/the-ultimate-photo-postprocessing-workflow-from-raw-to-readytopublish-in-15-minutes), you’ll notice that each photo goes from flat to vivid in under five minutes. The process is **repeatable**, so you can batch edit a whole series of shots from a single hike and keep a consistent look across your portfolio.

Bottom line: a quick color grade can turn a lifeless snap into a cinematic landscape that grabs attention. The five steps above are all you need to start seeing that transformation on your own images. Give the free preset from **Pixel Perfect Post** a spin on your next outing and see how fast you can get that movie‑like vibe.

If you liked this quick guide, consider subscribing to the Pixel Perfect Post newsletter for more easy‑to‑use tips. And feel free to share this post with a fellow photographer who’s stuck with flat photos—maybe they’ll finally get that pop they’ve been after.