This is my first attempt at trying color gradients and im wondering if they add a little something or are they a gaudy approach to editing. I'm sure with the right shot and for the right reason they could be applied to greatly increase the mood or feel of shot.
But does it work well with landscape photography?
The first is the fairly natural shot the second is using a soft light color gradient.
Adding color gradients...yes or no
I'm a fan of color gradients. I think this looks great. It gives it a tinge of mythical without being over the top.
Is this a version of what's also called split toning, where shadows and highlights can be tweaked with different hues, Joseph?
The second image looks a bit odd (but not OTT) to me.
The first suffers a little from a natural effect that's hard to eradicate: for me, brown rocks in the pool at the base of a waterfall sometimes create an effect like a meat stew with gravy - very tasty, but at odds with rippling, fresh, cold, clear water.
Hahaha!!!! Meat stew!! and yes you are somewhat in the same ballpark with split toning you are only using 2 options the highlights and the shadows. In color grading you are able to use multiple colors throughout the entire greyscale. At least that's what i have understood from my studies on youtube. Could also be wet dog food.