Gradients vs Gradient Maps

The Gradient Course: f64.co/gradients
Every time I say or hear the term "Gradient Fill" I can't help but think of an old photography buff named Phil who comes around and spreads his knowledge. All his friends say, "Oh yeah, that Gradient Phil, what a guy!" Okay, that was a bad joke, I promise that the rest of this post and the following tutorial WILL be better.
A few weeks ago someone sent me an email asking me the difference between a Gradient Fill and a Gradient Map. They were struggling with the concept of the Gradient Map and didn't understand exactly what the gradient fill was doing. I figured that would be a great video tutorial because while they both involve the term Gradient, they couldn't be farther from each other.
In simple terms:
A Gradient Fill adds a directed wash of color. It can be directed in many ways, from a linear gradient to a radial gradient, to a reflected gradient. It is most useful as an adjustment layer and can be used in harmony with Blend Modes and Opacity for a killer look on your images. At anytime the gradient can be adjusted, it is pretty darn intuitive!
The Gradient Tool is like the paint bucket with a directed wash. It is best used with black to transparent and on masks because once you put it down on a layer it is difficult to adjust.
The Gradient Map is unlike its cousins, while they have the same name they come from a different bloodline so to speak. The Gradient Map actually maps out the tonal values in the image to the gradient that you decide. If you choose a black and white gradient, the darkest areas in your image will be black and the lightest areas will be white (Blake's favorite Black and White base). If you choose a red and orange gradient, your darkest portions of the image will be red and lightest portions will be orange.
If you are still confused, reference this tutorial and see how they all operate. While they may not be a staple in your workflow now, I am sure this tutorial will change your opinion on them, they are pretty darn powerful!

[@jessicacroll5774]

Awesome video! Super helpful. Thanks so much! I watch one video each morning to improve my technical skills. You are one of the most articulate teachers I've seen on YT.

[@huszarpeter7108]

Great tutorial! Thank you for sharing these tips and trick with us! I personally did almost 100% of my photo editing in Lightroom so far but now I am starting to discover how much I could improve my images further. Thanks again for the great advice.

[@babyprintz]

great tutorial. Very clear in distinguishing the difference between gradients and gradient map along with useful examples. Thanks for the recapping as well.

[@HikingPines]

Another fabulous tutorial with clear and concise explanations of everything that you are doing in the video! Keep up the great work!

[@f64Academy]

Will do! Thanks again!

[@JohnMutch]

Genius! This is exactly what I needed to know about this topic. Great presentation and delivery of information! Thanks for sharing

[@f64Academy]

Thanks, John! Glad to help 😀

[@dh7139]

Your videos are outstanding! Thanks so much for explaining this so well. One of the best photoshop video tutorial channels on you tube

[@f64Academy]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it 😁

[@slavkotov]

Very good and useful! Straight to the point, showed options and variations, gave food for thought. Very nice!

[@CreativeForcePro]

I like how you are thorough in every aspect whenever you explain.

[@f64Academy]

Thanks so much! I do put a lot of work into these so it's nice to see your level of appreciation. It means a lot!

[@fardeenfahim7958]

Quite literally one of the best explanations of gradient you gave here. Amazing!!!

[@f64Academy]

Thanks so much 😁

[@adylmouheidine4879]

How useful your tutorials are ! Thank you ever so much !

[@f64Academy]

You are welcome. Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@LudwigSormlind]

Really interesting stuff. I have never thought about using gradients for this stuff. But on the other hand, I hadn't thought about using blend if in sharpening until I saw your videos about it. Keep it up!!

[@f64Academy]

Yeah, Blend if Is awesome. Now think about these gradients + Blend If = Mind blowing effects :)

[@EyesSquared]

Another great no-nonse video Blake! Great explanation. Coincidentally I saw the other one about the diamond gradient first, so the intro of this one made me chuckle ;-)

[@f64Academy]

Haha, funny how time changes everything, lol

[@nycaxl]

You are my hero ! I've been searching the internet and KZbin for half an hour/1h for the difference between those, and there you are ! I am french, so I searched in french first, then english ! Your video is short (my favorite !) AND very pedagogue ! It makes perfect sense now, the gradient tool / fill tool reminds me of the gradient tool in Lightroom ! And since then, if anyone comes here starting today : the gradient fill doesn't work like that anymore, on Photoshop 2023. I found it via Layers - New fill layers - Gradient. Hope it helps !

[@larryanderson8880]

Great detail explanation - thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge. Very helpful!

[@f64Academy]

It's always my pleasure. Glad I could help.

[@CraigBoehman]

Great video, Blake. I think this may be an underrated video perhaps compared to your others (Blend ifs come to mind!) but the importance of these tools, and when to use them, is highly informative and you did a wonderful job of presenting. I think the gradient tools may be overlooked sometimes and this video serves as a reminder as to how powerful they can be to really change the look of one of your images dramatically with just a few clicks.

[@f64Academy]

I couldn't agree more 😁

[@ivanorokkhito9727]

Thank you very much. Now I can use this gradient map effectively. Thos is powerful trick for color grading. Almost everyday I watch your tutorials and learn something different. Regards.

[@jeangran3028]

This is a super helpful video. I’m just used learning to use gradients, and it really helped me to see the distinction between the gradient tool, the gradient adjustment layer, and the gradient map. I would also love to see this video updated to the latest version of Photoshop since there were some changes in 2023. Thanks as always for your fabulous education.

[@f64Academy]

Thanks, glad I could help. I have not updated this video and have no plans to on KZbin. I do have an entire course on gradients that is updated though. It includes both the gradient editor and the gradient tool in more detail, MUCH more detail. Here's a link to it: f64elite.com/beyond-color-yt/

[@victorchin_photoart]

Clear and concise tutorial. Very helpful, THANKS!

[@mohsinfareed1797]

Great tutorial. Thanks . Always your explain things in clear way .

[@eddierey5202]

Wow you truly are talented at this, great explanation, super helpful!

[@f64Academy]

Thanks, so much :)

[@richarddavis9810]

This is a very good tutorial. You explained the tools very well. Now to practice!

[@f64Academy]

:) I wish that made perfect! But it gets us close enough

[@bradphoto]

Rewatching old videos. This is a good one. I got a chuckle around 2:30 when you state diamond and reflected gradients are pretty much worthless (unless working with text) and that somebody on KZbin will try to prove you wrong ... that person is Future Blake (something like 3-4 years later)! I recently watched the outstanding "Transform any photo with the diamond gradient" and "The Amazing Reflected Gradient" videos. Just goes to show we are all always improving and finding new ways to utilize the powerful tools. Keep up the good work, Blake. :)

[@f64Academy]

Always improving 😁 pretty funny though, huh? 🤣🤣🤣

[@strandvejen739]

Congrats. Extremely clear and direct to the point !

[@f64Academy]

:)

[@johannasiegmann4198]

The using the gradient tool on a gradient layer just blew my mind

[@theadventureofdodong3495]

Thank you so much for this one. You have no idea how i frustrate to do this kind of effect on my project earlier. I have the idea on my mind how my project looks like, i just dont know how to do and you just help me on this tutorial. Godbless you my friend.❤

[@Dug43050]

Thanks! Thanks to you, I finally am getting my head around gradient everything.

[@f64Academy]

Thanks, I do appreciate it!

[@pbziegler]

Some time ago I was shown how to use the quick mask with gradient (or brush.) So I select the area to apply the gradient and then chose whatever adjustment I want (levels usually.). Then I can apply that adjustment to the gradient and modify it with brushes, blend if, and opacity sliders. Very fast and efficient way to add a gradient.

[@joseparcerisa4859]

Excellent my friend as usual

[@emilebaudot904]

Absolutely top-notch tutorial Blake...! Now I understand....👍🏻

[@f64Academy]

That's what I like to hear!

[@GPYCROFT]

Great explanation ! Can;t wait to try this out.

[@f64Academy]

Sweet! Enjoy!

[@bala1000mina]

Thank you so much Blake! Awesome information!

[@f64Academy]

Absolutely! It's my pleasure!

[@eugenepetersondesign7022]

Awesome tutorial -- completely demystifies gradients!

[@f64Academy]

😁

[@colinweir5807]

Fast forward to 2020 and you have changed your mind about diamond gradient. Still experimenting and learning.

[@f64Academy]

Yep! Lol! I love Photoshop!

[@dmonaghan99]

Hands down the best photoshop tutorials on youtube.

[@f64Academy]

:) thank you so much! you are too kind!

[@rupeshkarki3002]

I enjoy your videos and they are really interesting and easy to understand, this one is also really great tutorial and clear explanation of Gradient tool, fill and map and their usage. I would appreciate any highlight on Color Lookup and creating our own 3DLUT file. Thanks! for all your effort!! :)

[@f64Academy]

No problem! I already did a KZbin video on that very thing. You must own CC though, CS6 allows you to load LUT's but CC allows you to create your own and save them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGKZY5-dd7iBjKM

[@rupeshkarki3002]

Thanks for sharing this link!

[@vvmac1]

Excellent Tute, Blake! Thank you.

[@f64Academy]

My pleasure

[@AKappetein]

Very well explained!

[@DanThomas1161]

You just explained it to me beautifully. Thanks.

[@ReallyLuckyDog]

I prefer using the B/W Gradient Map adjustment layer to make B/W conversions. On occasion, I will add a B/W adjustment layer below the B/W Gradient Map set to luminosity to change the tones in the conversion. Thank you for all of your excellent tutorials.

[@f64Academy]

I am right there with you, my preferred method is Gradient Map set to Black and white with an HSL layer below it. So much control!

[@DanThomas1161]

'On occasion, I will add a B/W adjustment layer below the B/W Gradient Map set to luminosity'. Great tip there. Cheers.

[@GregWallis]

As usual, extremely helpful. Many thanks.

[@f64Academy]

It was my pleasure!

[@bobcarter4343]

Well done... thorough and concise.. perfect!

[@f64Academy]

My pleasure!

[@dcsev]

This is excellent. Thank you!

[@yourenotallowed7494]

I Learned lot from this. Tank you so much

[@lauriewahlig2819]

This was an amazing explanation!!! Thank you!!!!

[@f64Academy]

Very cool, so glad you liked it.

[@mellifluous479]

Concise relevant. Just the facts. Thank you.

[@f64Academy]

My pleasure!

[@romanfedus685]

Great tutorial, extremely helpful. Thanks

[@f64Academy]

My pleasure!

[@atlas_kane]

Nailed it. Thanks for this!

[@f64Academy]

My pleasure. 😁

[@myinternetzoo]

Well done!

[@bidhayakmajumdar427]

Learnt a lot on gradient from this video .. thank u very much.

[@mayasierra5850]

Thanks for the video!! this is super helpful

[@MariaMunoz-rz1nz]

Thanks so much! I always had them confused!

[@HebrewMadeEasy]

very professional video man thank u!

[@f64Academy]

Thank you! My pleasure!

[@andrewn7329]

Thanks, very easy to understand.

[@massimociarafoni9339]

Very good as usual :) Thank you.

[@f64Academy]

No thank you! Appreciate you stopping by.

[@jimgill6538]

Good stuff Blake!

[@f64Academy]

Thanks, Jim!

[@kenmorris2858]

Great tutorial...

[@cliffordsalmon322]

Thus explanation of gradient tool, adjustment, and map is infinitely fantastic. I understand gradients much better.

[@f64Academy]

Awesome! Thanks so much :)

[@milindkhadase6285]

Thanks to upload this tutorial.. its very helpful for me :)

[@f64Academy]

Awesome! Glad I could help!

[@erfut]

Thanks mate, that was great

[@f64Academy]

Awesome! Thanks for watching :)

[@McQueenPaul]

That was a very useful video, thanks.

[@f64Academy]

Awesome! Thanks for watching :)

[@aaz148a]

You are something else!

[@f64Academy]

Some people think I am an alien... haha, I just experiment A LOT (in super all caps)

[@metarun]

Thank you, Blake.

[@f64Academy]

No problem!

[@dragonjohn34]

Thank you

[@Vamp7814]

Very helpful thank you

[@f64Academy]

My pleasure!

[@PieterHanja]

Thank you!!

[@f64Academy]

No problem!

[@user-uy9lc2kk9j]

A very nice lesson.. I want you to explain how to harmonize colors in a design that has more than one layer

[@ngodinhhoang]

Thank you!

[@f64Academy]

Sure thing! Glad you liked it!

[@moslemseyedzade2868]

Awesome video. Tnx 😊

[@f64Academy]

My pleasure 😁

[@shanc1858]

Great coach for the gradients! I got a question in my photoshop for the gradient map- when I edit the gradient map and try to change the color and opacity, i realised the opacity boxes(normally on the top the color boxes) are gone?? this only happen to the gradient map?? wondering if you know what happened? thanks a lot in advance!

[@nikitinse]

Great. But how to use Gradient Fill layer as a mask, for example, for Cureves adj. layer?

[@tahaali2199]

thanks a lot, brother it helps a lot.

[@f64Academy]

Sweeeet!

[@butchpouka]

thank you so much 😊

[@f64Academy]

You are welcome!

[@rpmyoutb]

Thanks!

[@f64Academy]

No problem!

[@duncangibson5631]

Your tuts give my imagination help thank you

[@f64Academy]

SWEEET :)

[@rafio001]

You r the best

[@f64Academy]

Thanks!

[@ashleygarvin7177]

2017: "Diamond Gradient is worthless unless you are working with text" 2020: "Diamond Gradient is my favourite Gradient for landscape photography"

[@f64Academy]

Things change as you grow.

[@passerbylau4979]

Hello, may I ask how to tidy the new gradient in gradient map? Example: I create a new gradient and it's default at bottom, I wanna move this gradient to middle.

[@SkorpionYassine]

Please make more videos abour photoshop this is amazing

[@rogerwilkoson]

Now I have my toolbar set up the way I wanted it too.

[@f64Academy]

Awesome, glad I could help!

[@SkSafowan]

Thanks

[@f64Academy]

My pleasure!

[@EDDIEGARAGE]

Genious

[@f64Academy]

Thanks 😁

[@jeffersonmejia4378]

Hi Sir Good day, May I ask the links of your courses in photoshop regarding all the tools like, blend mode, adjustment layer, brush, Filters etc... I want to have a strong foundation and I think you can help me Thank you.

[@robynaldridge8304]

Take a look at the F64 website. I am in the middle of doing the Zone 6 course and I'm blown away. Blake has a way of explaining things that no-one else has come close to. Click on his link above and you'll find a lot more of interest to you.

[@emmachapman2109]

Thanks so much for this helpful tutorial! Quick question, does the gradient map have the "radial" version like the one in gradient tool? I can't seem to find it for some reason so just wondering if it even exists. Thank you!

[@f64Academy]

No, a gradient map will only map the tones. It looks at tonal data only and cannot be a radial effect unless you use a mask.

[@kyle_medina]

I like how you can move the gradient when using the "Fill" option. Wish you could use that as a mask for combing images. Being able to just move it, instead of having to draw the gradient over and over to get your blend right. Any idea? (sorry sounds confusing)

[@f64Academy]

I know what you mean. You can move masks if you unlink them they can move around just like a layer. Be sure to link them again if you move the layers around though.

[@kyle_medina]

Hmm well that was pretty easy, thanks. New to the channel and your delivery is spot on!

[@Maebooncuisine456]

Thank you so much that very useful but I did not have a lot of colors like yours just only 16 colors only how can I get more colors like yours ?

[@f64Academy]

You need to make more or import them from the gradient editor.

[@carolbell4550]

Finally.... Thankyou. I had no idea what to use and why. Am trying to learn PS after years of using LR. I did watch a video ( and sadly did not book mark it... so cannot find it) using channels and Gradients for landscapes.... Black and white. Would it be worthwhile you doing a tutorial on it????? I also live in South Africa and I cannot afford to pay dollars with the exchange rate with what it is at the moment.

[@f64Academy]

I have a tutorial on Black and White using Gradient Maps kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4S2Yn-LaN6Hers

[@carolbell4550]

Thankyou so much. I will look and bookmark it now. Have watched a couple more of your tutorials and love them. Trouble is when I try them on my work they dont look so nice. I also have not downloaded anything from you as feel I must learn to make my own gradients...... rightly or wrongly.......

[@gregwoolliscroft6255]

GREAT tutorial...except the problem I am having, when I click to get gradiant fill, I get no colours in thumbnails like all the tutorials I am seeing....I followed intently but a lot of what you did doesn't work...My image didn't turn to black and white when I pressed D..

[@f64Academy]

So that's because ps put all gradients into folders. It's a pain, you have to navigate those folders now, or move all the gradients out of the folders.

[@JerryMungo]

I still don’t understand why I would use a gradient map or a gradient on my photos. Could you show us some examples on the practical use of these tools?

[@f64Academy]

I have a whole course on the use of gradients and several videos on my KZbin page that show that. Click on my channel and search for the weird gradient in my video library, you'll find what you need there.

[@janardhanshimpi6094]

nice

[@f64Academy]

:)

[@gordroberts53]

Thanks Blake, now I am a gradient graduate...

[@f64Academy]

Ha! Love the play on words :)

[@E-D-J]

LOL@YOU SAYIN' THAT YOU'RE PRETTY SURE THAT SOMEBODY ON KZbin IS gOIN' TO DISAgREE. KEEP UP THE gOODWORK.

[@f64Academy]

haha! You know, no matter what there is ALWAYS someone that happens to ruin a FREE video :)

[@donmooney7159]

Its starting to sink in. meaning I got to go practice this. P.S...Like the comment about somebody proving you wrong on the diamond gradient.

[@f64Academy]

Not proving wrong, it's called growth. Years later I found a use for it. So be it.

[@donmooney7159]

@@f64Academy We're glad you did.

[@GohOnLeeds]

"reflected gradient almost worthless..." hmm

[@f64Academy]

yep! Times change this was 5 years ago. I use it all the time now...