farvetoning

Farvetoning, or color toning, is a photographic technique in which a color cast is introduced to an image that is originally monochrome or in which the color balance is deliberately altered to achieve a specific mood. In analog photography, toning is a chemical process applied to silver-based prints that changes the image’s appearance by forming new colored compounds. Common historical tonings include sepia (warm brown), gold (yellow-golden), and selenium (reddish-brown to purple).

The purpose of toning in early practice was both aesthetic and archival: certain colors can enhance permanence and longevity, while also delivering a distinctive stylistic look. Sepia-toned photographs are often associated with the late 19th and early 20th centuries, whereas gold and selenium tones were widely used in portraits and documentary work.

In contemporary practice, farvetoning is frequently achieved digitally through color grading, selective color adjustments, and methods such as split toning, where shadows and highlights are assigned different hues. Digital tools offer precise control of hue, saturation, and luminance and can emulate traditional toning or create entirely new palettes.

Uses and impact: farvetoning is used to convey mood, period feel, or artistic intent. It influences perceived warmth, contrast, and depth, and is a common tool in both photography and film. Related concepts include sepia and selenium toning in traditional photography, and modern color grading and split toning in digital imaging.