Classic Tones

Below is a collection of classic photographic tones often produced in the darkroom. You can copy the tones with Photoshop Curves, or download Actions that allow you to automate toning in a single click. Here's a larger version of the picture in a gallery frame.

Sepia #1	Sepia #2	Sepia #3
Selenium	Silver	Cyanotype
Platinum	Palladium	Silver Gelatin

To tone an image, first convert it to grayscale. You can use your favorite technique, or choose Image > Mode > Grayscale. Then convert back to RGB Color (Image > Mode > RGB Color). Then run the appropriate action to tone the image. If you're targeting a printer you may wish to introduce a white clip layer with the following curve to depress pure whites so they appear off-white giving the effect of toned paper stock.

Consider modifying Opacity, or the individual RGB curves, to suit your taste. For example, Palladium at 50% is especially nice. If the image needs more zing, add an S-shaped curve for a more dramatic high-contrast effect.