How to Create an Awsome Gold Effect in Photoshop

In today’s tutorial, I’ll teach how to change the color of any object into a gold color.

We’ll apply an awesome Gold Effect using Photoshop 2022 just by using adjustment layers.

Let’s dive into it.

For this tutorial, I chose the Nike KD Trey 5 IV Crimson but you can choose any image you want to create that gold effect in Photoshop.

Click here if you want to use the same image as me and follow along.

Gold Effect
Original Image

Here is the final result.

Gold Effect
Final Result

How to Create an Awsome Gold Effect in Photoshop

Step 1: Create a New Document

Just copy the settings from the image below and don’t forget to set the background color to black.

Gold Effect
Document Settings

Next, import your image and place it the way you like by using the Transform Tool (Ctrl + T).

Gold Effect
Place the Shoe

Step 2: Let’s Create the Gold Effect

First, duplicate your layer. Select the layer and press Ctrl + J.

Then, select that new layer and go to Image > Adjustment > Black & White.

Gold Effect
Black & White

Next, duplicate the Black & White Layer by pressing Ctrl + J.

Then go to Image > Adjustment > Invert.

Gold Effect
Image > Adjustment > Invert
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Your layers so far
Gold Effect
So far your image should look like that

Then, select the top layer and change the blending mode to Difference.

Blending Mode Loaction
Blending Mode Location
Change the Blending Mode to Difference
Change the Blending Mode to Difference

We’ll now merge the top layer with the one below. Right-click on the top layer and choose to Merge Down.

Merge Down
Merge Down

Once the top layer is merged down duplicate it by pressing Ctrl +J.

Go to Image > Adjustment > Invert one more time and change the blending mode of the top layer to Difference once again. To finish, right-click on the layer and select Merge Down again.

Your shoe should now be looking like this:

Gold Effect

To finish our design we’ll add a few r adjustment layers to get that Gold Color.

Select the top layer and choose Color Balance. Clip your Color Balance layer by pressing Ctrl + Alt + G so it only affects the shoe and not the background.

Color Balance
Clip Color Balance
Clip Color Balance

Now copy the settings for the Midtones, Shadows, and Highlights.

Midtones
Midtones
Shadows
Shadows
Highlights
Highlights

We’ll now add a Level Adjustment Layer and clip it to the layer below by pressing Ctrl + Alt + G.

Then, copy my Levels Settings.

Levels
Levels
Levels settings
Levels Settings

Let’s add our last adjustment layer. The Vibrance Adjustment Layer and boost it to the maximum. Don’t forget to clip it like the previous ones.

After that, copy my Vibrance settings.

Vibrance
Vibrance
Vibrance Settings
Vibrance Settings

This is the final result. I just added a golden drop shadow but this is entirely up to you. Use your imagination to create something that is yours and unique.

And we are done!

Final Result
Final Result

After following this tutorial, you should be able to create an awesome Gold Effect in Photoshop. I hope you found this guide useful and easy to follow. If you have any questions or suggestions please let me know in the comments down below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.