Photo editing can seem complicated, with endless techniques and software tools competing for your attention. Yet, at its core, successful editing comes down to mastering foundational skills that simplify your process and elevate your results.
Coming to you from Mark Denney, this straightforward video demonstrates a simplified photo editing workflow designed to help you consistently achieve better results in Lightroom. Denney starts by reorganizing Lightroom's Develop module to streamline the editing process. He emphasizes the importance of structuring your workflow logically, moving systematically from exposure adjustments to color tweaks, and finally to sharpening and cleanup. One practical tip from Denney is activating "Solo Mode," a feature that reduces clutter by automatically collapsing inactive panels. These initial setup steps not only save you time but also keep your editing precise and methodical.
Denney moves through balancing exposure, highlighting a common misconception: exposure isn't managed with a single slider but rather through a combination of adjustments including contrast, shadows, highlights, and white and black points. His approach involves straightforward strategies like double-clicking sliders while holding the shift key to see Lightroom's suggested settings—although he cautions against relying solely on these automated suggestions. Instead, he recommends using them as guides for your own judgment. Denney further enhances images using subtle adjustments to texture, clarity, and especially dehaze, advising moderation to avoid exaggerated colors or excessive contrast.
Beyond exposure, Denney provides insights into refining colors with tools like the calibration panel and color mixer, illustrating how minor tweaks can significantly alter the photo’s mood. He specifically targets color simplification, such as reducing saturation to focus viewers' attention. Denney also discusses the strategic use of cropping to emphasize the subject, particularly through vertical or 4x5 formats that isolate important features in the image.
One of Denney’s most impactful suggestions is employing local adjustments through Lightroom’s masking features. He demonstrates enhancing textures and clarity selectively to maintain softness in specific areas while sharpening focal points, creating visual emphasis precisely where it matters. This technique not only improves photo quality but also ensures edits remain subtle and professional.
Denney concludes his detailed editing demonstration by covering sharpening and cleanup techniques, showing practical solutions for removing distractions like sensor spots or minor imperfections. His systematic approach, from initial setup to final details, provides a comprehensive yet manageable framework, applicable to almost every editing scenario. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Denney.
