Editing mistakes can lead to images that don’t look polished or professional. Editing is not just about pushing sliders around—it's about recognizing and correcting issues that might not be obvious at first glance. This video addresses some of the most common editing mistakes in Lightroom and how you can fix them.
Coming to you from Katelyn James, this informative video tackles some overlooked but significant issues that can impact your editing workflow. James identifies a key mistake many people make: lacking consistency in their editing patterns. Without established routines and a clear editing style, you can end up with edits that look vastly different each time you process an image. This inconsistency can lead to a disjointed portfolio where your work isn’t instantly recognizable.
Another common issue James highlights is improper handling of color tones, particularly when working with skin tones. She demonstrates how certain lighting conditions, such as shooting directly into the sun, can cause skin to appear unnaturally orange or overly warm. By using targeted masking techniques in Lightroom, she shows how you can desaturate specific areas like the face and hands without affecting the overall image. This small adjustment can make a huge difference, transforming an image that looks problematic into one that feels balanced and professional.
James also addresses the problem of images looking too heavy or dark after adding contrast. Many people tend to add contrast and then darken blacks without realizing they’re creating an overall heavier look. To counter this, she suggests first opening up shadows and lifting blacks before making contrast adjustments. This technique allows the image to maintain its depth and dimension while achieving that desired “pop” without looking overly processed. James advocates for foundational work on the image before adding finishing touches.
In the video, she discusses the challenges of dealing with color contamination, such as blue tints in hair or harsh red patches on skin. These often result from reflections or uneven lighting but can make an image look off. She recommends carefully identifying these problem areas and using local adjustments to remove unwanted color casts. These subtle changes help clean up the image without altering its natural feel. That's just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from James.
