Editing isn’t just about fixing mistakes; it’s an opportunity to add depth and character to your photos. With a few simple tools in Lightroom and Photoshop, you can create dramatic effects that bring your vision to life.
Coming to you from Glyn Dewis, this practical video walks you through subtle yet impactful editing techniques. Dewis starts with creating a fog effect in Lightroom, demonstrating how to use the masking panel with a linear gradient. By adjusting the "Dehaze" slider in reverse, he shows how to add a realistic fog to the horizon and foreground. This simple adjustment creates depth and atmosphere in the image, and the ability to control the gradient’s density adds flexibility.
Next, Dewis shares how to turn on streetlights in an image using radial gradients and exposure adjustments. The process involves creating a realistic glow and enhancing it with texture by adding grain. He also demonstrates how to apply light to nearby surfaces, such as a lamp post, by combining object masks and linear gradients. These steps create a believable interaction between the light source and the environment, adding realism to the scene.
The video also covers adding birds to a photo using screen grabs from video footage. Dewis imports the stills into Photoshop, uses the "Blend If" feature to isolate the birds, and resizes and positions them within the composition. By lowering the opacity, he blends the birds seamlessly into the scene. This method avoids complicated cutouts, making it quick and accessible. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Dewis.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan II - Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”
