A photo can sometimes look flat or uninspiring, but with just a few tweaks, it can become vibrant and engaging. This video tutorial explores straightforward editing techniques in Lightroom Classic that can elevate your images without overwhelming them with heavy edits.
Coming to you from Gareth Evans with Park Cameras, this detailed video breaks down a series of steps to add contrast, adjust colors, and enhance light in your photos. The aim is to take a basic image—like a slightly dull shot of a robin—and turn it into something much more compelling. Evans focuses on using the HSL (Hue, Saturation, and Luminance) panel in Lightroom to adjust specific color channels, allowing you to pull back distracting colors while boosting those you want to stand out.
Evans begins by explaining how a simple adjustment to contrast, clarity, and vibrance can immediately impact a photo’s overall look. These changes help bring out details in the subject while maintaining a clean, natural feel. He emphasizes that using too much saturation can overwhelm an image, so it’s best to start with subtle tweaks. Then, he moves into the HSL panel, where most of the transformation happens. Reducing the saturation of greens and yellows in the background helps the robin stand out without making the image look artificial.
The video also demonstrates how masking techniques can refine light adjustments even further. Evans uses brush masks to brighten specific areas of the robin’s body, ensuring it remains well-lit against a now darker and more muted background. He applies a linear gradient to simulate sunlight coming from the right corner, adding a bit of dimension and warmth. He notes that these effects should be used sparingly—small, precise changes often yield the best results.
Another highlight is how Evans employs the radial gradient tool to control exposure around the robin’s eye. This technique draws attention to the bird’s face and ensures that the viewer’s focus stays on the subject. He layers multiple gradients and masks to create a nuanced lighting effect that guides the viewer’s eye across the image naturally. These edits help the robin pop out from the darker background without losing any of the rich details or textures of the feathers.
Evans also discusses when not to use these techniques, explaining that not every image benefits from these types of stylized edits. For example, in photos with already vivid and balanced colors, pulling back saturation or using heavy contrast adjustments could actually detract from the image’s quality. This is where experimentation comes into play. He encourages you to try these techniques but be mindful of when less is more. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Evans.
