Editing photos on mobile devices has come a long way, and it’s now possible to create professional-quality images without touching a desktop. Here's how to do it on an iPad.
Coming to you from Glyn Dewis, this practical video walks through a complete Lightroom mobile workflow for retouching a seascape. The process begins with tackling distractions, like a chain-link fence in the foreground, using Lightroom’s Generative AI feature. This tool seamlessly removes objects, rebuilds missing details, and gives you options to refine results. It’s a straightforward way to fix elements that detract from your image. Dewis also demonstrates how he levels the horizon using the crop and straighten tools, emphasizing why a balanced composition matters, especially in landscapes. Adjusting the placement of the horizon away from the center helps guide the viewer’s eye naturally through the scene.
Dewis explains how presets can be a powerful starting point but not the final step. Using his custom preset, he adjusts shadows and highlights to recover lost details and ensure the image would print well. By carefully monitoring the histogram, he avoids overly dark or bright areas that can flatten an image. These tweaks are essential for creating depth and contrast, particularly in complex scenes like seascapes with a wide range of tones.
The use of masks in Lightroom mobile is another highlight. Masks let you work on specific parts of the image without affecting the whole. For example, Dewis enhances contrast in the sea by selectively applying adjustments to certain areas. He also adjusts the sky using gradients and brushes, ensuring a seamless blend without disrupting other elements. While Lightroom Mobile lacks some advanced features available on desktop versions, such as intersecting masks, these workarounds demonstrate the flexibility of the app.
For finishing touches, Dewis uses lens blur creatively to mimic a tilt-shift effect, adding subtle focus to the central subject while softening other areas. He also creates a vignette using a radial gradient for controlled darkening around the edges, further drawing attention to the image’s focal point. These small enhancements make the final photo more polished and engaging. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Dewis.
