Turning a simple photo into something visually striking often involves a careful balance of color and contrast. Mastering these subtle yet impactful adjustments can help you create images that stand out.
Coming to you from Gareth Evans with Park Cameras, this practical video provides a clear demonstration of how to apply rich, dark blue tones to an image using Lightroom Classic. Evans begins by addressing global edits, quickly enhancing overall exposure to reveal hidden details without overdoing it. By tweaking contrast, whites, blacks, and clarity, he swiftly transforms an initially flat image into one that already pops with stronger textures and depth. These foundational adjustments set the stage for the more intricate edits that follow.
The next steps emphasize Lightroom's powerful masking tools, which Evans explains thoroughly. He demonstrates how to isolate your subject from the background efficiently, fine-tuning masks manually to ensure precision—particularly useful if the auto-masking doesn't get it perfect the first time. By subtracting unnecessary areas, he achieves cleaner separations, allowing him to apply targeted edits with precision. You see clearly how these adjustments alter the mood significantly, especially when Evans cools the white balance of the background to give a distinctively moody atmosphere.
Evans also introduces additional masking techniques, such as linear and radial gradients, to guide the viewer's attention strategically through the photo. By darkening edges and simulating a natural vignette, he effectively directs the eye toward the brighter, more dynamic parts of the image. He cleverly enhances visual interest by introducing subtle gradients from above, replicating sunlight that adds depth without overpowering the cool tones.
The process becomes even more refined with adjustments to highlights, shadows, and tone curves. This step-by-step approach, focusing on localized edits and careful color management, demonstrates how nuanced changes can dramatically influence the overall impact of your photography. Evans consistently advises restraint and balance, ensuring the edits support rather than overshadow the subject.
While the core of this video is practical technique, Evans makes a point about personal preference in style. Not every photo needs heavy editing; some benefit from minimal intervention. But if you're looking to explore moodier aesthetics—particularly suited to subjects captured in colder or more dynamic environments—then the methods he showcases could be exactly what your workflow needs. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Evans.
