I have used Adobe Lightroom for a few years now and have adjusted my editing process (or work flow) as I learn more of the features of the program. I initially used Lightroom much like I used Adobe Photoshop in the past: automated adjustments that were applied to each photo in a batch, but which had a very minimal effect on the final look of photo. Generally, however (poorly) the photo may have been captured, that was the final product.
But recently, I have begun to explore the power of Lightroom and the relative ease with which one can process an entire batch of photos very quickly. I still rely on some automated scripts for minor adjustments, but with all of the tools available, I can also focus on each photo in a particular batch. I mostly focus on the colors in the shot and ensure that what I witnessed is actually represented in the photo.
I recently edited some of my older photos to compare the result of my older work flow to the one that I try to employ now. The "old" photos are more gray and flat, while the "new" photos tend to pop out at the viewer. I think that the range of color is also more representative of what I actually saw. This is particularly evident in the photos from the Grand Canyon - the different colored layers in the canyon are much more apparent with the new editing techniques.
Overall, I think this new style of editing better represents the natural beauty that I witnessed. I believe it is a more accurate portrayal, in every sense of the phrase, as to what is really out there.
These first examples are from a hike in the coastal range off Skyline Blvd. that I took with my dad in March 2004.
But recently, I have begun to explore the power of Lightroom and the relative ease with which one can process an entire batch of photos very quickly. I still rely on some automated scripts for minor adjustments, but with all of the tools available, I can also focus on each photo in a particular batch. I mostly focus on the colors in the shot and ensure that what I witnessed is actually represented in the photo.
I recently edited some of my older photos to compare the result of my older work flow to the one that I try to employ now. The "old" photos are more gray and flat, while the "new" photos tend to pop out at the viewer. I think that the range of color is also more representative of what I actually saw. This is particularly evident in the photos from the Grand Canyon - the different colored layers in the canyon are much more apparent with the new editing techniques.
Overall, I think this new style of editing better represents the natural beauty that I witnessed. I believe it is a more accurate portrayal, in every sense of the phrase, as to what is really out there.
These first examples are from a hike in the coastal range off Skyline Blvd. that I took with my dad in March 2004.
old editing style | new editing style |
These next examples are from a trip that I took with my brother to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in December 2005.
old editing style | new editing style |
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