• Home
  • Start
  • Grow
  • Articles
  • Products
  • Deals
  • Freebies
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • RSS

Photography Spark

Business Education for Photographers

3 Steps for a Clean Edit in Lightroom

Last updated on August 11, 2016 By Zach Prez

3 Steps for a Clean Edit in LightroomMatt Le
There is nothing more classic and simple than a clean edit. Starting with a RAW image straight out of the camera gives you the perfect clean base to begin. Achieving a clean edit in Lightroom is easy if you follow these 3 simple steps.

1. Set Your White Balance

Accurate white balance is the key to a really clean edit. Ensuring that your colors are accurately represented will help the photo look bright and true to life.

In Lightroom, the easiest way to set your white balance is with the dropper tool. You’ll find it at the top section of the Basic Panel.

Click on the dropper to activate it and then find a gray neutral area to click on with the dropper. White clothing, black clothing, asphalt or cement, snow, or even the whites of the eyes can be a neutral area to get a good starting white balance.

White Balance Eye Dropper Tool in Lightroom

As you hover the dropper over areas of your image, you will see a preview of what the white balance will look like if you click there.

However, do be aware that not every neutral area you choose will show a perfect white balance. Use this preview to adjust where to click so that you can get the best starting white balance for your image.

Once you have a good start, you can use the Temp and Tint sliders to make smaller adjustments to the white balance.

The more experience you gain in adjusting your white balance, the easier it will be for you to adjust your white balance without using the dropper. You will begin to see when your image is too yellow, blue, green, or red.

Red-headed girl playing the violin in the street

2. Adjust the Exposure

Ensuring that your exposure is correct will give the perfect brightness to your image. This especially applies to skin tones.

If the skin is in shadow at all, you will need to make targeted adjustments to the skin using the Adjustment Brush or Radial Filters.

Adjusting Exposure in Lightroom

Adjusting the exposure is as simple as moving the Exposure slider in the Basic Panel to the right or left as needed.

3. Add Contrast

Most every RAW image will need a little bump to the contrast. JPEGs will need a little less. You can increase the contrast by moving the Contrast slider located just below the Exposure slider in the Basic Panel just a little to the right. You can also increase the contrast by decreasing the blacks slider a bit.

Using the Tone Curve to add contrast in Lightroom

Another option for increasing the contrast is to use one of the preset settings in the Tone Curve Panel.

Next to the words Point Curve you will see the word “Linear”. Click on it and try choosing “Medium Contrast” to see an immediate contrast bump.

Before and after image

These 3 steps will have your images looking their very best with a clean and classic edit in just a few minutes!

For more Lightroom tips or to find Lightroom Presets that make editing even easier, check out www.lightroompresets.com. If you’re a Photoshop user, be sure to check out the photoshop actions and tutorials at Pretty Actions.

Avatar

About Zach Prez

Zach Prez has helped hundreds of businesses with marketing in the past 15 years. He's a husband and father of three, ninja at Ms Pac Man, and loves books on mountaineering.

Guides

Click to learn more:

SEO Cookbook for Photographers

Business Planning Cookbook

Perfect Facebook Ads

How to Start a Photography Business

Popular Posts

  • How to Start a Photography Business/How to Start a Photography Business/

    Get seven detailed steps to start a photography business from business plan to building a client list. CEOs around the world would be proud.

  • Effective Marketing that Gets you ClientsEffective Marketing that Gets you Clients

    Smart marketing techniques for your photography business to get new clients and increase sales.

  • Legal OverviewLegal Overview

    This is a knock-your-socks-off overview of legal forms, contracts, copyright considerations, and photo rights needed to protect your photography business. Like having a lawyer in your pocket, only more comfortable.

  • Top Photography Contest WebsitesTop Photography Contest Websites

    See 10 great places to submit your photography for a chance at winning.

  • Mounting and Framing PhotosMounting and Framing Photos

    Learn mounting and framing techniques including sizing and cost considerations.

Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

PhotographySpark also participates in affiliate programs with ShareASale, CJ, SiteGround, and other sites. PhotographySpark is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. See our Privacy Policy and Website Terms and Conditions

  • Home
  • Start
  • Grow
  • Articles
  • Products
  • Deals
  • Freebies
  • Contact

Copyright © 2021 ยท PhotographySpark is owned and operated by Flatiron Software Partners LLC, a MA limited liability company. Privacy Policy