How to edit moody portraits in Lightroom.
When I first started editing my photography portraits I felt the pressure to do everything in Photoshop because “that’s what professional photographers use to edit their photos.” But as I got older and wiser I realized Lightroom is a powerhouse when it comes to editing, and it’s NOT just for beginners! I do 99% of my editing in Lightroom now and leave the remaining 1% for Photoshop. Unless you’re doing some serious photo manipulation and retouching to your photos- Lightroom is easier, it’s faster, and it’s way better organized!
First off, how familiar are you with Lightroom and EVERYTHING it has to offer? I suggest literally moving every single slider around to see what it does. Play! Explore! Lightroom will not do anything to your original image so you’re free to experiment with editing without the worry of doing damage to your original portrait.
If you are using a camera I highly suggest shooting in RAW if your camera has the ability vs shooting in JPG. Why?
From Adobe: “RAW files are significantly bigger than JPEG (and any other) image file formats. That's because they contain all the raw image information captured by your digital camera's sensors, completely uncompressed. The main advantage of shooting in RAW is that you end up with high-quality files to edit into the best possible image.” “Capturing and storing all the details that pass through your camera’s sensors means RAW files contain a wider dynamic range and far greater color spectrum than JPEGs.”
So basically when you’re editing you will have more to play with.
Once you’re familiar with the different sections and can achieve a clean, polished photo next it’s time to really take control of your portraits and give them a story, a mood, something to make them pop- and we do that, simply put, through changing colors, lights, and darks.
Oh! I should also add in why I chose Lightroom vs a different editing software to begin with. I don’t normally care what anyone else is doing but when literally EVERY other PROFESSIONAL Photographer out there is using and has been using Adobe products since they came out, well, that speaks for itself. Can I also just say 13 years ago when I first started Photography I had to BUY both Photoshop and Lightroom. It probably set me back $400+ and I was stuck with that version.
Now you can get Lightroom AND Photoshop for $10 /month and you can upgrade to the newest versions and tools when they come out at no upgrade coast. Game changer for entering into the Photograph scene!
If you don’t currently have a subscription you can get BOTH Lightroom and Photoshop here: https://prf.hn/l/Rmpqx9J
(P.S.- If you’re wanting to sign up I ask that you please do it via THAT above affiliate link ^^. Adobe has been kind enough to partner with me and if you use my link, at NO extra cost to you, I get a little kick back for recommending them. This helps fund all the free content I provide on my blog!)
PLUS did you know Lightroom even has a FREE mobile app!? Yeah… 100% free and you can do damn near everything on it that you can do on the desktop version. So this blog isn’t JUST for photographers who use DSLR cameras, this is for the Phoneographers too!
OK! Let’s do this!
Here are 6 easy Lightroom editing tips
for beginners that willl take your portraits and give them a whole new mood!
First Editing Tip:
Start with a solid, clean straight out of camera image. Don’t look at editing as a tool to fix half ass shots.
Then think about what mood you are going for, envision it in your mind.
Lightroom Editing Tip 2:
Go warm. Think drinking whiskey and smoking a cigar on a leather couch. It’s a mood, right?
Try going orange in your color grading.
Lightroom Editing Tip 3:
Go cool. Think dark, dingy bar.
Try shifting your white balance, dropping those highlights, and clip those blacks in the tone curve.
Lightroom Editing Tip 4:
When in doubt try black and white. By not relying on color to make a statement you draw the viewer into the actual mood of the image.
Drop all your saturation and then experiment with shadows, highlights, and tone curve.
Lightroom Editing Tip 5:
Go DARK. Think creeping out of a dark alley.
Really darken up those shadows and overall exposure. Start playing with the tone curve to get more contrast.
Lightroom Editing Tip 6:
Even when the image is bright and the colors pop you can create a mood by adding in a funky color. Think standing under a neon sign on the Vegas Strip.
Try adding cool tones to your highlights in color grading.
Want in on secret tips I don’t share here? I also have a Photography and Business Course launching soon, want to know when it goes live?
Want more Information on the Lightroom and Photoshop Adobe Subscription?
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