This is a quickie but it shows that a little AI can go a long way.
Above: This is the raw image from the camera. If you’d like to follow along, here is a link for the Raw image:
STEP 1: If the image is a bit crooked then go to the Transform Panel (called Geometry in the cloud version Lightroom) and click on Auto under “Unright” (as shown here). You’ll get better results with Upright if first you apply a Lens profile in the Lens Correction Panel (called the Optics panel in LR Cloud). However, since this photo was taken using a mirrorless digital camera, the lens profile is automatically assigned.
STEP 2: For a better start, I choose the Adobe Landscape Raw profile in the Profile menu (shown here) at the top Basic panel.
STEP THREEE: Click the “Auto” button in the Tone section at the top-right corner. It will analyze the photo, tone the image and give you a good starting point.
STEP 4: While the foreground is fine, the sky looks a little washed-out. When the Add New Mask Panel appears, click the Sky button to select only the sky. The sky will be tinted red so that you can see the mask.
STEP FIVE : Once the sky has been selected, I lower the Exposure to make it look better. (b) Increase Contrast, so that dark areas of the sky become darker, and brighter parts appear brighter. (c) I also increase the amount of Whites, so that the clouds do not look gray because the exposure was lowered so drastically.
STEP SEVEN: To finish, I raise the Texture in order to bring out more detail and bump up Clarity a little (more detail). Lastly, I lower Vibrance, which was added earlier by the “Auto” button, so that the colors do not look too bright.
Above: This is a before/after view (you can see it by pressing the letter “y”). To return to the original view, press ‘y’ once more.
You have it. I hope you found this helpful. Enjoy your weekend! I cringe when I type this, but #GoBucs. We’re not winning, but I still have to say that.
-Scott
P.S. Mark your calendars for October 30-Nov 3 2023, the Masters of Nature & Landscape Photography symposium. It’s an honor to be a speaker, alongside an all-star team of instructors. They say: “Jack Graham & Bill Fortney invites you to join them in the Saguaro national park and Tucson area for a memorable adventure.” This amazing symposium .” was created by their vast experience in the photography industry, leading workshops, and helping people to “see” creatively. Hope to see you there.