RAW Photo Editing Basics: Fix EXPOSURE the Right Way!

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In this week’s episode, we discuss RAW photo editing basics and how to fix exposure the right way. Much like most things in photo editing, there are many ways to correct exposure issues, some ways are better than others, but the technique I share in this video is one that I've found the most success with. When I was a beginner photographer, just getting started, I would often return home from a trip with a series of under exposed images. And, I would always correct the exposure the same way, which was by cranking up the Shadows, reducing the Highlights and adding a ton of Exposure recovery. This often resulted in muddy contrast, flat light, and dull colors. In this video, I'll show you a trick that'll solve all of these problems the right way! I hope you enjoy this week's video and as always thanks so much for watching! - Mark D.

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#landscapephotography​​

**LETS CONNECT**

[MarkDenneyPhoto]

✅QUICK QUESTION: Do you typically under expose your landscape photos?

[xdmguy]

Editing photos is definitely a personal taste based thing, you can be sure that not every one will be pleased with your results. I personally find the boat in silhouette with the vibrant sunset much more pleasing.

[ilesmic]

I like the overall idea, but I think I would have left the boat a bit darker as it is backlit-- I would have looked at a pano crop to see how that looked. I do tend to like more intense and vibrant colors on the whole.

[ADPproductionsGR]

I absolutely love photos with vibrant and rich sunset colors! When there’s a human face in the shot, I’ll gently enhance it to make it clearer. But when it comes to boats or other objects, I prefer subtle adjustments that maintain the overall mood. After all, those gorgeous sunset hues are the heart of these images, and highlighting the boat too much might take away from their magic.

[esanford]

Mark, the key message here is to refrain from editing like an automaton. Several times in the presentation you said “I used to always…”. Most of us did that. As I matured and refined my vision, I take more time to get a proper exposure by using the histogram rather than just looking at the image on the back of the camera. That alone got me to a better starting point for editing. I also made sure I got the right aspect ratio in camera when shooting. That worked wonders. Many cameras have aspect ratio templates that enables the photographer to evaluate different compositions that can be changed later. Then, I didn’t start editing by “always Instead, I observe the image to evaluate the look, feel and emotion that I am trying to evoke. Editing now is a pleasant adventure rather than just pulling sliders in a predetermined order. Good video.😮

[Retset]

Loads of useful tips in here beyond the title method! I've always stretched and moved the histogram with I love the idea of the luminance slider to independently shift the mid point upwards.

[nralbers]

One question. Why did you tone down the glorious red and orange tints in the original.
It was the best part of the original raw, and all of the adjustments still give me the feeling the photo is washed out because it's lost all the depth of colours.

[dougstead]

A nice presentation that is easily understandable and well worth the time to view.

[Andreas_Reuter]

One of the reasons why I love the brightness slider in capture one... Great video!

[napzzle]

Man. I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and this is by far the best advice you’ve given. When you described your old way of editing underexposed photos is exactly how I’ve been doing it (and unhappy with my results but not sure why) so thank you.

[deanportelli]

exactly what I was doing till now and I noticed it quite often that I started to use a gradient sky to try and arange the flat colours

[shyamalganguly]

The take away is that in the editing on the original photo technique I personally learnt a lot and want a lot more of the stuff and I'm indebted to the ten advice on enhancing photography given by you in an other video I watched and learnt to the rot!

[sisyphusgreek]

In my opinion, your edited photo looks way better than the one with the exposure bump, but what a convoluted way to achieve it. As someone whose knowledge of Lr is limited, or more importantly, my patience level using it is very thin. I should try some of your courses That would probably negate the cursing and maybe increase my patience level should I become more proficient. Anyway, I have subscribed.

[n.r.c.w]

While I prefer the more underexposed photo in this example, the techniques you showed are very welcome and I'm definitely gonna use them in some scenarios instead of the exposure slider. Thanks!

[thomastuorto]

As someone who has just upgraded from LR6 to LRC & only have touched a couple of photos, I appreciate this & last weeks vids.

[merlebecker]

Thank you Mark. Glad that you had a successful trip. Looking forward to more photos.

[KingfisherSeven]

Thank you! I've been messing about for years without having found instruction as clear as this. Great video.

[gregwarson]

You are the best tool I have in my camera bag!! As always, very helpful tips and techniques. Thanks Mark!

[jonnyroids]

Another great video mark. Have a lovely week.

[gman]

You got some great shots and a cracking tan out of that trip Mark, really appreciate your content as always.