RAW Photo Editing Basics: Fix EXPOSURE the Right Way!

5/25/2024 Matt 0 Comments

Mark Denney, a renowned landscape photographer, he often emphasizes that there are numerous techniques to edit RAW photos. However, one of the most significant challenges in RAW photo editing is correcting exposure. Simply using the exposure slider can result in flat light, muddy contrast, and dull colors. In this video, he will share a superior technique that corrects exposure while preserving dynamic light and beautiful colors—all without touching the often overdone exposure slider.

Understanding the Basics of Exposure Correction

One of the critical aspects of RAW photo editing is ensuring your images are well-exposed. The exposure slider might seem like a quick fix, but it often leads to subpar results. Let’s delve into a more effective method using an example from my recent workshop in Bali.

Step-by-Step Exposure Correction Without the Exposure Slider

Initial Analysis

Here’s an image from the island of Bali. On the left is the final edited version, and on the right is the raw file, which is grossly underexposed. The goal is to transform this underexposed raw file into a vibrant, well-exposed image without using the exposure slider.

Basic Adjustments: The Wrong Approach

Initial Adjustment: If you start by pushing the histogram to the right using the exposure slider, you might get a brighter image, but the light will appear flat, the contrast weak, and the colors washed out.
Histograms and Sliders: Bringing shadows up to +100 and highlights down to -100 was my go-to for years. While this method fills out the histogram, the resulting image lacks depth and vibrancy.

The Right Technique: Using Color Grading and Specific Sliders

Midtones Adjustment

Midtones in Lightroom: Lightroom lacks a direct midtone slider, which is a drawback since midtones are crucial for a balanced exposure. The workaround is to use the Color Grading panel.
Adjusting Midtones: Select midtones in the Color Grading panel and use the luminance slider. Increasing the luminance affects only the midtones, enhancing exposure without flattening the image.

Targeted Adjustments

Blacks and Shadows: Start by adjusting the darkest parts of the photo. Increase the black and shadow points to bring out details without washing out the image.
Whites and Highlights: Similarly, adjust the whites and highlights to enhance the brightest areas. This method maintains the overall contrast and depth of the image.

Enhancing Specific Areas with Masks

Linear Gradients: Use linear gradients to adjust specific areas like the sky. Lower the exposure and highlights, and add contrast to maintain the dynamic range.
Color Simplification: Neutralize overly vibrant colors using the Hue and Saturation sliders. This helps simplify the color palette and enhance overall harmony.

Fine-Tuning

Temperature and Tint: Adjust the color temperature to cool down the image and add a bit of magenta for balance.
Texture and Clarity: Reduce clarity slightly, increase texture, and apply a small amount of negative dehaze to soften the overall appearance.

Advanced Masking Techniques

Object Selection: Use object selection to focus on areas of interest, like a boat in the image. Refine the mask using color range to target specific tones.
Detailed Adjustments: Adjust shadows, whites, and highlights within the mask to enhance the focal point without altering the entire image.

Final Touches

Tone Curve: Lift the black point and introduce a subtle S-curve for added contrast.
Vignette: Add a subtle vignette to draw attention to the center of the image.

Comparison

Comparing the two images, the one edited using the exposure slider appears flat and dull. In contrast, the image edited with this refined technique has vibrant colors, better contrast, and dynamic lighting. This method, which avoids the exposure slider, produces a far superior result.

Next time you encounter an underexposed photograph, consider this polished approach. Focus on enhancing the midtones, and use specific sliders for blacks, shadows, whites, and highlights to achieve a well-balanced exposure. The end result will be significantly more vibrant and dynamic.

Enjoy experimenting with these techniques, and watch your photos come to life with dynamic light and stunning colors.

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About Mark Denney:

My passion for landscape photography has grown from my love of the great outdoors. The serenity and therapeutic nature are perhaps what I enjoy most about it. I treasure the complete process that landscape photography requires, from the on-location aspect of actually traveling and taking the image to the post processing workflow of Lightroom and Photoshop. Let's Get Connected: markdenneyphotography.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | 🌟 2023 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE🔘 https://geni.us/markdenneyworkshops

Image and video via Mark Denney | 🔘Download His FREE Guides Here👇