BALANCE TONAL RANGE
Apply first-wave adjustments to raw files for a moody base image
1 FIND A BALANCE
Firstly, I reduced the Exposure and the Highlights to bring out more of the details that had looked ‘washed out’ in the lighter raw file. This gave more depth to the background, and gave more layers to the shot. The increase in contrast will give better clarity when enhancing colours.
4 APPLY HEALING
I spent some time removing dust particles and spots before any final touches. This is important, as it removes any distractions. Light colours often make them invisible in a raw image, and they’re more visible when Exposure is reduced and Dehaze increased.
2 COLOUR VIBRANCY
It’s easy to over-toggle the Temperature and Tint bars to make something extra vibrant and completely change the colour of the image. I used them slightly on this image to improve the existing colours. I also used the
Color Mix to bring out the vibrancy in the autumnal colours.
5 MASKING PART 1
Firstly, the sky: find a balance in the exposures and colours. Here, I added a mask to the sky, increasing Dehaze and reducing Texture, allowing the weather to be evident, but also to blend in with the rest of the shot by removing the previously ‘washed out’ sky. 3
SHARPNESS AND DETAILS For this shot, I increased the Dehaze slightly for a darker and more vibrant finish, but also reduced the Texture to give it a smoother look. I opted not to add a Vignette to avoid taking the detail away from the flowing river, as that’s also an important feature of the shot.
6 MASKING PART 2
Secondly, the river: as a vital part of the image, I wanted it to have the right effect. I used a long exposure to capture motion, and I wanted that motion to be evident, so I increased Clarity and Dehaze to enhance the movement. Texture is reduced in line with the rest of the image.