In this video I show how I retouched a car photograph taken on location, step by step using Lightroom on an iPad. The workflow show how incredibly powerful and useful masking is to isolate certain areas and make the car POP!
Photographing Cars with my iPhone 15 Pro Max
Now primariy I’m a Portrait Photographer however this past few weeks, for the fun of it, I’ve been experimenting with my iPhone to see how it would fare when taking pictures of my car … both still and moving.
So a few weekends back I met up with friends in South Wales and headed to Crickhowell; an area I’ve photographed in before when working on this Harley image …
kit used
For these car photographs I was using my iPhone 15 Pro Max along with …
Polar Pro iPhone Case
67mm Filter Adaptor + 67mm Circular Polarising Filter
ReeFlex Pro Camera App
The circular polariser is the car photographers secret weapon because of how effective it is in reducing / removing reflections in the car windows and on the bodywork …
I used the ReeFlex Pro Camera App purely so that I could use shutter speed and ISO to lock in the exposure that I wanted.
Here’s the ‘out of camera’ result …
Here’s the final retouched image which was done using Lightroom Desktop.
I also added a long exposure effect to the clouds using a technique in Photoshop which works really well however now I want to do the shoot again and capture it all ‘in camera’ using a long exposure app like ReeXpose or EvenLonger 😃
I also tried some panning shots and did get some results, however the ratio of keepers to rejects was very low.
I was trying to do this using the ReeFlex App and a Neutral Density Filter on the front of the iPhone so that I could lock in an exposed photographed at 1/30 second. However, the ReeFlex app at the time I did this did NOT have burst mode. This meant I was having to try to capture a single frame as I panned with the car passing at no more than 30 mph.
Here’s an edited result of what I managed to capture …
Later having shared this image online I spoke with a friend of mine who is a Professional Car Photographer. It was great to hear that he was impressed with the results expecially considering they were from an iPhone but he also gave me some settings that he and other pro car photographers use to capture a moving car.
My friend told me that moving car shots often see the car travelling at no more than 20 mph and that they also use a shutter speed of around 1/15 sec or 1/20 sec … but ALWAYS shoot in burst mode.
So armed with these settings I set about finding a pro camera app that would allow me to manually dial in the shutter speed but that also had Burst Mode; and the app I turned to was MOMENT.
I’ve yet to use the app in a planned car shoot however when in Germany a couple of weeks back I was waiting for a friend to pick me up and whilst waiting near a fuel station forecourt I attached the Variable Neutral Density Filter to my iPhone using the Polar Pro Case and Adaptor, and set the shutter speed using the MOMENT app.
I then simply took a burst of panning shots of passing cars as they negotiated a roundabout and drove away, which from my position would have meant them travelling around 20 mph.
Here’s some of the results …
So, yeah I’ve been very impressed with how the iPhone has dealt with this and the results I’ve managed to get.
Lots more experimenting and fun to be had!
Make PORTRAITS POP 💥 Dodging and Burning in LIGHTROOM
Dodging and burning in Lightroom is easier than you think!
In this video, I walk you through how to use masks and brushes to enhance your photos with subtle adjustments and bring portraits to life!
You’ll learn how to:
✅ Brighten highlights and deepen shadows for a natural look
✅ Use masks for precise control over specific areas
✅ Work with Lightroom’s brush tools to fine-tune your edits
⏰ Chapters:
00:00 - Why Dodge & Burn?
00:14 - Old Method
00:34 - Dodge Brush Mask Settings
02:34 - Dodge\Lighten Highlights on Face
05:57 - Depth + Dimension Explained
06:20 - Burn Brush Mask Settings
09:32 - Before/After
The ONE Slider You Need for PERFECT Colour & Contrast in LIGHTROOM
In this video I show how to balance color and contrast in Adobe Lightroom using the VERY USEFUL Refine Saturation Slider.
✅ How contrast adjustments influence colors in your photos.
✅ How to keep colors vibrant and natural.
Whether you're just starting out or have some editing experience, this might be something new or something you've forgotten about but is a great way to adjust tonal values of your images but maintain colour integrity.
⏰ Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:48 - Luminosity Blend Mode
01:30 - Desaturate
02:17 - The Refine Saturation Slider
Create Atmospheric SPECIAL EFFECTS in LIGHTROOM ( Fog + Lighting )
Learn simple techniques to enhance your photos with special effects.
In this video, I’ll show you:
How to create natural-looking fog in Lightroom
Adding realistic lights with reflection and fall-off for a polished look
How to include birds in Photoshop without needing to cut them out.
Improved SKY MASKS in LIGHTROOM Mobile using INVERT not INTERSECT
Making accurate Sky Masks in Lightroom Classic and Desktop is made so much easier using the 'Intersect' Command.
However this isn't currently available in Lightroom Mobile and neither is the 'Invert from Sky Selection' command.
So what can we do?
To download the Raw File and my Sunny Day at Lyme Preset, use the button link below to receive my Twice-Monthly Newsletter and have Access to the PRIVATE PAGE containing SUBSCRIBER-ONLY Content …
COMPLETE Retouching Workflow in LIGHTROOM on an iPad
Retouching a Seascape Photography from Start to Finish using ONLY Lightroom on the iPad.
To download the Raw File and my Sunny Day at Lyme Preset, use the button link below to receive my Twice-Monthly Newsletter and have Access to the PRIVATE PAGE containing SUBSCRIBER-ONLY Content …
Photographing Storms in the UK with my iPhone and Friends
There’s something special about heading out with your camera (or iPhone as it was for me) when a storm is brewing. It’s that mix of excitement, unpredictability, and the chance to capture nature at its wildest and recently, I had the chance to photograph two big storms—Storm Bert and Storm Darragh.
Storm Bert at Lyme Regis
First up was Storm Bert on the seafront at Lyme Regis with my good mate Steve Healy.
Lyme’s one of those places that looks stunning in any weather, but during a storm it really is next level.
The wind and rain was relentless, whipping around us as we walked along the seafront. The waves were smashing into the harbor wall, sending spray high into the air. At one point, I got completely drenched from the knees down (see photo below) by a rogue wave, but hey it’s all part of the fun, right?
I used my iPhone 15 Pro Max with the Lightroom Camera app, and honestly, it was spot on. The light was constantly changing, but using the phone to capture it was a breeze (no pun intended).
We took some time out for a bit of shelter and grabbed a coffee in the seafront Café, SWIM and it just so happened that on ther next table were a couple of people who had a dog, and well …
I couldn’t resist grabbing a photograph with my iPhone
I edited the portrait quickly in Lightroom on my iPhone and then showed the owners, who loved it and asked if I’d send it to them.
This again showed to me how powerful a mobile workflow is; being able to take a photograph and immediately edit it and sent it, I find so bloomin’ exciting!
Storm Darragh at West Bay
A few days later, Storm Darragh rolled in, and this time, it was off to West Bay with my friend Brian Dukes.
If you know West Bay, you’ll know those golden cliffs are absolutely stunning, but throw in a storm and it’s a whole different scene.
Brian and I spent most of the time trying to keep our footing while scouting for the best angles but oddly the sea wasn’t as rough as we’d expected it to be and we actually spent more time on the other side of the harbor.
Why I Love Storm Photography
Here’s the thing about photographing storms: it’s not just about the pictures. It’s the whole experience—being out in the elements, feeling the wind batter you, hearing the roar of the waves, and just soaking it all in (sometimes literally!).
For me, it’s also about the people you share it with. Steve and Brian are brilliant company, and there’s something about laughing at each other while dodging waves that makes the day even better.
If you’re thinking of heading out to photograph a storm, do it. Just make sure you’re prepared (waterproofs are a must … as I have well and truly learned), keep an eye on the tides, and embrace the chaos. The photos are a bonus!
I’m really happy with the keepers from both Storm Bert and Storm Darragh but honestly, the best bit was just being there watching the storm do its thing.
Can’t wait for the next one. Bring it on!
Photography Life in the time of LIGHTROOM with Brian Matiash
Watch the recording of this LIVE Broadcast as I chat with Brian Matiash (Software Quality Engineer , Lightoom Desktop) as we discuss his approach to Photography, Anxiety, his Go-To Kit, Social Media and Photography, and also Retouching Images in Lightroom PLUS showing some hidden features in Lightroom Desktop / Classic.
links mentioned in the video:
Brian Matiash website: www.matiash.com
Brian’s Lightroom Everywhere Course: ( LINK )
Brian on Instagram: @brianmatiash
BorisFX Optics - Photoshop and Lightroom Plug in (FREE for October): ( LINK )
My How to Print Course: ( LINK )
brian’s slideshow / promo video:
Photography Education and the LIGHTROOM HELP-DESK | Rob Sylvan
Watch the recording of this LIVE Broadcast as I chat with Rob Sylvan, Photographer, Camera Expert, Canon Product Educator and Author.
A writer for Lightroom Killer Tips and known as The Lightroom Help-Desk we discuss all things Photography and Lightroom … PLUS tips for keeping your Lightroom organised and optimised.
links mentioned in the video:
Rob’s Website: robsylvan.com
Lightroom Killer Tips: lightroomkillertips.com
Rob Sylvan on Instagram: @sylvanworks
How to Print Course: ( LINK )
Omnicharge Portable Power Solutions: ( LINK )