Lightroom

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’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 )


Promo Slideshow I created for Rob’s LIVE Guest Appearance

HOW TO PRINT - The ULTIMATE Guide to Achieving the PERFECT PRINT

Watch this recording of a LIVE Broadcast following the launch of my long awaited HOW TO PRINT course for a Behind the Scenes look at what went into making the course content, tips, additonal learning and Q&A

Well my HOW TO PRINT course has officially launched, and I don't care whether it's right or wrong to say this but ... "I'm Bloomin Proud of myself"

As of today the course has over 7 hours of content which, I hasten to add, is the least amount of content that there will ever be as I'm looking forward to keeping this well and truly up to date for everyone that has and does enroll.

The support I've had has been incredible from close friends and people across the industry being willing, sometimes at short notice, to open their company doors and allow me in to do some filming and also them jumping on to a video conference to record an interview covering a certain topic relating to printing.

SPECIAL THANKS goes to Dominic Gurney from Epson UK who as well as freely sharing his vast knowledge has driven considerable mileage (more than once) to pass on some kit for me to use.

Everyone at Permajet for their constant support from Day 1 when I was planning this course. Inviting me into their offices, filming, lunch, paper, interviews and so much more. Outstanding!

Dr Chris Bai from BenQ whom I'm proud to call a friend and everyone at BenQ; always there and always willing to help and provide support. When I first met Dr Bai he said that his purpose was to educate me about colour and display technology and he sure has!

The BRILLIANT people at Digitalab who invited up to their offices for 2 days when I first started working on the course. Nothing was and is too much trouble for them and for that and all they do I am so incrediby grateful.

The great folks at Calibrite for helping out in so many ways providing kit, promotion, technical advice and information and always reaching out to see if I need any support.

Trevor Williams of West Street Picture Framing who opened his shop on a day it was ordinarily closed just so that I could do some filming of him showing how to correctly add a print onto backing board and add them into a mount for display.

MASSIVE thank you to everyone that has Pre Ordered the Course so far. I'm genuinely blown away at the response but also at the trust placed in me to provide a course that you're willing to hand over some of your hard earned money for. It is VERY much appreciated. (your course content will be available from 6pm UK today)

... and finally my wife Anne who does everything she can to make it easier for me to get on with getting on. Because of her support I don't have to think about anything other than getting this done and hand on heart I wouldn't have been able to get it finished and produced what I have without her.

This might sound a bit dramatic ... I mean it's 'only' a course that I've put together but heck, I've worked hard on this. I wanted to make this THE go-to course for printing so that others can get their share of the pleasure I get when seeing an image that you took the time and effort to get out and capture, retouch and finally hold in your hands.

"The ART doesn't end at the EDIT"

Portrait using a 55mm Prime and LED Lighting

I’m currently trying out a new portrait style for me using a different lens focal length than what I’ve used for a while now, and also adding in an additonal light to my usual one-light set up.

For some time I’ve used the Sony 85mm G Master lens with my Sony A7RIV and have and still do love it for the quality and sharpness of the files it produces. However I’m now going to be using a 55mm focal length … my Zeiss f/1.8 Prime Lens.

It’s hard to put into words what I’m really liking about the look the lens gives … it’s just different. Some would say that it gives a much more realistic ‘as the eyes see it’ look but I guess that also depends on how close to the subject you position yourself.

I also like how the focal length means you’re much closer to the subject, making the portraits much more intimate and revealing of the person being photographed ... if that makes sense.

I’m also, like I said, using an additional light with this new look I’m working on; both of which are LED Constant lights.

I’ve been using the 60W Westcott L60-B COB LED for a while now but a few days ago I received the new 120W L120-B COB LED; a slightly bigger unit with the advnatage that no adaptor is needed to fit any of my light modifiers.

So the portrait of my friend Anthony above, I took using one of the grey walls in my office as the background; here’s the set up showing the positon of the lights …

LIGHTING

Westcott L60-B COB LED fitted with a square Westcott Pocket Box Softbox rear and camera right and positioned so that it added both a bit of light onto the background but also a hint of light onto the camera right side of Anthony’s head.

Westcott L120-B COB LED fitted with the 24” Rapid Box Switch Softbox

Westcott 2-in-1 Reflector (silver and White) with silver side uppermost

*NOTE: If you’re looking to invest in Westcott Kit, then give me a shout and I’ll pass on a Discount Code

Westcott L120-B COB LED

Westcott 24” Rapid Box Switch Beauty Dish

Westcott Pocket Box Speedlight Softbox Kit

camera settings

  • Aperture: f/5.6

  • Shutter Speed: 1/60sec

  • ISO: 1250

When taking Anthony’s portrait I was experimenting with different apertures to see hat I prefered for this new look; f/2.0 , f,4.0 , f/5.6 and actually liked the look of f/40 as with the 55m lens it gave a great depth of field with the tip of the nose in foucs and then from the ears losing focus.

However, I mistakenly left the camera in f/5.6 so during the retouching in Lightroom I used the Lens Blur to convincingly fake the depth of the field.

retouching in lightroom

The portrait I retouched using only Lightroom and I’ve added it into my Lightroom Community Profile Page

When you go to my Lightroom Community Profile Page, click on the portrait and this will then take you to where you can see all of the retouching steps I did to the ‘out of camera’ file. You can also save the settings as a preset to use on your own images and even click on Remix to get access to a Smart Preview of my original file and have a go at retouching it yourself.