RAW Photo Editing Basics: Pro Tips I Wish I Learned Sooner

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

🔥QUESTION: Which Crop did you prefer? Edge or no Edge?

[@drmathochist06]

Squarer crop without the edge. It really emphasizes the geometry of the scene, with the triangle and its reflection forming a kite (nearly a cyclic one) centered in the square.

[@arianvangend2536]

Prefer the vertically less symmetrical crop. It's more unique to my eyes and better proportioned over all. I do think the mountain reflection in the water needs some editing because right now it doesn't match with the actual mountain in light display. Feels off because of that, at least to me. But beautiful image in any case. Very nice!

[@geoffclinton8575]

The square image with no edge.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

@@drmathochist06 Great feedback - thanks!

[@LenShigemoto]

I like just the reflection one.

[@nathantibbetts8811]

I've been watching Lightroom and photo editing videos for years, but no one has taught me so much meaningful information in one video as you. Thank you!

[@Tremert1]

True!! Is the first time my photos have some color! Ty!

[@deivytrajan]

I like the one with the mud in the bottom. It makes composition more interesting and a bigger story to tell than just a cute mountain with symmetrical reflection in the water.

[@indrajitadvani3742]

Really appreciate that solo mode tip and SHIFT double click black/white. Didn't know those. Can't decide which of the two crops I prefer!

[@davide36923]

Beautiful work Mark. That solo mode is a godsend. You are the Man.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks a million David!

[@ronaldheinrich6683]

For many years I used to take my pictures with Sony cameras. And it was ok. Now for 6 weeks I have a Fuji x-h2. And to me it seems as if the Fuji works completely different with colors. The same when I watch your videos and you show the RAW. The colors have much more depth and dynamic. For me it is great to see how you work out the details and make a good picture to a better one. Thank you for that.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

FUJI ROCKS!!

[@frank1crayon]

Well done, Mark. Very informative. One thing I tend to do is be careful I don't make the sky darker than its reflection.

[@shyamalganguly3598]

Definitely the cropped image is far more compelling than the original one! The fact that the dolomite mount needs to be in the upright composition to effect the boldness in front of the amazed human figure which brings to scale the dolomite to the viewers taking the pleasure of the scene from opposite side of the surface of water! The light room technique to transform the entire picture is a great reward for learners like us and that too from a professional! I can't thank you less for enhancing the skill for Lightroom software bit by bit in each of your video!

[@gopeddle]

I like the crop that's more like a 2 1/4 format. I think it emphasizes the light and mountain better and makes the overall image more impactful. Nice work.

[@LyndaRossi]

I really like the crop, it’s less distracting. First time I’ve seen your channel & I’ll definitely be watching more from you. Thanks

[@amymelvin4899]

I like the one with the puddle best I think it adds just enough darker tone to separate the top from the reflection. beautiful

[@michaelgoulding4425]

Been a while since I've visited KZbin and delighted to see the growth of your channel and career, and that your content remains at such a high level

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

That means a lot - appreciate that!

[@michelv714]

Solo mode is great but what I learned just recently makes it even more interesting ! If you want to temporarily open a second (or more) panel, you can do it by typing + on the panel you want. I love it !

[@andrealavigne7824]

First off, I prefer the photo with the shoreline. I just think the other looks a bit too squashed top to bottom. I think including the shoreline gives good leading lines & just a gentler entrance into the photo for the viewer. I do want to thank you for this video, and especially for the pdf download, Mark! I often have difficulty remembering things, so having a "cheat sheet" to refer to will make it much easier than trying to reference or remember details from a video. At least until I can go through it enough times to internalize things. Thank you for your weekly videos. Hope you have an awesome day!

[@tdemask]

I prefer the no edge square crop. Thanks for the super helpful tutorial showing your workflow. Really helps me focus instead of being overwhelmed with the 8 million different controls in my raw processing software!

[@debbielynn6683]

I like the version on the left. I’m going off just my fist feelings as I first seeing the without a lot of thought in it. Sometimes when I go with that feeling, it seem to guide me the best. If I stop and start analyzing, I make choices maybe I shouldn’t have. Thanks for all your helping videos❣️

[@castorc9710]

The photo with the edge of the pond in view looks more complete to me. The cropped one makes the photo look truncated. Appreciate the tutorial on how you brought out the hidden features that had 'fallen into shadow' in the RAW file.

[@DonDickinson-o9o]

One thing that made a huge difference for me… a better monitor. My new 27” monitor is 99% rgb (supposedly), and 4K. It’s not an Apple, BenQ or Eizo, but it’s much better than what I was using. Subtle shade and colour differences are now visible. PS: I’m subscribed to a lot of photographer’s YT feeds. I don’t always watch everything, and I slowly go through a few videos each week. Your videos are the only ones that I watch asap, always within 8-9 hours. I love the instructional content. I really don’t need to see anyone out in the field. I’m more interested in learning how the final result was achieved.

[@steveklamkin]

I choose the cropped photo - or, the one that's 'closer to square'. The mountain and its reflection lend itself to the square, I think. I've learned a lot right here... my LRC learning curve has been pretty steep, and you've been helping me quite a bit, Mark. Thanks!

[@Deg99]

I like the one with the edge....I think it pulls your eye to the reflection...

[@CyclingOffToSomewhereIDK]

Of the two shots you asked for feedback on, with or without the shoreline, I like the "with". There's a bit too much empty space in the front of the "without" version. The shoreline leads the eye a bit more, I think. Very informative. My camera was down for a while, I didn't keep up with the skills. This is a great refresher, I learn something every time I watch your videos. Thanks😁

[@nivikoseven]

Solo mode changed my life! Thank you.

[@johnSchmidt.photography]

Outstanding to-the-point article on converting RAW images!! Thanks much Mark! As far as the images with/without the shoreline, I prefer the one withOUT the shoreline, no distractions in that image. My eyes tend to gravitate down to the shoreline eventually....... Your work is amazing!

[@johncahill1587]

As always a great video Mark. I prefer the cropped version, it’s more cleaner and also makes the mountain and reflection the main focus of the image. The uncropped version for me makes the mountain and the reflection kinda fighting with the water and the shore, there’s an extra element that the cropped version takes away.

[@echoauxgen]

This is most excellent showing that capturing in raw that there is more work to be done. Like back in the Film days you had to do some work in the darkroom. Also there are settings that only affect jpegs find what they are and shoot in both then compare in post. I find doing a image in auto of the same way to look at your raw image. I have learned your new things that I also wish I knew first, but a note software did not have all the wizbang options years ago. When on days the lighting or weather are not good for going out to play I will go back to the old raw images. Do you remember when Lr gave the ability to remove sensor dust from an image? When you do sunrise/sunsets do you bracketing 5 at +/- 2EV and run through a HDR editing, doing in the blue hour is a big help also? You pay for all these options or tools with the camera cost! Just the play helps to you see what can be done with an image.

[@owpidcock]

I like the crop with the shore. Puts the mountain in it’s setting a little more

[@scottwallace1]

Shoreline version for sure. Gives it way more depth and context. The reflection only version looks like the Paramount logo 😉

[@ibramwell6572]

I prefer the image with the edge showing. It can be tempting to make a subject larger in the frame, which is possibly how we naturally see a scene. In my opinion, including more of the scene surrounding the subject will add context and interest to the subject. Thanks for your excellent video.

[@beckymurphy3603]

I like the image without the shoreline best. Lovely photo.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Becky!

[@davidcottee3464]

Always something to learn. I was completely unaware of the Solo Mode! As for the preferred version, it is very dependent how you are viewing it. The more cropped version looks better on a small device (phone, social media, etc), but the more complete version for gallery print...IMHO.

[@jeremyfmoses]

I'm sure you would have picked this up in a more careful edit off-camera, and this is the first suggestion I've ever had for one of your edits after having watched dozens of your videos, but after having brought the sky down and the lake up, your reflection is now (seemingly?) brighter than the sky in places.

[@paulbonge6617]

Mark, you look and sound like you are feeling better and have found a healthy balance. Cheers as always for a really clear and concise little tutorial. I'm in the vertical crop WITH edge camp. Both are fine edits, but I find often it's almost a default as a photographer to want to have everything balance and be as perfectly symmetrical as possible, especially photographs of this type. Personally, I tend to start in camera with my composition often leaning towards the quirkier and sometimes off-balance side, but never being entirely dis-harmonious. The symmetrical square crop screams Sierra Club and glossy photo mag perfection, but so does the other one, and I am quite partial to a bit more foreground and that little bit of messy shoreline just barely making itself seen in the deeper shadow there. If these were my photos? Well, I'd sell the "you know what" out of little gemlike square ones to the masses, but I'd mat and frame the taller one as an 11x14 to hang at home.

[@MsOnce4all]

I like the one with the shoreline. Been using Solo mode for years. Something you did mention that was new to me, and you only mentioned it in passing, was that you can hold down Shift and double-click a slider item (in this case it was Whites) to Auto set Whites. I knew you could double-click to reset a slider to its default setting, but the Shift-Double-click for Auto is something I never knew about. Thank you! I sometimes use the overall Auto button to set a baseline to work from, but lately, the results of Auto have been horrendous. Can't remember if it started after the last LR update or not. Anyway, I always learn something from your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@tylerhebert6931]

I definitely like the uncropped version better. It gives a thing so much more depth I feel.

[@ViciousWrath501st]

I prefer the cropped without shoreline. Especially considering your sky edits better match the reflection, I think the cropped version really brings that forward. Nice video.

[@railworker8058]

I think the photo on the right is the superior image. It provides more environmental context and engages the viewer more. The image tells more of a story, a vital photographic aspect, than a picture simply of a mountain. There’s more depth and more perspective too, giving the impression of walking into the scene.

[@alexanderkrainz51]

I go for option "Right", given the more dramatic scene and the more natural details in it. Sell worthy, and no kidding. There's a gallery here in downtown Zürich, Switzerland selling these for the price of a lovely wide-angle lens. And BTW, super informative video with new tips & tricks, I immediately will implement in my workflow.

[@aashishkanji8051]

Enjoyed watching this video. I think that the final image with a shore is much more compelling. It just balances the image well and also gives it a bit more character. It also gives me a sense of standing on the shore and observing the scene which draws me further into the image. The other image is also great, but if I had to choose one, it would be the image with the shore. Thanks for sharing

[@JoannaMalak]

In my opinion, the version on the right is definitely better. It has more air in it. The left version is overwhelmed by the top. The bottom of the photo is not able to balance the intensity of the rocks. More sky and especially more water, builds harmony in the right photo. It doesn't have the tightness of the left one. I think the phrase "the photo breathes" best reflects the grounding of my opinion.

[@karayuschij]

A solid foreground adds depth to the image.

[@michaelfloy9562]

Tough call as both are appealing, but I like the one on the left slightly better. Very good and informative video!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@clarissajager9635]

Definitely with shoreline. Creates more depth. Great content!❤

[@2007zodiac]

im just getting back into photography after nearly 3yrs away due to work..just updated my camera(to a D850) and was looking to update my imac also, as my late 2014 isnt up to what i need.and BANG!!, i came across your video..not only have you Got the set-up im looking to purchase,but your tutorial is amazing!!, precise and informative, i was worrying what the new lightroom software could now do, but you've answered all my questions, im saving this video to help me through the new start-up..instantly subbed!!..many thanks

[@Spikeyspuds]

I don't know if it's your style or what not...I just really tune in to your content and pick up a lot of information. Keep it going.

[@daemon1143]

Nice tips Mark. I like the non-shorline one, mostly because I like the aspect ratio, rather than some prejudice against the mud.

[@cwugrad396]

the one w/out the shore. the pic to the left was my favorite

[@brianjennings2185]

As always Mark - excellent tutorial. I especially like the work flow which has changed a bit from earlier videos, but this flows and works well. Thanks.

[@hoonior]

this was a very useful way to spend an hour, going back and forth between the video and the RAW file, thank you. Time to go out and find some new locations to shoot and create something of my own to play around with...

[@MrPhitos]

Thank you for those tips ! I often struggle with high dynamic range pictures and sometimes even quit as I feel like I don't know what I am doing after 30 minutes trying to edit a single image. I will definetly watch this video again while editing.

[@TrishDaly19]

Thank you for explaining why you edit the way you do. I like the the image with the shore as it leads into the mountain as the subject. With the more cropped version, the reflection of the mountain seems to be crushed against the lower edge and my eye keeps wandering around the image. Although it is interesting in that it is symmetrical, and that is always a pleasing composition.

[@garymc8956]

Always appreciate the Lightroom tips that I don’t see elsewhere.

[@garymc8956]

Square image is the moneymaker.

[@toddwhitmire9057]

Hello Mark My choice would the picture without the mud. Excellent job, you are so much fun to follow. I have learned so much from you. Thank you.

[@patricesanders463]

Cropped is my favorite ❤️

[@LoiteringReaper]

For the two photo comparisons, a closer subject invokes in the viewer a feeling of immersion in the setting. A diminished subject will alienate the viewer, making them feel like a bystander. Which style depends on the photographer to decide on how they want to tell their story.

[@yspegel]

I'm going to give you a tip back. If you have a picture like this with a fairly clear reflection: with selection editing, select both the original and the reflection. When you start highlight where the sun hits that rock, it starts to show a difference in the reflection, it's noticeable. As for the rest, I have a decent amount of experience, learned mostly by myself, it's interesting that in many things I do the same, just in a different way. Nice to see alternative ways. P.s. I would go for the cropped version, the mud in foreground doesn't add anything.

[@ChristopherRGray]

Greetings Mark. The one with no shoreline by a long shot. This was a welcomed video, as I am starting to have memory loss. Your check sheet is now on the wall next to my monitors. Thanks Muchly

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear it's helpful!

[@mkbaharris]

Thank you mark, appreciate the time and effort to show us the way. Think I like the more cropped squarer version. You made the upper middle look so nice that the lower sandy area was not really doing much. So the concentration is really pulling you towards the mountains focal area 😊

[@jeffkrueger4608]

Mark: Thanks for sharing your editing process. Addressing the “big picture” edits first seems to save a lot of detail editing. Also I definitely prefer the cropped image. The clouds in the sky and the reflection give a nice balanced lead into the image. The muddy shoreline doesn’t really add to the image!

[@waynebauknight3663]

Great video! the one thing i might change is make the subtle changes in the reflection that you did in the actual moutain to carry through the realism of the adjustments.

[@77715659]

My opinion is the one without the shoreline is a more beautiful cleaner picture that I would love to have hanging on the wall. But in saying that, the one with shoreline tells more of a story about what it was like to be at that location like you have referred to in past videos. Bottom line is they are both awesome as usual. I do just want to thank you for sharing all your helpful knowledge you give us. While there are a lot of great photographer KZbinrs out there I always come back to your for learning. Thanks again

[@geraldbraun6267]

Beautiful edit Mark, I prefer the one with the shore on the bottom. It draws my eye in better.

[@mid_age_bass]

I like the shoreline picture better, feels more rugged and open, what you want when you're out on a mountain side imo. Thanks for the lesson, beautiful pic.

[@AlenaSemendyaeva-vx2pu]

Mark, thanks for the pretty practical guidelines! My vote is for the crop w/o shoreline. One more cent to croping is a mount itself. I was really hipnotized when you show this crop of mount only. Looks like there is a group of people going up hill also. I would consider such option.

[@gregwarson3483]

I've watched tons of your posts Mark, and always come away with something new. Thanks for taking the time to help us use the full capabilities of Lightroom.

[@garyloader1416]

Both fantastic images, but I think I prefer the squarer crop. I really like the symmetry.

[@mcva]

Remember to edit the water reflection too, since this water has a lower exposure than the sky. It's especially obviously in the highlights that only the sky is edited. Keep up the good work

[@rml3wood]

Thank You Mark for Solo Mode!

[@esanford]

I like the one on the left better w/o shoreline... it's less busy. Nevertheless, I have stopped using "free form" cropping. I prefer to use standard crops (e.g. 4X5, 16X9, 1X1, 65X24). Using standard crops make things much easier for framing. Plus, aspect ratio plays a major role in my compositions. I actually choose in camera crops while shooting. Of course my GFX 100s preserves the full 4X3 native image if I want to change later. Using standard crops all the way through the process has improved my compositions. Also, when I have gallery shows, the images show consistency thereby making a nicer presentation. In the past, I did like you in terms of moving lines here and there. By cropping in camera, my compositions "make more sense" because of the disciplined approach.

[@EvanSchurr]

I agree. Freeform crop is waaaay too ambiguous. Choosing a standard crop helps.

[@thomasriera2030]

Nice video and appreciate the shortcut tips! I also love solo mode. Cropped vs uncropped: Both are nice but, I think that the cropped image is stronger. The shore is mud and not at the same visual standard as the magnificent landscape behind it. I feel that the shore dilutes the quality and the simpler, cropped image puts more focus on the most stunning part of the image.

[@JanieP53]

Mark, I like the one without the foreground. I really enjoyed this video!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to hear this!

[@GVkiddo]

Great video. Learned a lot. Square crop I prefer. More in balance with the triangular mountain and its reflection.

[@donnorris1954]

With the edge - the vertical format echoes the mountain - it looks more integrated.

[@texasdreaming6684]

Reading through the comments it's interesting to see the different opinions on the two crops. I prefer the square crop since it's cleaner and more balanced and I find the shoreline distracting. I was also wondering if the reflection should get some attention as well since it looks flat in post editing? Or would that distract from the mountain as the main subject? Great video, thank you so much for sharing!

[@Tajhad]

The one on the right with the mud showing. A more interesting composition.

[@embiess]

Great to get back to basics and tune areas that may had not been an area of focus. Thanks!

[@CTBikesalot]

I like the shoreline cropped out. I really like your workflow steps/tips. Very logical. I’ll try it with my next set.

[@tpoe4]

Left is my pick. Both are great!

[@jeffross9620]

I like the photo on the left (closer crop)! Thanks for the download as well!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to do it Jeff!

[@sutv6754]

Mark, I prefer the cropped version without the shore line. Great great lesson. Love it man. You give. Thank you.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@normansleep4491]

Mark, my preference is the one on the left without the shoreline, Awesome video as always very enjoyable to watch your way of portraying the method of editing. Thank you

[@tonyb2760]

The square format fits the scene better in my opinion, I don't think the puddle has as much of an effect to deter from the square format. Thanks for sharing

[@Bob_Amaral_Photography]

That is what I love about your videos Mark. While I have been using Lightroom for years, I always find some Lightroom feature I never knew existed. Solo Mode is one of them. I just love it. Great video. Thank you!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Love hearing this - thanks Bob!

[@garyg.1122]

Going with the crop no shoreline. The level of the pond was grabbing my attention, it wouldn't let go. The person on the right didn't appear vertical as a 2nd reference of not level. I made a screen shot and checked it out on my software and once the water was level so was the person now vertical. All said this wasn't the point you were going over. Thanks for putting up the tutorial.

[@susiescue]

Shoreline! Beautiful work and excellent video. Thank you!!

[@bobrutan4735]

I find that the crop with the shoreline showing is much more comfortable to look at and seems more balanced.

[@identorx6064]

I think the image is leaning a bit to the right. The water is always level, and for that, the peaks of the mountain above and mirrored should always vertically alligned. If you draw a straight line between the peaks, you notice that the line is not perfect vertical. A small horizon correction should be in place :)

[@laurarossi5417]

The mud creates an interesting foreground; plus, it has a nice diagonal lead toward the center from the bottom corners of this photo. The mud towards the clouds, to the reflection, to the mountain extending into the clouds. I see an X. To me, the individual to the left is emphasized because it is the element that differentiates the two sides of the photo.

[@davidktimothy]

Shoreline, DEFINITELY!

[@RGP_WA]

Mark, I like the cropped photo with out the distracting edge of the puddle. Thank you for the guide. I'm still learning lightroom and this guide will be helpful!😊😊 😊😊😊

[@GraceBrouwer]

Thanks for this video. I love seeing how you take a 'meh' image to something outstanding. I'm quite new to your channel, and I find that in these types of videos, you go very quickly through the enhancements of texture/dehaze/etc., and it seems like you're toning these down. I'm old-school where we always wanted everything as sharp as possible. I understand that you are using these adjustments to draw the eye but I'm wondering if you can do a video where you go through these adjustments more slowly, showing before and after, or if you have already done such a video, if you can point me to it. Thanks for so much great free content!

[@vinestreetimages]

Great learning tool for me as all your other videos do. I like the cropped version better. Thanks.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Bob!

[@katerinabonatou3023]

With edge ❤.. I love horizontal landscapes

[@borishalas5758]

I prefer the one with the edge although they are both nice in their own way.

[@paulataylor4369]

Love your videos! Cropped version is my vote. More dramatic and powerful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much Paula!

[@michaelfarrell4824]

Great tips as always Mark. For me I find the new remove tool in PS tends to give better results than the LR band-aid for cleaning the image up

[@celinemorisset5533]

Hi Mark, thanks for yet another great video. My preference is the photo with the cropped shore.

[@JohnJones-xy9pg]

Mark, I like the image that's in portrait with the puddle showing

[@bwashburn8499]

Hi Mark.I prefer the shoreline photo as it gives a greater view and size to the finished work.

[@douglasdollars]

Jeeeez. I've been using Lightroom since the first public beta and rearranging panel order was something I somehow missed. Thanks as always!

[@dirkgibbens377]

What a great video! Best step-by-step photo editing video I have seen. Very useful to me because I am just getting started in Lightroom. Thanks! I prefer the uncropped version of the image because I think the cropped version lacks any foreground interest