9 Crazy Lightroom Hacks Pro’s Know that Beginners Don’t!

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In this week’s episode, I share nine Lightroom hacks professional photographers know that most beginners don't. Over the years Lightroom has improved and expanded it's features greatly, but like most things that experience exponential growth, the user experience has become a bit overwhelming - especially for beginner photographers. In this video, I'll share with you the top nine tricks that have greatly improved my photo editing life that also improved the end result as well. I hope you enjoy this week's video and as always thanks so much for watching! - Mark D.
🖥️ VIDEO CHAPTERS
🔘 Hack 1) 0:29
🔘 Hack 2) 3:00
🔘 Hack 3) 4:52
🔘 Hack 4) 5:56
🔘 Hack 5) 8:51
🔘 Hack 6) 11:39
🔘 Hack 7) 13:12
🔘 Hack 8) 15:03
🔘 Hack 9) 17:21
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[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

✅QUESTION: Did you learn at least One New Editing Tip in this video?

[@kodave1188]

the midtone 🎉🎉🎉

[@KahsiaHartwell]

Yes, the midtone also.

[@stevejohnston7118]

Tone curve.

[@the_rat_run]

A few, I'll have to watch a couple more times for it all to sink in!

[@HeikoSieger]

Tone curve saturation slider

[@iqueque]

A great reminder of things I did know but had forgotten.

[@michaelsmyth3486]

Thanks Mark, the "hack" using the colour mixer for midtone luminance adjustments is brilliant.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

My pleasure!

[@Sparrowhawk1962]

As someone who is fairly new to photo editing (my Z6 was a retirement gift to myself) I find these kind of videos invaluable. You can't make enough of these. Thanks Mark.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks my friend!

[@peterrudolf6780]

As I was watching I kept thinking “oh I know what you are going to say”! Well I did to a point, the before and after I use all the time but always keep it on the side by side, I knew the other views existed, but I didn’t know you could zoom in and slide the image around! It’s something I have wanted for a long time, just like when there is a slider on certain websites to show before and after of noise reduction or a preset! The mid tone adjustment work around… never knew that one 👍🏻, or the tone curve and saturation adjustment. Great video and really helpful, thank you Mark!

[@eiremic]

Your explanation of the midtones and the color mixer is clear and concise. I am going to watch this again and take notes to apply to my photos. I really appreciate how you do these bite sized lessons. Thanks

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Happy to hear it was helpful!

[@mediamannaman]

Yeah, like the other commenters said, this was a very impactful video! I can use many of these tips right now. I'm scanning HUNDREDS of old family photos from before the digital era and am editing every one of them in Lightroom. It is making me VERY familiar with many of the sliders, and some of these tips will give me new superpowers to make my old photos look the best they can. Thanks!

[@RandumbTech]

That midtone tip is GOLD!! Been struggling to get that effect with curves for years... Thank you!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Happy to do it!

[@P_Lapointe]

Thanks Mark! Your channel is a real gold mine for a beginner like me! I like how each and every one of your videos teach us gamechanging techniques and tricks. Thanks for that and keep up your excellent work!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear you're enjoying it!

[@michaelheliker2835]

DOOD.. the midtone hack is outstanding. woah.... so simple and easy to enhance my workflow... thank you!!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Awesome to hear it was helpful!

[@michaelheliker2835]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto it's funny because I am NOT a LR Classic noob at all... I used all the time... I think 7 of your 9 tips are new to me... smh... I know I always have more to learn.. but SHEESH... I came into this video thinking I'd learn 1 or 2 things... lol.

[@jremi]

This is extremely useful. As a relatively new LR user, I am still overwhelmed by the number of tools available and the usefulness of many of them. You just shed a ton of light on many of the tools I was wondering about. Thank you very much!

[@chrishall6364]

Thanks Mark; I wasn’t aware of the saturation slider in the tone curve panel; I’ll certainly be making use of that!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to do it Chris!

[@Shteuf]

My god your photos are amazing Mark, wow.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@b991228]

In Lightroom’s Tone Curve/Point Curve you can also have another way to easily adjust the middle tones. You can put one point at your chosen low middle tone and one point at your chosen high middle tone. This will allow your chosen high-tones and low-tones to be maintained. Then between these two points you place a third point where you can choose to raise or lower this point. These points may also be moved left/low-tone or right/high-tone as well to fine tune the extent of your middle-tones. Additional points for fine tuning can be added as well. It gives you a very useful tip.

[@nedkelly840]

Agreed. The tone curve gives finer control. I set B and W points here too.

[@johnharris6083]

The tone curve saturation tip was new to me. Will be looking at that going forward. However, most of the tips were excellent reminders of things I can certainly make more use of. Great video. Thanks.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks John!

[@viardin1]

Mark, I always learn something listening to you. thank you.

[@timhoeflich270]

Yes the midtone adjust was very neat as was the sharpening mask. I find that I edit almost exclusively with Lightroom but kinda fall into a rut always using the same tools while forgetting about others that are helpful, so yes great stuff.

[@misha4422]

Several little function details I did not know and will aim to incorporate in my use of Lightroom Classic. Thank you.

[@Keith-n7b]

I learnt two new "tricks" which will now become a part of my editing workflow. Thank you so much Mark. To the point and easy to follow as ever. Much appreciated!

[@tommul6078]

Thank you, Mark. I always learn something from your videos. This time it was the remove saturation from a Tone Curve. You mentioned using the Histogram. many people may not realize the Histogram is a powerful tool to adjust the five tones (Blacks, Shadows, MidTones or what Adobe has labeled Exposure, Highlights , and Whites). If one moves your mouse cursor across the graph, it highlights the section you can change there. So it is another place to adjust Midtones.

[@PhreddCrintt]

Superb Mark. Especially the first, mid-tones tip!

[@thaticelandicguy]

great video, love the studio man!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank ya - really appreciate it!

[@michaelt7320]

Thanks, Mark, for a clear explanation of all these powerful tools. The "refine saturation" slider is a great addition to the Tone Curve panel.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

My pleasure!

[@pjmorin3300]

Some good tips! Thank you! The 'visualize spots' tip is most helpful for me!

[@barrycooper5989]

Thanks Mark. A really helpful for someone like me who is learning about Lighttoom all the time.

[@gulloacastro]

I really enjoy your hands-on approach, and the way you go over the different techniques - great work!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@susanfirth2279]

I find these videos so helpful and beneficial. Thank you for sharing Mark. Always learn something new and how/when to use them.

[@darrenconnors4716]

As much as I enjoy all of your videos, I must say this one was the most informative and exactly what I needed today 👏

[@alanbudge]

The midtone tip is superb. The rest I largely knew but had forgotten about. Many thanks for a great refresher.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Happy to do it!

[@davidligon6088]

The best set of Lightroom tips I have seen in quite a while! Thank you!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank you!

[@richmatlock9643]

Thanks, Mark. Some great info that will come in very useful.

[@naguibkerba6100]

Best twenty minutes I’ve spent learning this amazing program. Also thank you for reminding me about PPA

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Happy to do it my friend!

[@rolsonn]

I've used LR for many years. I especially like the tip re: using Color Grading midtowns and luminosity.

[@fitchron]

Thank you! One of your most helpful videos ever! (And they are all helpful.)

[@jdflyer7377]

Long term LR and PS user here, fantastic video. Thank you!

[@4robertdp]

Excellent tips Mark, many thanks for all you do to help photographers!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

My pleasure!

[@L.Spencer]

I think the midtone part was very helpful, I hope I can remember it and use it soon!

[@Mel-95]

Terrific ideas to improve post in Lightroom! Personally, I stay away from curves because I don't understand them. Everything else can go right into the toolbox. Like, now!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Perfect!

[@davebryer6133]

I did know all these things, however, there is a need to help out those who are just starting out in LR, so this was a worthy video, nice job.

[@cecjong]

Thank you Mark, always appreciate your kind and informative videos.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@gamerw1zz]

These tips are going to be game changing! Definitely going in my notes! Excellent Video ❤🎉

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Awesome!

[@gordonneedham7014]

Thanks Mark ... it was all new. 🎉

[@DigitalPhotoGuru]

If you enable Solo Mode and press Option/Alt, you can have two panels open at once if you need it.

[@ourPPA]

Amazing tips! 💡 We learned something. 🙋‍♀🙋‍♂ Thanks for shout, Mark! 🤠

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Love hearing this!! Thanks so much @ourPPA!!!

[@ourPPA]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto You're so welcome! 💖

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

This was a great video for me. 9 simple lessons on how Lightroom works. Will save and watch again to make sure it the learning sticks. How can I get more of these types of lessons? Do you have other videos like this or a book to reference? Really appreciate your approach to teaching these things. Thank you and take care.

[@JRU11]

Fantastic video, thank you!

[@Evilinecka]

Great video! I will be using all of those, thanks

[@kelvinbaggs]

Thanks Mark for another great video. I'm always learning from your videos.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks my friend!

[@rayasiala9375]

Thank you so much for showing that secret about the town curve! That has been so intimidated but now using those two little cheap things you showed me I think I can handle that and maybe get better Your videos are awesome thank you so much!

[@gegu6257]

Thank you for your work Mark! Dont usually write comments, but your videos are always a pleasure to watch, and leave me a bit wiser ;)

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

That means a lot - thank you!

[@alexnewill]

You can ALT+Click on a Develop Module Header to toggle Solo Mode on and off as well, super helpful to jump back and forth if needed

[@scottvolleyball7507]

Another great and useful video

[@ralphpayne6259]

I nearly didn't watch this video! For some reason I was not aware of the refine saturation slider in the time curve - very useful! Couple of good reminders as well. Brilliantly succint video! 👍🏻 Thank you, Mark!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

I'm glad you did and glad you enjoyed it as well!

[@DigitalPhotoGuru]

Point Color Tool is also known as the Targeted Adjustment Tool (TAT) and is also available in the Tone Curve panel.

[@birdie399]

What a fantastic and useful video. Every one of the nine actions you highlighted will make a difference to my editing. Thanks for sharing.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@BelaAcs-m6r]

1-2-4 images are really unique. What I mean is I have never seen them anywhere before. It looks like you constantly upgrade your vision too, I guess.

[@davearchbell9921]

I learned something on every point. Thanks

[@markh2719]

Great video Mark. Very helpful for beginners like myself who are just getting into photo editing.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@scottbohon9474]

Thanks Mark. Great tips and I especially like the midtone adjustment work around! Hey, does your clock need a battery?

[@paganraven2186]

Always excellent content, and well presented. Some great tips, especially the mid tone adjustment and the refine slider in contrast section.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear it was helpful!

[@HeikoSieger]

Thanks for this video - I continue learning new stuff. I must have missed the slider under the tone curve. Great tip! As well as the midtone trick. By the way, playing with negative dehaze and/or clarity can sometimes be helpful.

[@stevengordon2849]

Thanks Mark. I always enjoy your videos and your photography too! I love the LR tips as there is always something new to learn about that package. I acquired a Nikon Z8 last month, returning to the brand I started with 50 years ago when I bought a Nikkormat EL. Keep up the great work. We are in the PNW so next time you come through here to visit the mountains or the coast, let me know and maybe a meal or a stay would be possible. Cheers

[@DuncanMacFarlane-by2ro]

Just excellent !

[@clausgiloi6036]

Great list of tips, thanks Mark!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

My pleasure!

[@erwinbodo8850]

As usual, your video thought me some very useful, new tools.

[@davidkipperman5218]

Great information!

[@TheBottBoys]

Excellent pinpoint descriptions and exactly the tips I needed for my current stage in LR usage. Looking forward to the results. Thank you!!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank so much!

[@traviswyocam4230]

Hey Mark, Just an idea for a future video. Would you please consider making a comparison video comparing editing with Lightroom on a computer vs. an Ipad? I see you as an authority when it comes to landscape photo editing in Lightroom so your perspective would be quite valuable.

[@GlennCurran-zs5no]

Brilliant thanks Mark

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank YOU!

[@prsearls]

These are wonderful, useful tips that can improve one's images. Some of these I use while others are new to me. Great stuff! Thanks you..

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear it was helpful!

[@docholliday1811]

Awesome content Mark! Thank you.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks for watching!

[@lisawells8226]

This was an excellent video. I learned SO MUCH!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank you!

[@jordanking7711]

Another way of setting the White and Black point is to do what they call a 'technical' adjustment. Hold down the Shift key (on Windows, don't know what it is on a Mac) and double click the sider or where it says Whites and Blacks in the Develop module, and Lightroom will adjust it to what it thinks it should be for those areas of the photo.

[@joeyrobertson4926]

Thanks! Each tip was very helpful.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear Joey!

[@darrensussman889]

One point...what you called Point Color is not the actual Point Color feature which targets a very specific color and is a separate tab. What you used is the color selector in the HSL table.

[@cwarren4396]

Excellent!

[@AlmondFarming]

thank you for this excellent and informative video

[@andif8]

This was dope⚡️ 1000-thanks❣️✨

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear it!

[@angshu7786]

What a wonderful video !

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank ya!

[@nokrome]

Event though I’ve been using LR since version 2 and consider myself proficient, this video had some excellent tips that were new to me. Thanks for sharing!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tjsinva]

More magic. 😲 Carry on. 👍🥂

[@astrophyz]

This was great, thanks!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank ya!

[@Rikarious]

That midtones thing is epic 😄

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to hear it!

[@coIorsone]

Damn, you are very good in explaining! Thank you so much for this video!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@allehman5095]

Mark, Another outstanding video. You knock it out of the park with your tutorial videos and they are presented very well. I wish I had you for my Organic Chemistry class. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the public. I do have one question for you. What do you use for your gamma curve and what do you use for your image encoding? I shoot with a Canon R5C and typically use Canon C-log 3 with BT.709 encoding. How can you elevate the dynamic range if desired? Thanks.

[@echoauxgen]

Thanks for the grate share, so much to learn and barely remember!!! I can not remember what I did long ago BUT i have slider under my tone curve, it makes adjustments so much easier one you can brighten an image just using the whites But also get more details in clouds lowering the high lights. The sliders work really good with Milky Way images foreground and sky to get brighter like almost like a day capture BUT with stars.

[@SoCo_Surfcasting]

Great stuff! Thanks!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks a million!

[@cliftonshipway]

Great tips, definitely didn’t know a few of them. 😊

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to hear it!

[@mianshams]

Great video. I am new to photography so all points were helpful to me . Thanks

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Love to hear this!

[@Lightsmith_UK]

Very useful tips, thank you 😊

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@phynx2006]

This was good information thank you Mark👍👍😎

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to hear it!

[@JimEmbury]

Excelllent. Thank you.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Jim!

[@jamesburk3959]

I was tracking everything till I got to tip 8. How have I never seen the remove contrast from my tone curves?! Always learn something new from your videos. Many thanks!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear it was helpful!

[@rrr46060]

great tips Mark, i tend to get stuck in a rut when i do my editing, thanks

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to hear it was helpful!

[@lubos-ro3hy]

Great video and tips

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

great to hear this!

[@mehran_g4933]

thank you It was very helpful.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear!

[@pkmexplorers]

Thanks Mark

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to do it!

[@jasonwhinnery4134]

Great video!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Jason!

[@gabolujan3109]

Thank you!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

o, thank YOU!

[@AlexanderTrizuljak]

Thanks a lot!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to do it!

[@AlexanderTrizuljak]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto Sometimes i am struggling in post with white color balance setting at indoor artificial ambient light. When it comes to theatrical / TV light it is OK (Exterior white balancing is almost perfect on my Z7)

[@astralshore]

You can also just pull the midtones to the right (or left) in the actual histogram itself. Just click the section and drag.