Transform Wildlife Photos into Stunning Low-Key Masterpieces | Lightroom & Photoshop Tutorial

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Is this something you would try? I've had requests that I should edit YOUR images in a video...are you interested in that? Join me on a photography workshop: Mattshannon.ca/workshops

[@lukeiamyourfather7736]

Yes, worth trying for sure.

[@noneedtochange9413]

Thought about it...I'm all in.

[@gyratingseacow595]

I'd definitely love some critique of my photos. I have one of a spider that I would be interested to know your thoughts

[@str8boogerflikn102]

i am interested in that. i have wildlife and landscape

[@michelrochon-ti4817]

I would enjoy that, could probably be useful.

[@lukeiamyourfather7736]

I tried searching low-key tutorials for wildlife and there isn't any on youtube that I could find. Only for portrait photography. This was needed

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Yeah, there isn't much out there. Perhaps I will do this video again with more images.....

[@vacanechaser]

simply awesome. this will be helpful for me moving forward. the other video you talked about to go back and watch with the duck helped me tremendously with more confidence in printing my work. always had something lacking but that help and now Im finally selling my work after 20 years in photography. my confidence in the way it looked, to ME was always low and just never pushed for selling my stuff until that video. Thank you for these types of videos.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing that! I'm so glad the videos have been helpful and that you're feeling more confident in your work. Printing and selling your photography is such a big step, and it’s amazing to know that you’re finally putting your incredible talent out there after 20 years. I'm sure you have some impressive work.

[@str8boogerflikn102]

This is a fantastic tutorial in photoshop. I just did some photos with your technique even after they been edited and they look way better than the originals. Please do more photoshop tutorials like this. Landscape ones would be fantastic. Thanks. I learned alot and this has really made my photos pop

[@davehutchisonphotography]

Love the effect Matt. Thanks a lot for sharing the techniques.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Hi Dave, thank you! It's a fun technique that I still need to perfect, but I'm getting there. Some images work best over others to manipulate the light.

[@davehutchisonphotography]

I am looking forward to trying this soon. Thanks again for sharing.

[@wildlifeandnaturebydtb2460]

Congratulations on the steady growth of your channel, Matt! Doing a great job...

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Really appreciate that, thanks for noticing! I don't dare look at my earlier videos. Always trying to improve. I'm excited to see what 2025 will bring!

[@keithmacdonald4805]

Excellent video Matt, some great tips on working with Photoshop that I am going to try I haven't been using any of the processes on Photoshop but I have been doing quite a bit on Lightroom. There has been quite a lot of discussion on some of the KZbin channels regarding editing and some of them saying that it is cheating, I am a firm believer that if it is your image you can do what ever you want to it if it makes you happy. Thanks for sharing and for all that you do to make us better photographers and I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching! I’m glad you found the tips helpful and that you’re experimenting with Lightroom-it's such a powerful tool, and adding Photoshop to your workflow can open up even more creative possibilities. I completely agree with you about editing-it’s part of the creative process and a way to make your vision come to life. Whether it’s a subtle tweak or a dramatic transformation, it’s your image and your art. Photography is about expressing what speaks to you, and I think that's what makes it so special. As for the discussion around editing being 'cheating,' I think it really comes down to intent. If a photographer is editing with the purpose of dishonestly altering reality in a way that misleads or deceives the viewer, I can understand how some might see it as cheating. However, if it’s about creative expression and enhancing what’s already there, then it’s just another way to tell a story. The advancements in technology have definitely shifted trends in photography, and I think that’s part of why there’s a growing movement back to film photography-it emphasizes the importance of intention and the artistry of capturing moments as they are. I'm all over the map. I love shooting film, editing in small amounts, and then the EXTREME! Kinda like Ansel Adams but with photoshop and lightroom instead of a dark room :) Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season! Thanks for being part of the community and for your support!

[@michelrochon-ti4817]

Quite interesting Matt, I'll try and apply that to some of my images!

[@GordonFRegan]

I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for your videos and your engaging presentation style. I particularly prefer the owl in black and white, while I find the color version of the wolf to be more appealing. A few years ago, I created a low-key portrait of my son's Labrador, and I’ve noticed that he has become much greyer since then. I am eager to try your technique on this portrait. Thank you once again for your inspiring content!

[@timagoston4712]

Great video Matt. I know for me improving my post work processing can be challenging to create a vision I see in my mind. This helps expand that vision. More please Cheers

[@RafaelCBeltrame]

Thank you so much for this tutorial!

[@zacdykstra]

Awesome video. Definitely some tricks to think about and play around next time I’m editing. I’ve mostly used Lightroom but have now tried to get more into photoshop after watching a few of your videos.

[@Trish12303]

Great tutorial Matt! I prefer the color version of the images, especially of the wolf. That is an awesome image!! Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@MattShannonPhoto]

I’m glad you enjoyed the tutorial and my wolf images! Another vote for colour version, thanks for the feedback!

[@Trish12303]

@@MattShannonPhotoYou bet!

[@AntoineSteen-f5l]

Hi, Matt. I like the way you edit a picture. This is something I'm really gonna try out, my friend. Thank you very much.

[@deanpratley125]

When I try something like that. I always think of what would be in shadow, and I make sure that is done also. It makes a huge difference. Good tutorial. Thanks Matt.

[@brandensPhotos]

Love that owl shot in color right before you turned it black and white but I like the black and white too Great video man going to do this I don’t do much editing besides moving around sliders 😍🔥😍🔥😍

[@hamiltonsilvester0307]

Seus editoriais são excelentes, com resultados aplicados nas fotografias do jeito que eu gosto. Inclusive já apliquei nas minhas. Obrigado!

[@siegfriedgrupp6238]

Hello Matt, it's another very nice video, very constructive, great!! I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, see you in the next video

[@guitaristwagner]

I love watching other photographers workflow in photoshop. I personally am a huge fan of luminosity masks and zone masks within the luminosity mask panels, but love seeing how others can achieve the same result without having to purchase those photoshop plugin panels. Personally I can watch photoshop edits all day long and not get bored lol

[@neujus]

The colored wolf turned out really well! Thanks for the tutorial!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you! I was skeptical that others would be into this as much as I enjoy creating low key images. Happy to hear your feedback. Thanks for watching!

[@coffeeatitsbest1500]

Wow, I think I like the Low-Key over the high-key versions but it depends on the shot

[@michaelbierbaum-z5x]

Wow very nice Matt well done, thanks for sharing.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Great to hear thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! Thanks for watching

[@rgarlinyc]

Yeah, these are some things I will surely try - in both PS and LR; very inspiring, thanks a lot! Also, liked the B&W on your first pic, but the color on the Wolf. One Q - any reason you don't Smart-Obj your layers in Photoshop before you make your changes?

[@BrendanReevesPhotography]

Great video, I will try this. Just wondering do you mostly edit in photoshop or Lightroom?

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Glad you liked the video! I would say I use photoshop more than lightroom now. I always start in lightroom, organize my work, do some adjustments in lightroom and finish the image in photoshop. Especially if I need to do detail work.

[@jean-jacquesrubinfeld218]

hey hey great job Matt bravo

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Awesome, thanks for the encouragement, and thank you for watching!

[@randyschwager84]

WOW! Fabulous info! I’d love to see more of this as done in Lightroom . Thanks for sharing your amazing talent!

[@steverich_photography]

Thank you, Matt! Your work is exceptional. Your explanation was particularly insightful.

[@davidligon6088]

Awesome technique. I’m gonna try it!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Great to hear! It's a fun process. enjoy!

[@noneedtochange9413]

I want to see more!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Fine....I'll come out with another video next week. Will that make you happy??

[@LamJiang]

wow very nice bro

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you! Cheers

[@roychavez519]

I like the awl most.

[@thomastuorto9929]

Nice work. Thanks for the vid.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

You are very welcome, thanks for watching!

[@sundeepsembi6091]

That was outstanding. Thank you

[@beckymenendez7494]

Hi, from Whittier, California.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Hello! Great to have you on the channel from Whittier California! Thanks for watching.

[@Aviator168]

Like to see a video on how this is done with DarkTable

[@martincregg]

Nice

[@KurtBliss]

wow

[@MattShannonPhoto]

wow is good 🙂. I'll take it, thanks for watching!

[@KurtBliss]

@MattShannonPhoto yes it's good. Learning a lot from your tutorials, thank you 😊

[@MattShannonPhoto]

@@KurtBliss You are too kind, thank you! Cheers

[@roychavez519]

What about High Key photo?

[@MattShannonPhoto]

I suppose I will have to do another video specific to High Key!

[@guymatson7731]

Color version for me

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Are you referring to the Wolf picture or the Owl? Thanks for the feedback!

[@guymatson7731]

@ I am referring to both

[@Kentsj]

Excellent in all regards!! Thanks

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you very much! Thanks for watching

[@ifell3]

Probably could do most of this in gimp too.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

I've never used gimp. Is it still a free editing software? Perhaps I should give it a go and see what it can do. Thanks for sharing.

[@ifell3]

@MattShannonPhoto yes definitely, new update to 3.0 should be around the corner. It does have it's limitations but then it makes your wallet feel lighter aha

[@MattShannonPhoto]

@@ifell3 Anything to help the wallet, I totally get it!

[@cgan2013]

I’m sorry, but those halos created around the owl (and wolf, to a lesser degree) are off putting to me. Yes, I love the idea of creating drama thru adjustments and lighting, even manipulating the lighting. But those halos you created scream poor Photoshop! The final images of the owl and wolf you show in the lead up to the video don’t show any halos….so why don’t you show that in your work up?

[@brandensPhotos]

Love that owl shot in color right before you turned it black and white but I like the black and white too Great video man going to do this I don’t do much editing besides moving around sliders 😍🔥😍🔥😍

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Great feedback thanks! A check goes to color :) Give this a try, it's a fun edit to experiment with.