Simple Photo Editing Tips That Make A Big Impact

[@JeffSmudde]

the "lights out" option in lightroom (press "L" twice) is also a super helpful tool. By default it makes the entire background black, where you can only see the photographs and masks out all the lightroom interface and window bars and such. You can change the tone of the "lights out" to white in the preferences of lightroom, if I remember correctly, it's in the "interface" portion.

[@JeffSmudde]

Looking at a big group of photos with the "lights out" on white really helps see consistencies or lack thereof in that grid view, but also isolates the image when in develop.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Awesome. Great point Jeff. I never thought about using the lights out view. I’ll have to take a look.

[@tilerman]

Wow, thanks mate, that's a really cool tip, and yes, you can change background from default black to white preference/interface. Cheers buddy!

[@filmhowyalike]

Just a note about background colors and Instagram: I know, Kyle, you manually add white borders to your photos when you post. But just want to call out people shouldn’t assume Instagram will display photos against a default white background otherwise, because the IG app takes advantage of a user’s OS theme preference. That is to say, if a user has selected “Dark Theme” for their OS, IG will render black backgrounds. Conversely for white theme, users will see a white background. So as a photographer if you want to control exactly how your pictures are presented, you should manually add the borders prior to posting 👍🖼 I would suggest changing your phone to “Dark Theme” to see what a difference it can make to the presentation of your posts.

[@KyleMcDougall]

For sure. It’s a great point. Thanks!

[@skypekai]

Adding white borders is literally adding Nothing to your picture in attempt to make it look better. Just makes the picture looks even less impactful because you make it smaller.

[@khaiphong1]

I have never thought about changing the canvas background just becuase I thought it was "meant to be like that". But you have given me a great tip and I think this is a very valuable tip. Thank you

[@KyleMcDougall]

It’s an easy one to miss. Glad this helped, Jackie!

[@Zero-yd7dm]

That first tip (editing on different color backgrounds) I accidentally discovered a few days ago and it made a HUGE difference. I upload to mostly white backgrounds and I used to edit on medium gray, and never understood why I was excited about the edit ....until I looked at it posted. So I changed the background to white and suddenly everything looked right. I'm glad you're sharing this tip -- also thanks for explaining it because I had not thought about 'why' it was making such a big difference.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Chris! Happy it helped. Such a simple one, but it can have a drastic impact if you're editing on the wrong background.

[@MescalinPlayer]

You are an outstanding educator. Thank you for sharing your experience with everyone.

[@SatanSupimpa]

In the pairing of the truck and motel room pictures, besides the color, for me what really make them work together are the slanted truck and lamp.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you. An element that I enjoy as well. 🙂

[@Phulax.]

It's a good day when Kyle uploads!

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙏

[@gorakphoto]

Thank you so much for this video. I found so much of this helpful particularly, as I start to embark on book & zine making, your section on collections. I've not used this before but I'm sure it will now become a favourite. Thank you.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kapurar]

Thank you Kyle for these fantastic tips!

[@vlao]

I usually do smal prints for sequencing, but it’s refreshing to see tips to do it digitally. A weapon to the arsenal. Helpful, thanks!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Vlad.

[@jhogan54321]

Excellent. Thanks so uch, a really valuable guide.

[@BryanBirks]

Used to do the exact same thing with the histogram as if the histogram knew when a good photo would appear. Absolutely ridiculous that I even thought that way but goes to show how simple things can go unnoticed.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Crazy, right? Funny how you can get so stuck on certain tools and features. At the end of the day, it’s all about how the image looks.

[@jnrickards]

I'll use my histogram as a final check because I edit during the day or at night. The overall balance may be right but if I edit during the day and view at night, it might look too dark and visa versa and the histogram will help me find the balance. Those of us who don't use professional art monitors and calibration devices, we have to find other ways to find the right lightness or darkness of the overall image.

[@tilerman]

Kyle, this is a masterclass. I watch so many lightroom tutorial videos and every now and again one hits the spot, and this tutorial definitely hits the spot. Thank you for your tutorials and i also note you reply to many comments. Keep up the good work brother, awesome stuff, liked and subscribed.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching.

[@carbonejack]

Great practical advice. Love your videos. Thanks.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks for watching, Jack.

[@LarryManiccia]

Really enjoying the channel Kyle. Your videos are super practical with great content.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad to hear it!

[@tdalton854]

Well that was not what I was expecting. It was way better. Stuff I have not really thought about. Especially using the reference function for consistency. Many Thanks

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed, Tim!

[@kylerittweger]

i would love to see a video on your process on file management/storage!

[@KyleMcDougall]

I’ll keep that in mind for the future.

[@mj3846]

This information was golden! Thanks!!!!

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome.

[@rolfmeier8469]

These are really some excellent advices. They are far more important than many techniques in editing photographs. Very inspiring. Thanks a lot!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Rolf.

[@KGeorge-1]

Kyle- @ 5:29 approx, you said "editing your photographs "based on histogram and not your eyes...!" This is one of my biggest faults with regards to editing. Too many times I do just that, (adjust the histogram) because I care too concerned what others think would be cool and forget the value it had to me and the way I saw or remembered it. This comment brought me back to reality! I like your blend of film and digital. It's unique. I love film, 35mm specifically and wish I could blend it with digital as well as you do. I really enjoy your channel, thanks!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Kevin! Glad you can relate. I think a lot of us can get wrapped up in the tech details, and forget that what matters most is what we see with our eyes, and what looks good to us.

[@frame-lines]

Great video Kyle. I always edit in lightsout mode with a white background in lightroom. I find it especially useful for seeing edge contrast. -Shane

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Shane! Yeah, lightsout mode is something I need to use more often.

[@scottyharp]

Good to learn about the REFERENCE tool. I think that'll help me a lot to help find a cohesiveness in my images.

[@privatei4772]

Great video Kyle, love watching you work with Lightroom. Your work flow is structured and well executed. I’m wondering if your planning any more Advanced work flow videos, maybe showing your culling work flow!

[@tuckerparsons9182]

wow, I'm new to photography & Lightroom... I learned so much about the editing color background and how the grays look so different depending on your background, holy crap thanks for the content.... 1st video I've seen from your account, can't wait to watch more videos

[@iqueque]

An excellent and original set of editing ideas. I will certainly adopt the white background, having always used dark grey and sometimes been disappointed by the reproduction in print. And have previously used the compare mode which is not as useful as reference view for making adjustments to match a reference. Many thanks, and please keep making videos, especially about processing concepts.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@MichaelMasaki]

Kyle does it again! Really enjoy his videos and he is a great teacher. Can't wait to see a photobook by this legend.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Michael. Book announcement hopefully soon.

[@TheZachMendez]

The quality of your videos & channel overall is really inspiring. This video, in particular, is so insightful and refreshing. Thanks for your work!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Zach. I appreciate that. Glad you’re enjoying!

[@TommyGrisselFilms]

the statement about the histogram was what I needed to hear, great video man

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers. Glad you found it helpful!

[@nogum100]

love prairie gothic. thanks for the tips kyle!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers! And yes, excellent book.

[@mattbray_studio]

such a goldmine of a video

[@johndwilliams]

Unusual but really practical tips.

[@rgarciamainou]

What a great video. I really like your way of putting things up. I’ll use that Reference View more often, for sure. Thanks Kyle.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you found it helpful. Reference view is priceless!

[@tsvetomilsemkov2527]

This video was pure gold ! So useful ! Thank you, Kyle

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad it was helpful!

[@adamremnant9479]

Great stuff. Thanks Kyle!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Adam.

[@damonliew3504]

Reference view is so simple, yet useful

[@KyleMcDougall]

So great. One of my favourites.

[@romgostomski1677]

Some great and useful tips. Very timely. Thanks Kyle!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Rom.

[@steveblackwell4395]

Great to see George Webber's Prairie Gothic on your desktop. One of my favourite books by a great photographer and terrific guy.

[@KyleMcDougall]

It’s probably my favourite at the moment. Such a great body of work.

[@steveblackwell4395]

@@KyleMcDougall I saw George present on this a couple of years ago. Some great stories. It's on KZbin. kzbin.info/www/bejne/inbUo4SaaJuKmsU

[@lightfusegetaway]

Looks like you've been to Bowie, Az. I have a pic of that same abandoned GAS DIESEL Gas station. Right on.

[@TomNorthenscold]

Thank you for this one! I’ve been guilty of being a slave to the histogram. I am going to take your advice and free myself from editing to the histogram.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Tom. Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@ashleysgaze]

Thanks Kyle! 🙏📸

[@KyleMcDougall]

You’re welcome.

[@martinparker5872]

Hi great video love the techniques used here. Good luck with your book. Thanks for making this.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Martin.

[@tundrusphoto4312]

Thank you for another great video. Helpful tips and an interesting perspective on editing. A special shout out to the seven dolts that downvoted the video.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@AtomicPixel]

Such solid tips brother! I always did find photo brightness on Instagram a challenge and the background I edit on in Lightroom just might be the ticket!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Definitely something to check out if you haven’t been setting it intentionally!

[@AtomicPixel]

@@KyleMcDougall now if only fcpx had a white interface. Lol

[@GitaClaassen]

Enjoyed this thoughtful video. Great job!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you!

[@mabfilm]

This was incredibly helpful.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed this one, Michael.

[@hmuz8388]

4:53 the chimneys on the right are giving the finger lol

[@Sunday_Jazz]

Amazing insights dude! Thanks 🙏

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@gavinkenny9645]

Another great video Kyle!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Gavin. 🙏

[@MindTrailer]

Thank you. Truly useful.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad it was helpful!

[@usefulidiot00]

Prairie Gothic is top 3 all time best photo books for me - Webber is a master.

[@KyleMcDougall]

It’s so great. Possibly my favourite book at the moment.

[@maximvdn]

I guess it's time to use LR catalogue for my personal work

[@petertaranscorsese2900]

Some great advice - Thanks

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Peter.

[@rogerhyland8283]

Loved this. Very helpful

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed, Roger.

[@jordysanchez2815]

I've always been curious as to if cpl filters are beneficial in film photography. Would be awesome to see some shots of yours with and without a cpl filter and if using one for film actually makes any difference in the end, I think it would make for an interesting video.

[@richardrizzo_photography]

very very helpful Kyle, thank you.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Rich. 🙏

[@teenylank]

Great video, thanks so much!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Zach.

[@chocolateanddutchy]

What kind of editing program would you recommend? This week I will be having my very first camera and I want to start making photos but also start editing them.

[@KyleMcDougall]

You can't go wrong with Adobe Lightroom. It'll take a bit to learn, but it'll do everything you need it to.

[@chocolateanddutchy]

@@KyleMcDougall Thank you for taking the time to respond. WIll definitely get it 😊

[@yetijpg1427]

You might have said this in the vid, or it might be a dumb question but would you edit in very well lit area or low lit area

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yeah, this is definitely something that is important. I think the most important thing is no direct light falling on your screen, and not to have your environment too dark. I also have a neutral wall colour and a monitor light behind. I can talk about it in a future video.

[@piotrkosky7937]

Dude! You speakers are mixed up, L vs R. I saw that and I had to check mine.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Really? Hmmm, didn't ever even think of them having a specific side.

[@benjaminfinley100]

I have a negative lab pro question if you're able-When I convert the image and apply all the adjustments, using lightroom for anything after that is all opposite. Exposure up makes the photo exposure go down, white balance to the right makes it cooler, etc. Do you know of a way to fix this?

[@KyleMcDougall]

Before you exit out of NLP, you have to also make sure you select 'save a copy as a tif' in the drop down menu at the bottom. Then you work off of that file. Otherwise the file you're editing is the inverted file, and that's the reason all the adjustments are backwards.

[@benjaminfinley100]

@@KyleMcDougall I'll give it a try! Thank you so much!

[@contaxpaulharrison942]

Very interesting, I know what you mean about the histogram.

[@HaroldEscalona]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@Ben-jv1fy]

can i just say, that's a dope shirt. what is that?

Don't your eyes get tired when editing on the white background?

[@ivansakov886]

👍

[@Notmy00000]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍