TOP 3 PRO LIGHTROOM techniques to rescue dull, lifeless photos!

[@simon_dentremont]

What are your go-to features in Lightroom? What features would you like to see in educational content in a future video?

[@lionheart4424]

I would love to learn a bit more about your experience in using APS-C cameras vs Full Frame cameras for wildlife. Some say that in newer 40MP FF bodies the cropping is better for subjects like birds, while others say the reach of APS-C bodies is better. I plan to acquire a gear setup for Bird photography and I would appreciate immensely the insights from your experience.

[@GordonFRegan]

I have watched many Lightroom videos but you always seem to pull the rabbit out of the hat so go ahead and surprise me again.

[@rappy90]

How about editing with the tone curve?

[@GenericPast]

I use luminance range a lot

[@raikirik703]

The tone curve adjustment is something I always go to in Lightroom! I would like to learn more about colour grading, calibration and the many masking options available.

[@Photo_doctor]

Some people hide facts, and give only for likes and views. But this man, gives everything he knows to us like how a Dad teaches his sons ❤

[@tlaniimas1154]

Totally agree, Good job Simon!!

[@stsofian]

I recently find this channel and i absolutely agree with that are you saying!! This guy is awesome

[@EckySeptarony]

Bro, this man give me a courage to use higher iso... And its mean a lot for me, as i a budget photographer...

[@SycoRiddim]

I love it here!!

[@viajefamiliar]

Really like how this guy show the info!

[@maxmohawke]

Now that's what I call a useful example on how to use lightroom for a beginner like me. Thank you very much.

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KingKyzn]

This man is so damn good at break down complex things into simple easy to understands points of view. Best photo tip channel on YT

[@MOKhut]

You are not just a skilled photographer, but you are also a professional teacher

[@Bernatchly]

I could unsubscribe to literally every other photographer I follow on here, with the plethora of useful tidbits and tutorials you provide. So happy I found this channel, and thank you for all the work you put into helping people learn new photography & editing tips!

[@simon_dentremont]

Too kind!

[@kenjohnston1257]

I have thought the same thing

[@svaeon]

Wish you were my teacher in school, cuz you got such a talent to explain simple and clear.... You got a talent!❤❤❤

[@selenaplans]

One of the best Lightroom tutorials I've watched thus far. Thank you.

[@bennnnnification]

Only a few minutes in and my (admittedly limited) knowledge of Lightroom has already improved. I usually just whack on some warmth, sharpness and contrast and call it a day. Enlightening to see that you take into account the very same things in Lightroom as you do out in the field i.e light direction, etc. Things I simply didn't think to replicate. As always Simon, an unrivaled communicator in all things photography. Great tips and inside info. Can't wait to get some of my new shots into Lightroom and apply what you show here. 10/10.

[@simon_dentremont]

Too kind!

[@bmylesk]

@simon_dentremont the key phrase you said here was, "there's no right or wrong, it's your art." Very true. Don't get lost in perfection.

[@dubschloss]

To add to the cacophony of praise for this video, I think this is one of the most useful videos on photo editing I've ever seen. I mostly do street photography but these techniques can be applied universally. You do a stellar job of explaining why you do something and exactly how to do it. I have not experimented with gradients much because it's uncharted territory, but you have inspired me to take more creative liberty with my photos. Thank you, Simon. This is, dare I say, masterful advice.

[@brichard11]

Mr. d'Entremont you have no idea how grateful I am for your videos.

[@simon_dentremont]

You are very welcome

[@myboithomas]

19:53 WHAAATT I would've never realized it was that small of a structure it you hadn't said anything. Thank you for this tutorial! Ive been using techniques like this for a few of my last photos but this gave me a much clearer understanding of them. THANK YOU‼️‼️

[@lisaouellette2656]

I could watch hours of this kind of tutorial. I lack vision…all the technical technique in the world is useless without vision. This is so helpful! Thanks!

[@yixunkhoo2705]

Thanks for this video, I’ve been shooting for 6 years and there aren’t many experts out there who give such specific and useful tips that are only learnt through experience. Most KZbinrs only share basic strategies. And you make it all so simple. Kudos to you sir! Subscribed, and keep it up!

[@paulmclinden7046]

One of the best, honest videos on KZbin. Brilliant sir. More of it, please. Simply wonderful.

[@davidgommeren7283]

As much as I'm a purist, it is incredible how much and quick a photo can be improved with post processing software. I've got so many photos which are special because of situation and/or composition, but don't look good because of exposure and light problems. Time to learn post processing!

[@peteg330]

'remember this is your art'. I like that comment as we seem to be bound by what other do or think of your pictures. This is your creation and your art! Thanks Simon, that just reinforced my confidence.

[@simon_dentremont]

Well said!

[@EDKguy]

I've been discouraged about my photos looking flat. You've given me hope and a path toward success. Bless you Sir!

[@SPDRaid3R]

As someone who's spending a lot of time learning Lightroom, I just wanted to say thank you! Your tutorials are incredible for beginners and you clearly have a passion for teaching others!

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad you like them!

[@diegogarces6931]

You're a superb teacher. Not only have I been learning while watching your videos, I've been getting excited about photography. Thank you, sir.

[@RMCProductions]

Thank you Simon. All of this for free, you're amazing!

[@simon_dentremont]

My pleasure!

[@ryanangeli5897]

I CANNOT believe how simple this is. I’m not kidding. When I was trying my hand at photography for the first time about 6 years ago I liked doing long exposure beach photography. I had an immediate instinct for setting up interesting shots. But I noticed how flat the photos came out, and it didn’t look like that in real life. I knew I had to edit. But then also discovered(the hard way)how easy it is to OVER-edit a photo, and the human eye can tell when something looks over-edited and unnatural. I never figured out what I was doing wrong, and, regrettably, sadly, gave up on photography in frustration. Recently I’ve been getting the itch to go back out and try again, having picked up Birding as a hobby(obsession). And seeing this video and how UNBELIEVABLE your photos look with just 2-3 quick and well-placed edits has convinced me. Think I’m going to try again 😉 Well done, sir!

[@simon_dentremont]

Excellent!

[@RufatFarzane]

I'm using Lightroom for quite some time now, but your "sandwich" technique with background only selection was something new that I tried on a few shots edited earlier and it instantly made an impact. Thanks for the guidance and for sharing your experience.

[@MrMGutierrez84]

Simon is my only go to when it comes to photography. Absolutely love his work.

[@WilliamTrostelPhotography]

Even as a lightroom pro this video was a great reminder of the power that gradients can have in my workflow. Thank you!

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lindefraser9148]

After using Lightroom for years, I still learned great tips from this video today. One example is the 'sandwich' technique! Thanks so much Simon!

[@ivank2969]

A man who sees photo editing as I do, well done. Your editing pretty much mirrors my own which I believe makes the images look so natural rather than unnatural as so many photographers on KZbin seem to do these days. Keep up the great work. 👌👍

[@simon_dentremont]

Thanks for that!

[@abeltshimini5750]

Simon you quickly becoming my favorite KZbinr

[@BGTuyau]

It will take several viewings plus note-taking plus experimentation with my own files to fully assimilate and integrate these editing techniques -but, as usual, Simon d'E. offers at no cost a worthwhile lesson in photo editing. Merci BCP, Monsieur …

[@tmsmqwx]

I love the duck photo manipulation. Sometimes you can't even see what a photo is lacking until you see what can be done with it. This is reminiscent of how we used to underexpose slide film to obtain a measure of saturation.

[@randyschwager2515]

This is the most useful and perfectly explained editing video I’ve seen in ages! Thanks!

[@hellmrf]

Even your free ebook is better than most paid material around KZbin. Again, congrats for the work.

[@simon_dentremont]

Wow, thank you!

[@shonpeterson3441]

Thank you for your amazing tutorial!! I’ve been shooting professionally since 2009 and your videos are some of the best tutorials out there. I also appreciate your positively and encouragement!

[@POVjustin]

This has to be one of the best tutorials i have seen on KZbin! Instructions are super clear and you explain everything so well. I love that you explain all your reasoning for what you are doing to the image! Thank you for your hard work on this video!!

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad it was helpful!

[@avranilmaity8211]

The most informative 22 minutes I’ve had on YT about photo editing! 🫡

[@annettegreen8807]

OMG, thank you so much for making this video. These were the MOST useful minutes of photography instruction I've had so far. I did my training way back in the days of film, haha. I have recently begun to learn digital photography and use LRC. This video helped my editing more than I can express. I am so glad I stumbled upon your channel. Thanks for the time you put into helping us newbies--I think I can speak for all of us when I say that you ROCK! I look forward to more "to-the-point", excellently explained videos.

[@teabaggins3517]

Simon deserves more followers.

[@styzr]

More like these, please! Thanks

[@simon_dentremont]

You got it!

[@captaincripple280]

Simon reminds me of fellow Canadian Neil Peart, the tragically deceased superdrummer of the legendary band Rush. Both have been extremely articulate and even-tempered while mastering their arts to the highest degree conceivable. They even look a bit alike. Thanks, Simon, for content that can only be described as stellar. Best, always.

[@simon_dentremont]

Love Rush!

[@captaincripple280]

​@@simon_dentremont Of course you do :) If'n ya wanna behold what they found to be the high point of their career - tens of thousands of certified thong-wearing Brazilians going HAYWIRE as YYZ was played, check out the link at the end. It's goosebump material for anyone with half a pulse of better. The shot framing at around 52 seconds is plain wicked. Brace yourself, sir. Thanks again for changing how I approach snatching photons. I've synthesized parts of your approach with those of another, less technical/more hands-off master to cobble together my own style. It's not unlike the battle of heart and mind so brilliantly depicted in Rush's Hemispheres album and cover art. A cornerstone was getting me off the nonsense emphasis on ISO 100 (or lower, depending on the hardware). That vastly improved, among other things, our rolling road trip shots which before were too often blurry for flippin' obvious reasons. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5a2namlhJiJrZo

[@DjVojto]

tip: instead of dodging and burning piece by piece when it is too much to do you can use gradient filter on whole photo, select range mask to luminosity option on it and slide that right tick to left for selecting only darks or right tick on slider to the left for selecting only lights. apply exposure down or up depending if you want shadows more dark or light parts to brighten.use O to show you the mask. if you slide smoothnes slider to 20 fx, it wil only apply more selectively on what you need to adjust not the whole gradient.

[@mahindra123456789]

When you increased the clarity of the ripples that blew my mind. I never thought of being able to get those details back before. Amazing video!

[@robking9857]

OMG! I have a Nikon D40, a dinosaur by today's standards. What I have learned from your videos has been a blessing to my photography. I even find myself using the Pro camera features on my cell phone camera. And now I am learning how to use real-time features in Lightroom and Photoshop. Your work is amazing and your explanations are so down to earth. Thank you, Simon. Set shutter speed & aperture and auto the ISO is a game changer. The native ISO for my D40 is 200, 400, & 800, each with about 8 stops. I even just ebay'd a 50mm 1.4 lens for portraits and depth of field.

[@timothybrake2371]

The tip about darkening the shadow areas was fantastic! Sometimes, as amateurs, we overlook the finer details that make significant improvements. The "shaping" that this created in your image was just incredible. Thanks again Simon!

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gobot109]

A question I constantly struggle with is “What does a good image look like?” This is just outstanding! Thank you.

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JimD750]

Simon, I want to thank you for making these lightroom videos. You make me want to learn how to really use the program for more than just basic editing. I don't do a whole lot with lightroom other than basic editing. In the past I always edited my photos, and then deleted the RAW photos, unless they were of images that mean a lot to me, like pictures of my family. But I've decided to begin keeping all of my usable RAW images just to use as practice photos.

[@simon_dentremont]

Happy to help!

[@VAhockeyGuy]

YES!! Finally a video by a photographer who is a true artist! Love this video. Thanks so much for posting.

[@simon_dentremont]

You're so welcome!

[@Andy_Thomas]

Rather than subtract from a mask, I tend to use the intersect feature to fine tune a mask. The intersect feature works well when intersecting with a luminance range to specify the highlights or lowlights in a region.

[@chichechich99]

For sure. Nigel Danson showed the gradient + intersect a luminance range in one of his videos and I have found that to be such a transformative tool in my editing kit

[@greggdrake]

Luminance range for the win too. Only thing I'd say differently. This is an excellent video

[@Kreilo2412]

@@chichechich99 Do you have a link for that video?

[@jeffgermanich8105]

I’m under the weather today, but these videos make me want to get outside and have fun 😊

[@simon_dentremont]

You should!

[@Steve-qi7hc]

Excellent, if you right click on the mask you can invert and duplicate it. It works well on radial gradients. More tips please. The post processing is as important as taking the photo.

[@spahtucus]

Great ways to use familiar tools - great value here!!

[@GordonFRegan]

Simon you are a master of techniques. What you do that no one else seems to do is explain why. For novices "why" is just as important. As for future videos I think techniques (post production or in camera) would be something I would like to see. Thanks for doing this amazing video.

[@simon_dentremont]

Wow, thanks

[@peterallen2904]

As a photographer who has been an amateur photographer for many years , working in film and digital and worked for several years as a professional. The only difference between a professional and and an amateur is that one gets paid for his or her work. Being professional does not make you better. In fact, the best photographer I know is an amateur. I know of many professionals who are poor photographers. So many younger, newer camera users think they can make an image purely in Lightroom or Photoshop. Oh! I use both.

[@povilasqw]

I was impressed how well lightroom processes photos, and how accurate automatic tools are, but now I'm mindblown about features and all the possibilities. This might not be the most popular content on your cannel, but I find image processing guides very useful. Great work!

[@MiftahYogi]

Now I know more about the features of Lightroom and about light because photography is about capturing the light but you explain in detail

[@Shiratuu]

Awesome video as always! As someone still learning, your videos are the best at explaining everything but not overexplaining it or losing the point throughout the video. Thank you and keep it up!

[@KarenKaiser]

I have only recently discovered your channel, and I have been binge-watching! I love your teaching style and find the information you provide extremely useful to my photography and processing. Thank you so much.

[@simon_dentremont]

You are so welcome!

[@mondujar279]

Great video again. I sometimes like to add a subtle background glow by adding a radial gradient over the object (bird possibly) then subtract the object and then raise exposure slightly. Gives the effect of a slight light behind the object.

[@simon_dentremont]

Great tip!

[@DarekTube1]

Thats the real photo editing right there... not like most of those guys on YT which just make photos look so unnatural, pretending at the same time that edited picture is better, putting in fact just advanced versions of instagram filters on 😀(which looks awfully anyway)

[@jeffnewman8261]

Great tips Simon! Something that I do is reduce contrast to brighten areas, in conjunction with raising highlights and whites, especially when I'm "adding sunlight".

[@kevinwhite6176]

I think this is a really great tutorial. I've seen a lot of nature and landscape photographers do some very heavy handed lightroom work and yours definitely is more of 'enhancing realism' as opposed to just 'a big flashy landscape'. Both are totally valid and I like both!

[@helenmb61]

Some great ideas here Simon. I use the intersect option with either a brush or gradients on my masks a lot. It's particularly useful with selecting the subject and then intersect with the brush. You just then paint on where you want your adjustment and it doesn't spill out into the background.

[@simon_dentremont]

Great tip!

[@nelsonclub7722]

I love watching theses Amateur vs Pro videos - I've been a pro for 35yrs and I don't do any of these things - never have and never will .

[@eddienyagah]

This man is just heaven sent. That's all I can say to describe him. Thank you so much.

[@jonasvanzweden8249]

Modern bob ross

[@Rusty1843]

I've never taken a photo with intent before I found your KZbin channel. Thank you so much for what you do. I wish I found your channel and photography years ago.

[@simon_dentremont]

You are so welcome!

[@Dave.-.]

Me watching him using fancy tools with ohhhand ahhh but i only have the free version😂

[@odaimohammad3687]

I've watched many Lightroom tutorials and this is the first time I've actually learned something. Thank you!

[@simon_dentremont]

You're very welcome!

[@Resla]

Right before you performed the technique, I would be saying it out loud. But it blew my mind that I never thought of doing this until you said it. Thank you so much!

[@Hash-zw1ju]

Awesome Video. i never have learnt any editing tool or used it effectively. From your video, it is clearly math, logic and common sense

[@Dr3am0fLight]

One of the best Tutorials on editing photos in LR (or any other software with similiar functions and workflows) i have seen so far. Thank you so much Simon for helping us to grow!

[@DarthVeach]

Im not kidding, these techniques blow my mind. I only started using LR a few years ago and had no idea you could do all these things with it!

[@mattklingle7004]

Thank you so much for posting something like this. I think this is going to help me look at my editing differently and really upgrade my work. Thank you again!

[@Jimbam_]

You sir are Adobe and the world of camera settings very own Bob Ross, I’m now watching your videos just because I enjoy them👌🏻😂

[@mjean131]

This... is probably THE most creatively changing (life changing) video I have seen. Thank you Simon!!!! Thank you so much!

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad it was helpful!

[@xwhite2020]

This is a perfect demo for where I'm up to with editing.

[@josephgarza9225]

You are a very good teacher sir, thank you for your time.

[@RobA413]

Excellent! There are many great videos on KZbin showing various workflows in LR, but most of them whilst producing fantastic results, are very long-winded. What cannot be underestimated here is you've created a beautiful end result, but very quickly and efficiently without unnecessary complexity and confusion! As with most things, those who are very talented and skilled at something make it look deceptively easy, but your eloquence, skill and relatable delivery inspire others to give things a try.

[@simon_dentremont]

Wow, thanks!

[@gregscarcella519]

VERY dramatic and impressive editing quickly! I now see how LR tools can be used in concert with one another.....so powerful if done right. I need to make local gradual changes instead of trying to make large global changes.

[@sean19]

I keep watching this video time and time again as it teaches me a lot with regards to lightroom 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@NickInHell666]

Thanks for the video. These methods are so simple yet HUGE on how they impact a dull photo. I am an American that lives in Germany, and while there are many great things to photograph, there are also many dark grey days. This video was exactly what I needed to see. Thanks.

[@WolfQuantum]

Thank you. Clear and not intensely complicated. I've seen too many people making videos where it seems like they are brushing countless little areas and layers upon layers of masking until it's hard to keep track of all they did. These examples show using gradients and masking that are quick and relatively simple. Even the use of the brush tool in the bonus tip was simple and made sense. I'm inspired to go back and work on some images using these techniques. I've used Lightroom for a while, but I am not a fluent expert in it. This is a big help. So, again. Thank you.

[@Unique1Nick]

This is one of the best made „how to“ Lr videos i have ever seen. I really love this channel. 🙏🏻

[@tender.branson]

Thanks! Now I understand what's missing in my photos. It's not just about composition, focus and sharpness. To me its even just 50%. Because what you just did in the video adds another 50% and make these photos really stand out. Amazing. I just don't have this vision. Don't know how I want my normal photos to look.

[@traceybartlam7737]

This is like magic! Incredible the difference it makes, thank you. I don’t have software that can do many of those techniques- yet! It’s annoying that you can’t just purchase rather than having to subscribe but unfortunately that’s the way many software is now.

[@mawavoy]

Simon, thanks for sharing these simple light room editing tips.

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad you like them!

[@VioletGOKU]

This is one of the very few actually useful editing videos on KZbin. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@simon_dentremont]

Wow, thank you!

[@itumelengtshabalala5873]

You have my respect sir, hands down thee best tutorial I have watched in years.

[@simon_dentremont]

Wow, thanks!

[@trevorvonritter]

I actually have so many photos that I thought were hopeless / didn't know how to properly edit that will really benefit from your techniques

[@ThiagoMatuo]

I was just browsing KZbin and started to watch your video, I opened Lightroom to try to use some of your techniques and WOW, what a huge difference! Thanks!

[@lightwaters]

In my experience to make images sharp be mindful to define your whites , black and grey ...Anything on top is just a bonus

[@jrfstudio]

I really appreciate and respect what you are doing for all of us. God bless

[@simon_dentremont]

Welcome!

[@itsmahdisadeghi]

Didn't expect these amazing results from such simple changes applied to the photo. It shows how much skill and experience has to do with work you're doing rather than complex tools and techniques. Please post mkre of these. Thank you

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@chysovana]

this video make my eyes bigger, just a little bit but the photo so impress! thank you.

[@cazzyungklewitz946]

Waiting patiently for you here in Botswana 🇧🇼

[@simon_dentremont]

3 trips next year!

[@boutdoors8234]

Some of the best education on KZbin. Thank you for all your efforts

[@ph_sukhov]

This is the best video on KZbin about color correction in lighting room! Thank you for sharing your knowledge ❤

[@huexley]

Light painting is one of my fav trick !

[@shirishg9]

Underrated video needs more likes on this one

[@randyschwager84]

I’m an experienced Lightroom Classic editor but found your tips to be very helpful and practical! Thanks for taking me along!