The post processing of an underwater photo: third part
The post processing of an underwater photo: third part
Camera calibration tab
We have seen the different profiles available in this tab ( standard, landscape, etc).
But, another set of sliders can be used to modify the primary colors :
Red, Green et Blue (RGB)
Therefore, we can play with the shadow’s tints in this tab.
A modification on one of these sliders directly impacts the primary color, but also the secondary colors that follow.
In this example, I would love to bring back a bit of red on this soldierfish that’s going too much to the yellows for my taste.
You can see that with the before/after comparaison, it has also had an impact on the warm tints of the coral. Don’t hesitate to vary these sliders, even towards the extremes to be able to clearly see the possibilities of this tool.
Before calibration
After calibration :
At this stage of the processing, most of the work has been done :
The global aspect of the picture is fine, but I still have a ton of steps possible, especially with these tools :
Local Actions
Gradien filters
I won’t be going in depth with the localised actions tools in this tutorials, neither will I on the Transformation, Details and Effects tab. But I invite you to try them out, it’s a great way to learn.
Gradient filter tool
The gradient tool is, as it’s name says , a progressive filter.
This filter is rotatable in any direction, and it’s graducation can be modified as you wish.
It’s especially efficient in landscape photography, to work with skys for example
In underwater photography, it’s usefull to work beneath the surface.
This tool can be found in the localised tools tab : It’s the small rectangle surrounded by red, as you can see on the photograph below.
After clicking on this small rectangle, a bunch of sliders appear .
It’s almost the same sliders as on the general tab.
Before modifying anything, make sure it’s positionned where you want to on the picture.
For this, click on the area of the image where you want the filter to start, then, move the mouse where you want it to stop
Which should give you the following :
3 lignes appear. All these modifications will be 100% above the ligne at the top.
The filter will be graduated in a progressive maner from the top line to the bottom line that’s at 0%.
Therefore, everything under the bottom ligne won’t be modified.
Of course, the distance between both of those lignes, can be adjusted according to your needs.
Here is an example of the results we can have :
On the photograph below, here are what has been modified :
exposure
contrast
highlights
clarity
saturation
All of these actions/modifications had the effect of demonstrating an extra texture to the water surface while retrieving some informations from the sun’s highlights.
Results of all these steps :
The Lightroom process is now finished !
Below, here is the final result :
Retrieving the informations and managing the contrasts and colors lead to this final image.
Eventhought it’s not quite like the RAW file, it’s quite similar to the scene I remember seing while I was there.
To conclude with Lightroom Post-processing
The digital post-processing of a RAW file is similar the the development of a FILM photograph back in the days.
After all, the dark room has now been collapsed into a computer.
To conclude on the lightroom post threatment
Digital post-processing ( I am talking about processing not retouching ) is now a huge part of the creation process of a photography masterpiece for which the RAW is imply the material used to capture the scene during the shooting.
Digital processing sets itself in a suite of actions called workflow, who aims at subliminating the image by appealing to the emotions, the vision, the feelings and the experiences of the photographer.
This tutorial is to be seen as a guide
It’s very important that you get use to working on a post-processing software.
There is not secret, the more you work on your images, the better you will become !
Your sensibility will evolve according to your “know-how” and will get better as time goes by.
But, you will need to spend a serious amount of hours of this fastidious job ! It will then become a real pleasure as you will be the master of your own results.
The knowledge and experiences you will acquire in digital post-processing will change the way you photograph
You won’t photograph to get a simple picture at the back of your live-view anymore !
You will now photograph according to your camera’s possibilities but also the available ones in post-production.
Always remember this :
All that can be done on the field, has to be done on the field !
The post processing of an underwater photo: third part
The post processing of an underwater photo: third part
Camera calibration tab
We have seen the different profiles available in this tab ( standard, landscape, etc).
But, another set of sliders can be used to modify the primary colors :
Red, Green et Blue (RGB)
Therefore, we can play with the shadow’s tints in this tab.
A modification on one of these sliders directly impacts the primary color, but also the secondary colors that follow.
In this example, I would love to bring back a bit of red on this soldierfish that’s going too much to the yellows for my taste.
You can see that with the before/after comparaison, it has also had an impact on the warm tints of the coral. Don’t hesitate to vary these sliders, even towards the extremes to be able to clearly see the possibilities of this tool.
Before calibration
After calibration :
At this stage of the processing, most of the work has been done :
The global aspect of the picture is fine, but I still have a ton of steps possible, especially with these tools :
Local Actions
Gradien filters
Gradient filter tool
The gradient tool is, as it’s name says , a progressive filter.
This filter is rotatable in any direction, and it’s graducation can be modified as you wish.
It’s especially efficient in landscape photography, to work with skys for example
In underwater photography, it’s usefull to work beneath the surface.
This tool can be found in the localised tools tab : It’s the small rectangle surrounded by red, as you can see on the photograph below.
After clicking on this small rectangle, a bunch of sliders appear .
It’s almost the same sliders as on the general tab.
Before modifying anything, make sure it’s positionned where you want to on the picture.
For this, click on the area of the image where you want the filter to start, then, move the mouse where you want it to stop
Which should give you the following :
3 lignes appear. All these modifications will be 100% above the ligne at the top.
The filter will be graduated in a progressive maner from the top line to the bottom line that’s at 0%.
Therefore, everything under the bottom ligne won’t be modified.
Of course, the distance between both of those lignes, can be adjusted according to your needs.
Here is an example of the results we can have :
On the photograph below, here are what has been modified :
exposure
contrast
highlights
clarity
saturation
All of these actions/modifications had the effect of demonstrating an extra texture to the water surface while retrieving some informations from the sun’s highlights.
Results of all these steps :
The Lightroom process is now finished !
Below, here is the final result :
Retrieving the informations and managing the contrasts and colors lead to this final image.
Eventhought it’s not quite like the RAW file, it’s quite similar to the scene I remember seing while I was there.
To conclude with Lightroom Post-processing
The digital post-processing of a RAW file is similar the the development of a FILM photograph back in the days.
After all, the dark room has now been collapsed into a computer.
To conclude on the lightroom post threatment
Digital post-processing ( I am talking about processing not retouching ) is now a huge part of the creation process of a photography masterpiece for which the RAW is imply the material used to capture the scene during the shooting.
This tutorial is to be seen as a guide
It’s very important that you get use to working on a post-processing software.
There is not secret, the more you work on your images, the better you will become !
Your sensibility will evolve according to your “know-how” and will get better as time goes by.
But, you will need to spend a serious amount of hours of this fastidious job ! It will then become a real pleasure as you will be the master of your own results.
The knowledge and experiences you will acquire in digital post-processing will change the way you photograph
You won’t photograph to get a simple picture at the back of your live-view anymore !
You will now photograph according to your camera’s possibilities but also the available ones in post-production.
Always remember this :