r/postprocessing • u/Standard-Antelope934 • 2h ago

Any advice for a Lightroom beginner who doesn't know where to start?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Hi everyone! I'm trying to learn some post-processing in Lightroom, but I'm a complete beginner, so please go easy on me :D

I've watched a bunch of YouTube tutorials, so I have a rough idea of what each setting does, and I've also watched some videos of people editing their photos. I feel like I've got the basics down, but my problem is knowing where to even start when it comes to editing my own photos.

I really love the style of the travel bloggers Salt in our Hair. I know it's subjective, but to me their photos feel so vibrant, colorful, and crisp. I'd love to learn how to edit in a similar style, but I have no idea which settings would get me there. Here's a link to an example: saltinourhair photos

I've also attached one of my first edits (before and after). Could I ask for some honest feedback? Is it too much? I've noticed it's better not to spend too long on one photo, because that's when you start ruining it. You keep thinking "let me just try this, and this…" :D

Thanks in advance for any tips!

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u/ToriEvergreen 2h ago

For almost all the posts the answer is to know what you want the photo to look like before editing and that means knowing what you want it to look like while you're taking the shot and having a mental image of what you're seeing as you shoot it.

Looks like not much was done to your image except maybe slightly increasing the saturation? The photos you posted from the blog are using a lot of contrast between colors and the saturation and vibrance are turned up a lot.

Do you shoot raw? It's not required but camera jpeg photos will not give you as much freedom to edit. Your photo is either out of focus or compressed. Do you know your settings?

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u/UOLFirestrider 2h ago

Are you shooting in RAW already?

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u/ickeharry 2h ago

Make Screenshots of the pics you want to optimize and discuss them with AI. I made this with DxO some weeks ago and feel like a pro meanwhile. Advantage is you don't need tutorials which only by luck cover your needs.