Lightroom’s Contrast slider is the most frequently used tool for editing images than can benefit from a boost in contrast but, unfortunately, this approach provides far less control than the other methods you’ll learn today by watching this tutorial from the popular PHLOG Photography YouTube channel.

Instructor Christian Mohrle has set his sights on being the best landscape photographer in Germany, even though he doesn’t make his living with a camera. In the video below he explains eight techniques for introducing more contrast that he greatly prefers to the limitations of Lightroom’s Contrast slider that you’ve be using until now.

Mohrle explains the process like this: “Instead, I use Tone sliders like Highlights, Shadows, Whites, Blacks, and even Exposure to more precisely target the tonal ranges you want to change.” His goal for the dramatic sample shot is to make the image even more impactful by bringing down exposure, improving Clarity and Dehaze, modifying midtone and color-range contrast, and improving color luminance contrast.

The 12-minute episode also explains an interesting technique for managing contrast through the use of split toning and reveals how a quick histogram trick contributes to the process. He begins by carefully bringing down the shadows without sacrificing important details in these portions of the frame.

The next step is increasing the highlights to significantly distinguish between the brighter and darker tones in the image. He also pushes the whites, taking care to avoid clipping, and illustrates how Lightroom will let you know when you’ve taken the highlight and shadow adjustments too far.

Mohrle’s histogram trick is super simple and helps you maintain control throughout the eight-step process, and he explains it like this: “Did you know that you can actually drag the histogram? If you want to make midtones a little brighter, for example, simply drag the histogram to the right.”

Lightroom will then automatically change the tonal sliders accordingly (whether you’re dragging the histogram to the left or to the right). As he says, this is important “because enhancing contrast is all about spreading the histogram” and he demonstrates why.

There’s much more to learn as the video proceeds, and Mohrle walks you through all the straightforward adjustments. Once the video concludes head over to his instructional YouTube channel that’s full of more post-processing tips and techniques.

And don’t miss a tutorial we featured recently with another Adobe expert who explains why it’s time for some belated spring cleaning if your Lightroom catalog is ” freaking disorganized mess.” Then he demonstrates how to clean it up once and for all.

Today’s quick tutorial from German pro Benjamin Jaworskyj explains what he considers to be the most effective composition techniques for inexperienced photographers, and he kicks off the lesson with this promise: “You’ll learn how use lines, balance, depth, and perspective to transform your images from average to awesome.”

Ben is a self-taught German photographer and educator who travels the world capturing compelling images with a unique, polished look. He also posts straightforward videos that share his experiences, technical tips, and rare mistakes to help other shooters elevate their skills with whatever gear they own.

This nine-minute tutorial builds on Ben’s previous installment of a two-part beginners guide to composition, and we recommend watching the introductory episode first if you’re absolutely new to our craft. Just visit his popular YouTube channel and scroll through the videos. The first session discussed the Rule of Thirds, explained the power of grids, where to set the horizon within the frame, and more.

Ben acknowledges the importance of camera settings and other technical matters, but he insists that thoughtful-and-precise framing is what enables you to showcase your creative vision. In fact, “a very slight change in vantage point can lead to a very different and more captivating composition.”

The trick involves what is basically a more advanced way to employ the familiar Rule of Thirds, in which the frame is divided by two vertical and two horizonal lines. But instead of concentrating on regions within the frame, this time it’s all about the “crossing points” identified by four yellow dots where the lines intersect in the center of the screen.

Ben put’s it like this: “I try to move myself and the camera position to where these crossing points occur.” He demonstrates the concept with a landscape scene that includes a prominent church in the background, and Ben begins by precisely positioning this key element atop the lower right crossing point.

Then he experiments by moving the church to the top right, top left, and bottom left crossing point to demonstrate the impact of each composition on the final result. Ben continues with more photos and other key considerations, and his claim is not that one approach is always better than the others, but rather that it’s up to you to determine the specific look you prefer depending upon the specific scene at hand.

There’s much more to learn about basic photography techniques on Ben’s popular YouTube channel so pay a visit and explore.

We also recommend watching an eye-opening a tutorial we featured with a professional travel photographer who shares his seven favorite techniques for capturing “authentic moments” of your journeys.