One big advantage of today’s sophisticated post-processing software is that there are usually multiple methods and tools for accomplishing the same task. And oftentimes the technique that works best for one type of image is not the best choice for another.

The video below demonstrates eight ways to get the job done, whether your goal is to boost contrast or reduce it depending upon the specific effect you’re trying to create. This tutorial from photographer Mike Rogala comes with the warning that there’s a good chance that you’re doing it wrong.

Rogala puts it like this: “There are several ways you can change the mood or the punch of a photo, just by adding or subtracting contrast.” The obvious choice for many photographers is the Contrast slider. Unfortunately, according to this post-processing expert, the Contrast slider is rarely the best choice—even though it’s the most common tool employed by beginners.

Rogala explains why this ubiquitous approach provides very “little control over where and to what level the contrast will be applied.” That’s because it adds or subtracts contrast globally instead of limiting the enhancement to exactly where it’s needed. Worse yet, this simplistic slider modifies highlights, shadows, and midtones equally throughput the frame.

A second technique involves the use of Highlight and Shadow sliders to get the job done. Rogala demonstrates why this approach provides far more control. The use of Lightroom’s Whites and Blacks sliders is another way to increase or decrease the effect—working in much the same way as playing around with highlights and/or shadows. There is one significant difference, however, and Rogala explains what this is.

Rogala discusses the importance of paying close attention to the histogram when adjusting contrast with the four sliders mentioned above. You’ll also learn how to use them individually or in tandem to achieve the best possible results when editing different types of images

At this point there are still four remaining techniques worthy of consideration, depending upon the specific goal you have in mind. The bottom line is this: You may want to forget about the Contrast slider and use one of the seven other methods that Rogala explains in barely eight minutes.

Then head over to his instructional YouTube channel where there is much more to learn about shooting and editing techniques that deliver superior results.

And on a related note, don’t miss the earlier tutorial we featured with another accomplished pro who demonstrates how to capture sensuous high-contrast b&w boudoir photographs with simple gear by window light.

The failure to attain precise focus is a sure way to ruin an otherwise great photo, but fortunately there are post-processing methods to sharpen blurry images IF you use the right tools. Taking the wrong approach, however, will only make things worse.

We promise that  you’ll never look at sharpening the same way again after watching this eye-opening tutorial from acclaimed landscape photographer Mark Denney—especially after experimenting with the process on your own images.

Sharpening soft photos is one of the most important image-editing tasks, and there are varying opinions about the best way to proceed. Denney quickly cuts through the grease and introduces the 14-minute episode like this: “I’ll share with you a technique that’s seldom discussed, but it produces the best results in my humble opinion.”

Denney uses Lightroom to demonstrate his “foolproof” method, while noting that it’s equally effective with any software you use. The conventional approach is to open Lightroom’s Details panel and crank up the Sharpening slider, and then hold down the Option key while dragging the Masking slider over so that everything in white is where the sharpening is applied.

This may be a “decent” technique, but Denney explains why it falls short. He says that with this  method “you’re sharpening the entire scene, and that isn’t how the human eye interacts with a photograph.” His explanation goes like this: “When we see an image our eye naturally goes toward the brightest area of that scene or the area that’s the most detailed and enhanced.”

In other words, if everything within the frame is equally sharp, “the eye just wanders around” and that’s counterproductive for creating a compelling visual flow and telling a story with a photograph.

By now you’ve probably guessed that Denny’s technique involves selectively targeting and sharpening a specific element (or elements) in an image, while letting the rest of the shot recede. By employing this localized approach you’ll repair blur only where it’s distracting, thereby accentuating the key subject of a shot.

This method requires a bit more work, but it’s the only way to go if optimum results are your goal. There’s much more to see and learn on Denney’s instructional YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out.

We also recommend watching a tutorial we featured with another accomplished pro who demonstrates how the creative use of shutter speed settings enable you to up your game and capture landscape photographs with a unique look.

Are you one of those photographers who always shoots Jpegs because you think editing Raw files is beyond your skills? If so you’re not alone, even though there are significant image-quality benefits to shooting in Raw.

This beginners Lightroom post-processing guide will change your mind by demonstrating how easy it is to edit Raw files for light, color, and detail. The comprehensive lesson runs about 15 minutes so we suggest taking a few notes, but by the time the video concludes you’ll no longer be a beginner.

Instructor Pablo Garcia was trained as an engineer, but these days he says, “photography is my creative outlet.” He posts tutorials in both English and  Spanish  that are designed to help inexperienced photographers improve their shooting and post-processing skills. Unlike other lessons for novices, however, Pablo typically takes a deeper dive into powerful techniques that are very easy to achieve.

He kicks off today’s video like this: “If we capture our photos in Raw format we have a lot of latitude in Lightroom or other editing tools to create a complete image with the WOW factor.” He demonstrates a straightforward workflow from beginning to end by transforming a boring photo into a superb attention-grabbing image. Then you’ll be well equipped to do the same.

Pablo says he chose enhancements to light, color, and detail for this primer because these simple adjustments are easy to make and will greatly improve just about any image captured in the field—like with his sample photograph of a Stellar’s jay perched on a tree in the mountains just outside Albuquerque, NM.

The goal for this Raw edit is simple: bringing this beautiful bird to life and making it stand out from the background, with a few Raw edits that anyone can accomplish. Pablo’s subject is rather small in the original photograph, even though it was captured at the long end of a 100-500mm telephoto zoom—equivalent to 800mm on his crop-sensor camera. Thus, he begins with a bit of cropping to make the bird more prominent by eliminating part of the surrounding scene.

Then Pablo up his sleeves and walks you through the fun part of the video, which is make the Stellar’s jay jump off the screen. The method he uses and the difference between the before/after images will inspire you try shooting and editing Raw files in the future.

Pablo’s instructional YouTube channel is a great place to learn how to simplify seemingly complicated tasks, so be sure to take a close look when you have time.

And don’t miss another game-changing tutorial we posted earlier, describing three Photoshop settings that another expert says “you should definitely disable now” for a faster and more efficient workflow.