Whether you process images in Lightroom, Photoshop, or another full-featured editor, it’s difficult not to get carried away by all the capabilities available. But sometimes you’ll achieve much better results by restraining yourself and taking a subtle approach so that you don’t ruin photos by giving them an “over-cooked” look.

In this 10-minute tutorial from Adorama TV, you’ll learn why it often pays off when you avoid making too many adjustments, so that your images retain a realistic appearance. In other words, you can save time and effort while achieving more impressive photos if you follow the old adage that “less can be more.”

Instructor David Bergman is a hardworking New York-based pro who specializes in the unique combination of sports, concert, and celebrity photography. This episode demonstrates how to keep things simple when editing a wide variety of digital and film photographs of a variety of genres. He kicks off the video with this relevant question: “How much photo editing is actually too much?”

This lesson was inspired by a question from one of his fans, and Bergman reveals several self-imposed rules for processing the editorial, fashion and fine art images he captures when both image quality and credibility are top of mind. He also answers the common question, “is it OK to edit sport photographs?”

The meaning of the term “editing” has changed dramatically since Bergman first started out. As he explains, “back in the old days editing was simply the process of culling through images and picking the best of the best.” Fast-forward to today, when we have access to a myriad of sophisticated processing tools, the definition far more expansive.

Now editing adjustments include sharpening, color grading, modifying contrast and exposure—and even removing bland skies and other weak elements and replacing them with others. And, of course, there are also numerous AI features (love them or hate them)” that do most (if not all) of the work automatically while you sit back and merely watch the magic take place.

Bergman is completely up to date, with 30 years of experience, and he’s very passionate about the approach he takes to create photographs that are both compelling and realistic—whether they’re captured on the sidelines at the Super Bowl or shot from the pit at a concert.

You may think that his approach doesn’t apply to you as an amateur, but there are ethical rules for all of us with a camera that should be considered. And ethics notwithstanding, you certainly don’t want to ruin a great image by going overboard with the enhancements you make. There’s much more to learn on the Adorama TV instructional channel, so check out what’s available.

And don’t miss the tutorial we posted recently from another acclaimed pro who explains why exposure blending is his secret sauce for editing landscape and nature photographs for maximum impact.

If you’re just getting started in wildlife photography, today’s tutorial is a great place to start. You’ll pick up five effective tips in less than seven minutes from an experienced pro who really knows his stuff.

Paul Miguel is a versatile British outdoor photographer whose portfolio includes an eclectic mix of stunning landscapes, macro photos and wildlife imagery. The videos he posts reveal cross-genre techniques for capturing great images of just about any subject you photograph in the field.

This episode is devoted to wildlife photography, with a particular emphasis on our feathered friends, but what you’ll learn is equally appropriate for making amazing photos of whatever animals you come across. Birds are great subjects for those new to the craft, because they’re easy to find at a local park or nature center, and even in your own backyard.

The five tips discussed in this lesson include everything from the necessary gear, shooting techniques, exposure and other camera settings, and even what Miguel refers to as “fieldcraft.” You’ll also find a short list of the equipment he prefers in the description beneath the video.

Miguel’s first recommendation is to “concentrate on your lens,” by using a telephoto or telephoto zoom with enough power to get relatively frame-filling shots. This largely comes down to budget, and Miguel explains why you should consider investing more cash on premium glass, rather than spending big bucks to update your camera.

Another important piece of kit is a sturdy tripod that will be essential for supporting a camera with its heavy telephoto lens, and this is another acquisition on which you don’t want to skimp. That’s because cheap, flimsy camera supports may be easier to carry, but they often impart a false sense of security—resulting in soft images due to camera movement (especially in low-light situations).

Miguel then moves on to camera settings and practical advice for improving your technique, beginning with a discussion of Exposure (EV) Compensation and how to put this simple method to work. As he says, “this can make a massive difference in your images.” He notes that the feedback you’ll receive from the camera while using EV Compensation is a fine way to gain insight on the ins-and-outs of exposing images properly.

There’s plenty more great advice in this skill-boosting video, and after putting Miguel’s suggestions to work you’ll no longer consider yourself a beginner—with some great photographs to prove the point. You can find many more helpful videos on outdoor photography by paying a visit to Miguel’s instructional YouTube channel.

And on a related note, don’t miss the tutorial we posted from another accomplished pro, revealing his approach to photographing and editing wildlife and nature scenes captured under “terrible” harsh light in the middle of the day.

Landscape photographers who’ve spent enough time shooting in the field, especially after the sun drops below the horizon, know that it’s often impossible to capture what they through the viewfinder with a single shot in the camera. This tutorial from the PHLOG Photography YouTube channel explains how to get the job done to perfection with a technique known as exposure blending.

Instructor Christian Mohrle is one of Germany’s best landscape photographers, and he equally adept behind the computer. Today’s challenge involves a sunset scene shot at night with a dark peak in the background, a beautiful golden sky, and car trails running through the middle of the frame. And it’s the perfect situation to demonstrate how exposure blending is the ideal solution for balancing out the varied colors and tones required for optimum results.

Mohrle’s original image is dull and uninspiring, so he begins with several global adjustments to enhance it as much as possible, before the awe-inspiring steps that follow. You can download his Raw file with a link beneath the video, and then follow along as the process is revealed.

The technique involves shooting multiple images of the same scene (with the camera mounted atop a tripod) at different exposure settings, and then combining them in Photoshop to create one magical image. The preliminary adjustments start by changing the Profile from Adobe Color to Adobe Landscape which helps achieve the vibrant look that Mohrle desires.

Other basic enhancements require modifying White Balance, increasing the Tint for more warmth, and bumping up Exposure while dropping Highlights to help fix the bright sky. Mohrle also boosts Whites and brings down shadows to enhance contrast throughout the frame. Adding Texture and dropping Clarity is also important for the reasons explained.

With the base image now looking as good as possible the fun part begins with some simple masking to selectively enhance specific portions of the scene. A Radial Gradient over the horizon is the first step in this process, followed by a sky selection with a Linear Gradient.

Color grading comes next and Mohrle walls you through the steps he employs to really make the colors pop. A bit of careful sharpening also helps. Then it’s time to work on the vehicle light trails which require enhancements of their own.

The process concludes with the coup de gras; namely, Mohrle’s transformative Photoshop exposure-blending technique—proving once and for all that it is possible to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear! After watching this eye-opening lesson pay a visit to Mohrle’s instructional YouTube channel where there much more great landscape photography advice.

We also recommend watching the earlier tutorial we posted from another top pro who explains how to shoot and edit landscape and wildlife photographs when harsh midday sun is the name of the game.