With many tasks in Lightroom there are several ways to get the job done—some easier and more effective than others. That’s very true with using presets: There’s the conventional approach and a better method, as you’ll see in the quick tutorial below.
Instructor Toms Jurjaks is a budget-minded photographer based in Portugal who says, “You don’t need a fortune to take amazing pictures.” He further insists that composition, technique, the right camera settings, and editing prowess are more important that the latest high-end gear.
In today’s four-minute episode Jurjaks discusses three key factors to consider when using presets that will maximize your results. As a bonus, he includes a link in the description beneath the video for downloading a collection of presets for free!
Jurjaks says that in his opinion using a preset isn’t a one-click edit, which is contrary to how most photographers employ these timesaving tools. Instead, he urges you to consider a preset like this: “It’s a great starting point that puts you in the mood, provides enhanced color, and give the image a good vibe.”
Despite these initial enhancements, Jurjaks demonstrates how a few additional adjustments will improve the look of an image even further without taking too much of your time. In others, words, try to think of presets as a foundational starting point.
Jurjaks’ second tip is what he calls “understand and learn,” and he explains why this is an important first step before selecting a preset to rehabilitate an image or give it a different look. What he means here is simply that you should review images carefully to gain an understanding of why you feel they need work. Are the shadows to dark? Is the shot lacking in saturation or contrast? What about how the background is rendered?
Or as Jurjaks says, “By determining why certain things are the way they are, you’ll gain a better understanding of the whole concept of editing.” And you’ll thereby be better equipped to choose the right preset for the job, and modify it as need be.
The final tip in this lesson is all about experimentation and making final alterations to achieve the exact look you’re after. You may spend a bit more time by following Jurjaks’ advice, but the superior results will be worth it.
There’s much more to see on Jurjaks’ popular YouTube channel, so pay a visit when you have time.
And check out another powerful tutorial we posted recently, explaining how to use Lightroom’s Transform tool to correct geometric irregularities in your photographs.
Today’s quick tutorial is a throwback to the days before electronic cameras, without autofocus, built-in meters, and other modern conveniences. The Sunny 16 method for determining proper exposure was one of the easiest “rules” back then, and it can bail you out of a jam today when using a full-featured camera.
Many photographers still use manual cameras on occasion and, for them, the video below will be a refresher. But what if the light meter your modern camera goes haywire, or your battery runs dry and you don’t have a spare? In those instances the Sunny 16 Rule is far better than guessing at the exposure settings required and can really save the day.
Instructor Booray Perry is a guy we turn to often for quick and straightforward explainers on basic photographic concepts, and he typically infuses his tutorials with a bit of humor to make them fun to watch. In today’s episode it takes him barely five minutes to demystify the Sunny 16 Rule.
As Perry explains, the Sunny 16 Rule goes like this: “If you’re outside on a bright day without cloud cover and the aperture is set to f/16, then your shutter speed will be the same as your ISO setting.” So if your ISO is 200, the correct shutter speed will be 1/200 with a aperture of f/16.”
Of course every day isn’t a sunny one, but the Rule still applies with a bit easy extrapolation, as Perry explains. He makes adjustments for decreasing light levels in one-stop increments. Thus, on days with a slight amount of cloud cover he drops his aperture setting to f/l1.
Following this system means you’ll drop down another stop to f/8 on totally overcast days, and on and on. Even though there are a few mental calisthenics involved it’s better than eyeballing a scene, and taking a wild guess with fingers crosses.
You can find more quick-and easy explainers on Perry’s instructional YouTube channel, so be sure to take a look.
We also suggest you watch the simple tutorial we posted from another popular instructor, explaining how to shoot photos with beautiful soft backgrounds to make your main subject stand out.
