The Underwater Edit Clinic #11: When the Problem Isn't the Edit
Sometimes, a photograph doesn't need another adjustment. It needs you to recognize what happened underwater before you ever opened Lightroom. Imagine returning from a dive with a photograph of a hawksbill turtle moving across a coral reef. You remember how close the turtle came to your camera, the intricate patterns on its shell, the colors of its head, and the blue water stretching out behind it. The scene is clear in your memory: the turtle crossed the reef, the light filtered through the water, and the colors felt vivid and present. The moment was memorable. You captured it. But when you open the photograph in Lightroom Classic, a familiar challenge appears. The image looks darker and greener than you remember. The turtle needs attention, the distant reef has lost much of its color, and the water seems less inviting than it did during the dive. So you begin editing. Adjusting White Balance improves the overall color. Raising Exposure brings important details into view. A little ...
