Editing Your Underwater Shots: A Beginner Guide to Adobe Lightroom

Introduction

I thought this might be a good time to review the basics of using Adobe Lightroom to post-process your underwater photos. Many new tools and tricks have been recently added to Lightroom that I consider to be game changers and have greatly improved my own underwater photography, but without knowing how to use the basic controls first, the new AI functions will be of little use to you. Below are some of what I consider to be the basic steps and controls that everyone needs to master in Adobe Lightroom.

Underwater photography offers a unique and captivating perspective of the world beneath the waves. However, the real magic often happens during post-processing when you have the opportunity to enhance the beauty of your underwater shots. Adobe Lightroom is a powerful tool that can help you transform your raw underwater images into stunning masterpieces. In this guide, I'll walk you through the step-by-step process of editing your underwater photos using Adobe Lightroom.

The steps below are just the beginning of the process you need to master before you get into the more advanced edit tools available in Adobe Lightroom.

Step 1: Import Your Images

Before you can start editing your underwater photos, you need to import them into Adobe Lightroom. As I have discussed previously, you should always be shooting your photos in RAW and not JPG. Make sure you've already transferred your raw images from your camera to your computer. To import, follow these steps:

1. Open Lightroom and go to the Library module.
2. Click the "Import" button in the bottom left corner.
3. Navigate to your image folder and select the images you want to edit.
4. Customize your import settings, including file handling, file renaming, and metadata.
5. Click the "Import" button to add your images to the Lightroom catalog.

Step 2: Organize Your Library

Organizing your library is essential, especially for underwater photographers who capture numerous shots. In the Library module, you can:

1. Create collections for specific dives or trips.
2. Add keywords to make your images searchable and help with organization.
3. Use flags, stars, and color labels to identify your best shots.

Step 3: Basic Adjustments

Now, let's dive into the editing process:

1. Auto Adjustment: Once in the Develop Module I always start with the “Auto” button to ensure that the photos have the basic adjustments made so that I can then make each of the adjustments below. Sometimes my photos are over or under exposed and with the Auto button used I can see what adjustments will need to be made going forward.
2. White Balance: Underwater images often have a blue or green color cast due to the water's filtering effect. Adjust the white balance to bring back the natural colors. Use the "White Balance" tool in the Develop module to correct color temperature issues.
3. Exposure and Contrast: Fine-tune the exposure and contrast to balance the brightness and contrast of your image. Use the "Exposure" and "Contrast" sliders for these adjustments.
4. Highlights and Shadows: Underwater scenes may have both overexposed highlights and underexposed shadows. Use the "Highlights" and "Shadows" sliders to recover details in these areas.

Step 4: Correct Color and Clarity

Underwater photos often require enhancements to color and clarity:

1. Vibrance and Saturation: Increase vibrance to make subtle colors pop without oversaturating the image. Adjust saturation to bring out more intense colors.
2. Clarity: Use the "Clarity" slider to improve image sharpness and enhance fine details.

Step 5: Remove Unwanted Elements

Underwater images may contain distracting elements like backscatter or debris. Use Lightroom's tools to clean up your shot:

1. Spot Removal Tool: This tool can clone or heal unwanted spots, such as backscatter or debris.
2. Crop and Straighten: Crop your image to remove distractions and improve composition. The straighten tool can help correct crooked horizons.

Step 6: Fine-Tune with Local Adjustments

For more precise adjustments, use local adjustments:

1. Graduated Filter: Apply adjustments gradually across your image. This tool is useful for darkening or lighting specific areas, like the sky or the ocean's surface.
2. Radial Filter: Create circular or elliptical masks to emphasize or de-emphasize specific subjects or regions in your photo.
3. Brush Tool: Paint adjustments onto your image with the brush tool, allowing you to target specific areas.

Step 7: Sharpen and Reduce Noise

Underwater photos can benefit from some sharpening and noise reduction:

1. Sharpening: Use the sharpening panel to enhance fine details. Be careful not to over-sharpen, as it can introduce noise.
2. Noise Reduction: Apply noise reduction to reduce graininess, which can be common in underwater photography.

Step 8: Export Your Masterpiece

Once you're satisfied with your edits, it's time to export your underwater masterpiece:

1. In the Library module, go to the Export panel.
2. Choose the file format (usually JPEG for sharing online).
3. Select the desired resolution and quality settings.
4. Specify the destination folder.
5. Click the "Export" button to save your edited image.

Conclusion

Editing your underwater shots in Adobe Lightroom is a creative and rewarding process that allows you to bring out the best in your underwater photography. With the right adjustments and a keen eye for detail, you can transform your raw images into stunning underwater masterpieces that capture the beauty and wonder of the ocean's depths. Practice and experimentation will help you become proficient in the art of underwater photo editing, and soon you'll be sharing your captivating underwater imagery with the world.

Let me assist you in your underwater photographic journey with my upcoming online training course, which I will be announcing soon. If you are keen on acquiring more knowledge about it, kindly email me at bob@robertherb.com. You can also visit my website (Robert Herb Photography) to view some of my exemplary work. 

I am eagerly anticipating your valuable feedback and suggestions. 

Sincerely, 

Bob Herb

Robert Herb Robert Herb Photography +1 (714) 594-9262‬  |  +504 9784-0024  |  www.RobertHerb.com Bob@robertherb.com  |  Roatan, HN or Aliso Viejo, CA (USA)