Editing Cell Phone Underwater Photos in Lightroom Mobile: A Complete Workflow
Editing Cell Phone Underwater Photos in Lightroom Mobile: A Complete Workflow
First, I extend my sincere gratitude to some of my dive friends who generously allowed me to collaborate with them on this project. Their assistance was invaluable in creating this comprehensive guide. It's important to note that I do not currently own or use a smartphone specifically for underwater photography, which means I had to seek external help and insights to ensure the accuracy and usefulness of this post.
Underwater photography has long been regarded as a challenging and complex endeavor. The unique environment presents numerous obstacles, including shifting and often unpredictable light conditions, the pervasive dominance of blue and green hues, and the unexpected behavior of marine life, all of which can make capturing vibrant, engaging images challenging. Even highly experienced divers can come back from a dive with photos that appear dull or lifeless due to these environmental factors. Historically, the recommended solution was to upgrade to a more advanced setup, namely, a DSLR or mirrorless camera housed in a waterproof enclosure equipped with external strobes or flashes. These rigs offer superior image quality and greater control but come with their own drawbacks: significant cost, increased weight and bulk, and the need for specialized knowledge to operate effectively.
However, the good news today is that technology has advanced dramatically. Modern smartphones are equipped with highly sophisticated cameras capable of capturing impressive images underwater when paired with appropriate housings. Brands like Kraken, SeaLife, AxisGO, and DiveVolk produce high-quality underwater housings that allow you to use your smartphone seamlessly beneath the surface. These setups are much more portable, less expensive, and easier to handle, making underwater photography accessible to a broader range of enthusiasts.
Furthermore, the advent of powerful photo editing apps, such as Adobe Lightroom Mobile (currently at version 9.5), has revolutionized post-processing. With this app, you can edit your underwater images directly on your phone, applying adjustments that can dramatically improve their visual impact. Features such as curve adjustments, AI-powered masking, noise reduction, and advanced color correction enable you to transform quick snapshots into professional-grade images, all in a matter of minutes, and often before you even rinse your gear.
This post serves as your complete, step-by-step workflow guide for editing smartphone-based underwater photos using Lightroom Mobile. We will explore essential techniques, including adjusting tonal curves, utilizing AI masking for targeted edits, reducing noise to enhance clarity, and performing advanced color corrections to counteract the color shifts caused by underwater lighting and conditions. The guide is tailored for images shot in compressed formats, such as HEIC and JPEG, while also providing notes on how the workflow might differ if you're shooting in RAW or DNG formats through your housing application. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced underwater photographer, this comprehensive approach will help you enhance and optimize your images for stunning results.
Why Lightroom Mobile Is a Game-Changer
Smartphone shooters face two big challenges:
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Compression limits — Phones often save files in HEIC or JPEG, which retain less tonal data than RAW. This makes color recovery and shadow detail trickier.
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Convenience vs. control — Carrying a laptop everywhere isn't realistic. Lightroom Mobile bridges this gap by putting pro-level tools (the same algorithms from Lightroom Classic and Photoshop) in your pocket.
The result? You get 90% of the editing power of a desktop setup with the convenience of editing during your surface interval.
Step 1: Establish Exposure and Tone
Open your image in Lightroom Mobile > Light Panel.
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Exposure: Adjust until the subject feels natural. With smartphone files, shadows can block up quickly, so aim for balanced midtones.
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Contrast: Use sparingly; broad moves can crush details.
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Highlights/Shadows sliders: Pull highlights down slightly to recover sunbursts or reflective fish scales. Lift shadows gently to open reef textures.
Using the Curves Tool for Depth
Now, dive into Light > Curve.
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Add three points: shadows, midtones, highlights.
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Create a gentle S-curve: pull shadows down, lift highlights.
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Optional: In the Blue channel, nudge midtones upward to cool water without affecting coral tones.
Result: Flat scenes gain depth and definition, mimicking the contrast your eyes saw underwater.
Step 2: Isolate Key Elements with AI Masking
Smartphone housings often frame subjects close to the lens (fish, divers, coral heads) against big swaths of blue water. Lightroom Mobile's AI Masking makes selective edits effortless:
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Select Subject: Automatically finds fish, divers, or macro life. Increase Clarity (+10–15) and Texture to sharpen details.
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Select Background: Perfect for treating water separately. Reduce Dehaze slightly to avoid halos and keep gradients smooth.
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Select People: If you're shooting diver portraits, this isolates skin and gear for targeted corrections.
Pro Tip: Combine Subject Mask + Invert to darken only the water, letting your subject pop dramatically.
Step 3: Clean Up Noise with AI Denoise v2.0
Smartphone cameras often push ISO when shooting below 10m (30 ft). The result is grainy blue water or blotchy sand.
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Open Detail Panel > Noise Reduction.
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Slide to 30–40 for HEIC/JPEG files. Pushing higher risks, smearing details.
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For housing apps that save RAW/DNG (e.g., Kraken app), use AI Denoise for cleaner, sharper results.
Comparing Formats
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RAW/DNG: Best detail retention, full AI Denoise support.
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JPEG/HEIC: Supported, but with less tonal latitude. Still produces usable results with careful balancing.
Step 4: Restore Color with Mixer and Point Color
Color correction is where smartphone underwater edits truly come alive.
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Reds/Oranges: Boost Saturation +15 to revive fish and coral. Adjust the Luminance slightly down to make them stand out.
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Blues/Aquas: Lower Saturation slightly to avoid cyan overload. Raise Luminance to brighten water backgrounds.
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Point Color Tool: Available in Mobile v9.5. Tap directly on a patch of odd color (e.g., purple fringe in sunbeams). Adjust hue, saturation, and luminance individually.
This tool replaces clumsy global sliders with surgical precision, especially vital for compressed files where mistakes amplify quickly.
Step 5: Add Final Polish
Small touches create professional results:
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Vignette: Lightly darken edges to keep attention centered.
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Sharpening: Add +30–40 in the Detail Panel, but use masks to avoid over-sharpening water.
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Crop & Straighten: Align horizons and frame subjects with intent.
Example Workflows in Action
Example 1: Shallow Reef Snap (HEIC iPhone 15 + AxisGO)
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Problem: Flat, blue-heavy, coral washed out.
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Workflow: S-curve in Curves, Subject Mask for coral, Color Mixer for reds/oranges.
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Result: Coral regains warmth, and fish separate cleanly from water.
Example 2: Diver Portrait (Samsung S24 Ultra + Kraken)
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Problem: Diver's skin tone appears green-blue, and the background is noisy.
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Workflow: Select People mask, warm skin via Temp slider, apply AI Denoise.
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Result: Natural-looking skin, crisp diver silhouette.
Example 3: Low-Light Wreck (SeaLife SportDiver + iPhone 13)
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Problem: ISO 1600 noise, shadows blocked.
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Workflow: Lift shadows, AI Denoise, Point Color to correct cyan haze.
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Result: Structure details preserved without harsh grain.
File & Tool Compatibility Chart
| Workflow Step | Lightroom Mobile (v9.5) | Lightroom (Cloud v8.5) | Lightroom Classic (v14.5) | Photoshop / ACR (v17.5) | Formats Supported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curves | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | RAW, DNG, JPEG, HEIC, TIFF, PSD |
| AI Masking | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | RAW, DNG, JPEG, HEIC |
| AI Denoise v2.0 | ✅ (DNG best, JPEG/HEIC limited) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | RAW, DNG, JPEG, HEIC |
| Color Mixer & Point Color | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | RAW, DNG, JPEG, HEIC |
| Export / Sync | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | All formats |
Pro Tips for Oceanic Explorers
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Shoot RAW when possible: Apps like Kraken let you capture DNG, unlocking full AI Denoise and color depth.
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Edit immediately: Fresh memory helps you adjust tones to match what you saw, not just what the camera recorded.
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Leverage Cloud Sync: Start on your phone, finish on desktop (or vice versa). Lightroom keeps edits consistent.
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Use Adaptive Presets: Lightroom Mobile now supports presets that adapt to subjects. Try "Underwater Vibrance" packs for quick baseline edits.
Why This Workflow Matters
Many of my Oceanic Explorers share their surprise with me: throughout their journeys, they've believed that phone shots could never achieve a professional look. However, after embracing a specific workflow I recommend, their photos begin to rival the quality of DSLR edits. The key takeaway from this transformation? The quality of your gear is less critical than the process you follow. A deliberate and thoughtful edit in Lightroom Mobile can transform even compressed files into compelling storytelling images, worthy of sharing on social media, printing as keepsakes, or submitting to professional magazines.
Whether you're capturing a curious turtle in 3 meters of
water or documenting a buddy's wreck penetration, Lightroom Mobile puts the
power in your hands - literally.
Final Thoughts
Cell phones that can be used underwater have evolved far beyond their initial role as simple, beginner-level cameras. Today, they are powerful, versatile tools that enable photographers of all skill levels to capture stunning, professional-quality images. With the proper techniques and editing skills, these images can genuinely connect with viewers, evoke emotion, and even promote conservation efforts by showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the underwater world.
One of the most valuable skills you can develop is mastering editing apps like Lightroom Mobile. Not just for touch-ups, but as a comprehensive tool to rescue colors that may have been muted or distorted underwater, reduce noise caused by low light or movement, and enhance details to bring out the vibrancy of your shots. Over time, you'll develop an individualized editing style that adds a signature touch to your photos, making them unmistakably yours.
Next time you surface from a dive and review your images, don't overlook those that might seem ordinary at first glance. With a tailored workflow and a little patience, your phone photos can be transformed into striking, dramatic images that capture the true essence and majesty of the ocean. Remember, every shot holds potential—sometimes all it takes is a little knowledge and effort to unlock it.
📌 Learn more editing strategies at: info.robertherb.com/lm-2-blog
📌 Share your edits using #RobertHerbPhotography
Until next time—dive smart, shoot sharp, and edit with intention.
— Bob Herb📷 info.robertherb.com/lm-2-blog
🧠What's Next?
🟦 Have you tried any of these techniques yet? Share your edits using #RobertHerbPhotography.
🟦 Want to see these workflows in action? Sign up for my upcoming training course at RobertHerb.com or reach out at bob@robertherb.com
🟦 And don't forget—new blogs drop weekly at Robert Herb Photography Blog
Written by Robert Herb – Empowering underwater photographers to capture and enhance the beauty of our oceans since 1978
Stay tuned for more in-depth insights into underwater photography. Let's dive deeper into the art and craft of capturing the marine world! If you have any comments or suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
Get ready for an exciting underwater photography adventure! For more details on my upcoming online training course, check out my "Training" page at RobertHerb.com or email me at bob@robertherb.com.
Sincerely,
Bob Herb
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