Back to Basics – Part 5G: Putting It All Together, A Complete Lightroom Workflow for Underwater Photos and Video
If you've been following the Back-to-Basics series from the very beginning, you've already achieved something that most underwater photographers haven't fully mastered. You've gained a solid understanding of how Lightroom thinks.
So far, we've broken down Lightroom into manageable, easy-to-understand components. We discussed why organization is crucial before
diving into editing, how white balance sets the foundation for a good shot, how
tone controls help shape the light, and how presence tools can either enhance
or compromise detail. We also examined how still photos and videos behave very differently in Lightroom.
This final post in Part 5 brings everything together. It's
not about learning new tools or tricks. Instead, it's about applying what you
already know consistently and repeatably. When you approach each dive shoot
with this mindset, you'll start each session with confidence rather than
guesswork, knowing you have a structured plan to achieve your best possible
results.
Why Workflow Matters More Than Any Single Tool
Many Oceanic Explorers believe their photos fall short
because they lack a tool, preset, or secret setting. Most underwater images
fail due to workflow issues.
Lightroom is built around an order of operations. When you
respect that order, your edits feel controlled and intentional. When you ignore
it, even powerful tools work against you.
Underwater photography magnifies this problem. Light loss,
color absorption, particulate matter, and mixed lighting make random
adjustments far more destructive than they are at the surface.
A workflow does not limit creativity. It protects it.
The Big Picture Workflow for Still Photos
When you sit down to edit a still underwater photo, your
goal is not to fix everything at once. Your goal is to build the image layer by
layer, starting with the foundation.
Here is the high-level workflow you should follow every
time.
1. Establish White Balance and Global Exposure
Always prioritize setting the white balance first. Until the
color temperature and tint look right, it's hard to judge anything else
accurately. After you've got the white balance just right, adjust the exposure to achieve a natural overall brightness. Remember, don't worry about
perfecting it here; think of it as creating a solid, neutral starting point for
everything else.
2. Shape Light with Tone Controls
Highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks are fundamental in
guiding how light flows through the frame. At this stage, your primary goal is
to achieve balance rather than create drama. Make sure to retain highlight
detail, gently open shadows enough to reveal their structure, and set the black-and-white points so they anchor the image while preserving detail.
Remember, working with these elements thoughtfully helps craft a well-balanced
and visually appealing image.
3. Apply Presence with Restraint
Clarity, texture, and dehaze are powerful tools for
underwater photography, but they can also be the quickest way to ruin an image
if not used carefully. It's best to use presence adjustments to improve
separation and structure, rather than to artificially create contrast that
wasn't there underwater. If you find yourself tempted to push these sliders
aggressively, it's often a sign that earlier steps in your editing process may
have been rushed or not thoroughly executed.
4. Refine Color, Do Not Invent It
Color work should enhance what's already there,
rather than inventing entirely new looks or restoring colors that are
completely lost. Use HSL adjustments or Color Mixer controls to fine-tune hues,
manage saturation levels carefully, and regulate luminance to achieve the
desired effect. It's best to avoid boosting saturation globally as a quick fix
for color correction. Remember, natural-looking underwater colors tend to hold
up best over time, providing a believable and appealing result.
5. Local Adjustments and Cleanup
Only after the global image is solid should you proceed to local corrections.
This includes:
- Subject
enhancement
- Background
control
- Water
column adjustments
- Backscatter
cleanup
Local tools are finishing tools, not rescue tools.
6. Final Polish and Export Intent
Before moving to the final output, step away briefly. Then
ask a simple question.
Does this image look like what I remember seeing underwater?
If the answer is yes, the image is ready for its final
destination.
The Big Picture Workflow for Video
Video editing inside Lightroom follows the same logic as
still photos, but with important limitations.
The most important rule to remember is this.
You are shaping the entire clip, not individual
frames.
What Carries Over from Still Photography
The following principles apply directly to video.
- White
balance still comes first
- Exposure
must be believable
- Color
restraint matters even more
- Short,
intentional clips outperform long ones
What Does Not Carry Over
Video inside Lightroom does not support advanced masking,
curves, or AI-based local corrections. This means global discipline matters
more than ever.
If a clip needs heavy local fixes, it usually indicates a
capture issue rather than an editing problem.
A Simple Video Workflow
- Trim
aggressively to remove distractions
- Correct
exposure conservatively
- Balance
color temperature and tint
- Add
subtle vibrance, never saturation
- Prepare
the clip for its intended platform
When done correctly, video edits should feel invisible.
Common Workflow Mistakes Oceanic Explorers Make
Even experienced photographers fall into these traps.
- Fixing
color before exposure
- Overusing
vibrance to recover reds
- Applying
still-photo expectations to video
- Chasing
presets instead of understanding the image
- Editing
too long without stepping away
These mistakes are not failures. They are signs that
workflow discipline needs reinforcement.
A Simple Mental Checklist Before You Export
Before exporting any image or clip, run through this
checklist.
- Does
it look natural?
- Does
it match my underwater memory?
- Have I
stopped before it looks processed?
- Is
this image or clip prepared appropriately for where it will be shared or
displayed?
If all answers are yes, your work is complete.
Export settings and output decisions warrant a dedicated discussion, and we will explore them in more detail later in the Back-to-Basics
series. Stay tuned!
Why This Workflow Sets You Up for What Comes Next
This post completes the big-picture Lightroom workflow that everything else builds on.
At this point, you are no longer thinking about Lightroom as a collection of individual tools. You understand how those tools fit together into a consistent, intentional editing process, and more importantly, why the order of decisions matters.
That distinction is critical.
Once you have a reliable workflow in place, advanced techniques no longer feel overwhelming. Masking, selective adjustments, refined color control, and efficiency-focused tools no longer feel like isolated features. They become extensions of a system you already trust, rather than distractions that pull you off course.
This workflow does not limit creativity. It protects it. It gives you a stable foundation, so more precise adjustments enhance your images rather than overpower them.
As you move forward in the Back to Basics series, future posts will focus on precision, efficiency, and creative control. Those topics only work well when the underlying workflow is solid, repeatable, and intentional.
If you master this way of working, every new tool you encounter becomes easier to use and far harder to misuse.
That is the real value of workflow.
Learn More
If you would like a printable version of this workflow and
other essential Lightroom techniques, grab my free guide:
10 Lightroom Fixes Every Underwater Photographer Should
Know
https://info.robertherb.com/lm-2-blog
Until next time, dive smart, shoot steady, and edit with
intention.
— Bob Herb
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 us dive deeper into the art and craft of capturing the marine world. I would welcome any comments or suggestions.
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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