From Dull to WOW #7: Exporting Your Finished Underwater Photo Without Losing Quality
How to choose the right Lightroom export settings for blogs, social media, portfolios, and print
Exporting underwater photos from Lightroom is the final step that protects the quality of your finished edit. If you choose the wrong file format, color space, image size, sharpening, or quality setting, a strong underwater photo can look soft, flat, over-compressed, or strangely colored once it leaves Lightroom.
If you have followed this From Dull to WOW case-study series from the beginning, you have seen how much difference a clear Lightroom workflow can make.
We started with an underwater photo that looked flat, dull, and far removed from what we experienced on the dive. Step by step, we worked through the process:
White Balance → Exposure → Presence → Color → Masking → Final Cleanup → Export
Each step was built on the one before it. White balance corrected the color foundation. Exposure shaped the light. Presence brought back detail and depth. Color adjustments helped recover life without making the image look artificial. Masking allowed us to guide the viewer's eye. Final cleanup removed distractions, controlled sharpening, reduced noise, and gave the image one last quality check.
Now we have reached the final step.
Export.
This is where many underwater photographers make a surprising mistake. They spend time building a strong edit, then rush through export as if it is just a technical save command. But export is not just the act of saving a file. Export is where your finished underwater photo leaves Lightroom and enters the real world.
That real world might be your blog, Facebook, Instagram, X, a client gallery, a portfolio page, a print lab, a camera club, a contest, or a publication submission. Each of those destinations has different needs.
The goal is not to create the biggest file possible. The goal is to create the right file for the job.
If you export with the wrong settings, your image may look soft, flat, overly compressed, overly dark, oddly colored, or simply not as strong as it looked in Lightroom. That does not always mean your edit was wrong. Sometimes the problem is that the export settings do not align with the image's purpose.
In this final step of the From Dull to WOW workflow, we will look at how to export your finished underwater photo without losing the quality you worked so hard to create.
Why Export Matters in Underwater Photography
Underwater images are different from most topside photos.
They often contain subtle blue and green tones, fine particles in the water column, delicate coral texture, fish scales, sun rays, shadow transitions, and color recovery that took time to balance. A poor export can damage all of that.
Too much compression can create blocky color transitions in blue water. Too much sharpening can make backscatter and noise more obvious. The wrong color space can cause colors to shift when viewed online. Resizing the image too aggressively can make the subject look soft. Exporting a large file for social media may cause the platform to compress it more aggressively than you would have.
That is why export should be treated as part of the workflow, not something separate from it.
If you are new to my full underwater Lightroom workflow, I recommend starting with The Complete Guide to Editing Underwater Photos in Lightroom. That guide explains the full sequence and why each step affects the next.
Export is the final handoff. It should protect the edit, not weaken it.
Start With the Most Important Question: Where Is the Image Going?
Before choosing file type, quality, color space, or size, ask one simple question:
Where is this photo going?
That one question determines almost everything else.
A photo going to your blog does not need the same export settings as a file going to a print lab. A social media image should not be exported the same way as a contest submission. A client preview is different from an archival master file.
Most photographers get into trouble because they create one export recipe and use it for everything.
That may seem simple, but it often yields inconsistent results.
Instead, think in terms of destinations:
- Blog or website, optimized for quick loading and a clean screen display
- Social media, sized for the platform and protected from excessive compression
- Portfolio or client review, large enough to look polished but still practical online
- Print, publication, or contest submission, prepared according to exact requirements
Once you know the destination, the export choices become much clearer.
Exporting From Lightroom Classic
In Lightroom Classic, select the finished photo in the Library or Develop module, then choose:
File → Export
Keyboard shortcut:
- Windows: Shift + Ctrl + E
- Mac: Shift + Command + E
The Export dialog gives you control over several important areas:
- Export Location
- File Naming
- File Settings
- Image Sizing
- Output Sharpening
- Metadata
- Watermarking
- Post-Processing
This is where Lightroom Classic is especially useful. You can create repeatable export presets for different destinations. Once you build them correctly, you do not have to rethink every setting every time.
That fits the same philosophy we have used throughout this series. A consistent process gives you more consistent results.
Exporting From Lightroom Cloud
In Lightroom, the cloud-based version, the export workflow is slightly different, but the thinking is the same.
You can use the Share or Export options, then choose a preset such as JPG Small, JPG Large, Original, Previous Settings, or Custom Settings. For more control, use Custom Settings.
Keyboard shortcuts may vary slightly by operating system and version, but Adobe currently documents the following useful options:
- Shift + E: Open Custom Settings for export where available
- Command + E on Mac or Control + E on Windows: Export with previous settings
The specific screens may look different from Lightroom Classic, but the decisions are still the same:
- What file type?
- What size?
- What color space?
- What quality?
- What sharpening?
- What metadata?
The software interface is not the most important part. The decision-making process is.
File Format: JPEG, TIFF, PNG, or Original?
The file format determines how the finished image is packaged.
For most underwater photographers, these are the practical choices.
JPEG
JPEG is the most common export format for blogs, websites, social media, email, online galleries, and client previews.
It creates a smaller file that is easy to share and widely supported. The tradeoff is compression. That compression is usually fine when handled carefully, but it can become visible if the quality setting is too low or if the image is repeatedly saved and re-exported.
For most web uses, JPEG is the right choice.
TIFF
TIFF is a better choice when you need a high-quality file for print, publication, Photoshop handoff, or long-term image preparation.
TIFF files are larger but preserve more information and can be especially useful when a file may undergo additional editing after export.
If a print lab, magazine, contest, or client asks for TIFF, follow their instructions exactly.
PNG
PNG is useful for graphics, transparency, logos, and some web design needs. It is not usually my first choice for finished underwater photographs.
There are exceptions, but for normal photo sharing, JPEG is usually more practical.
Original or DNG
Original files or DNG files are useful for archiving, transferring editable files, or handing off RAW-based work. They are not usually the best format for a finished image that will be posted online.
For the finished From Dull to WOW image, I would normally export JPEG versions for blog, social media, and portfolio use. I would only export TIFF or full-size versions when preparing for print, publication, or a special submission.
Color Space: Why sRGB Is Usually the Safest Choice Online
Color space matters because it affects how colors are interpreted outside Lightroom.
For blogs, websites, social media, email, and most online uses, choose:
sRGB
sRGB is the safest choice because it is widely supported across browsers, phones, tablets, and online platforms. If you export a photo in a wider color space and upload it to a platform that does not handle it properly, the image may look different from what was expected.
For underwater images, that can be a big problem.
We often work carefully to recover believable color at depth. We may warm the image, adjust tint, protect blue water, avoid oversaturating coral, and balance the subject against the background. If the exported file shifts color online, it can undo part of that work.
If your coral looked rich in Lightroom but strange after upload, color space is one of the first places to check.
For print, publication, or contest entries, do not guess. Follow the exact instructions from the lab, publisher, or contest. Some may request sRGB. Others may request Adobe RGB, ProPhoto RGB, or a specific print profile.
For normal online sharing, sRGB is the practical answer.
Image Size: Do Not Export Bigger Than You Need
Image size is one of the most misunderstood export settings.
Many photographers assume that bigger is always better. That is not always true.
If you upload a very large file to a social media platform, the platform will usually resize and compress it. That automatic compression may not be gentle. It may soften details, damage blue-water gradients, or introduce artifacts in smooth-toned areas.
A better approach is to export the image at a size close to what's needed for the destination.
For my own Robert Herb Photography workflow, I use different sizes depending on the purpose:
- Blog header image: 1792 × 1024 pixels, 16:9, with title text and branding
- In-post instructional image: 1600 × 900 pixels
- Facebook and Instagram image: 1080 × 1080 pixels
- X image: 1600 × 900 pixels
For most blog and web uses, I generally recommend exporting JPEG files with a long edge of 1600 to 2000 pixels, unless your website design requires something different.
For online portfolios or client previews, you may want something larger, often 2500 to 4000 pixels on the long edge, depending on the gallery platform and how the image will be viewed.
For print, do not resize casually. Start with the largest clean file available, then follow the print size and resolution requirements from the lab or publication.
Resolution: What About 72 PPI, 240 PPI, or 300 PPI?
Resolution can be confusing because photographers often mix up pixel dimensions and PPI.
For screen display, pixel dimensions matter more than PPI. A 1600 × 900 pixel image is still 1600 × 900 pixels, whether the resolution field says 72 PPI, 240 PPI, or 300 PPI.
For print, resolution matters because it links the file's pixel dimensions to the physical size of the print.
As a practical guideline:
- For blog and social media, focus on pixel dimensions.
- For print, follow the lab's requested dimensions and resolution.
- For contests or publications, follow the submission rules exactly.
When in doubt, do not resize for print until you know the final print size.
JPEG Quality: Bigger Is Not Always Better
The JPEG quality slider is another place where photographers often overdo it.
It is easy to assume that 100 is always the best setting. But for web use, a JPEG quality setting of 100 can create a much larger file without a visible improvement on screen.
For blog and social media use, a quality setting around 75 to 85 is often a strong practical range. It keeps the file reasonably small while preserving good visual quality.
For portfolio delivery, client review, or higher-quality online presentation, 85 to 95 may be appropriate.
For print or publication, use higher quality unless the lab or publisher provides different instructions.
The real goal is not the biggest file. The real goal is a clean file that matches the destination.
Output Sharpening: Screen, Matte, or Glossy?
Output sharpening is different from the sharpening you applied during the edit.
Earlier in the workflow, sharpening was part of image finishing. In From Dull to WOW #6: Final Cleanup: Removing Distractions Without Over-Editing, we looked at final cleanup, removing distractions, controlling noise, and making sure sharpening enhanced the subject without making the water look rough.
Export sharpening is the final sharpening applied for the output destination.
In Lightroom Classic, you can choose sharpening for:
- Screen
- Matte Paper
- Glossy Paper
For blogs, websites, social media, and online portfolios, choose:
Sharpen For: Screen
For print, choose Matte Paper or Glossy Paper depending on the paper type.
Underwater photographers need to be careful here. Our photos often contain water particles, fine texture, subtle noise, and soft gradients. Too much output sharpening can make an image look crunchy. It can make backscatter more obvious. It can also make blue water look harsh instead of smooth.
For most online underwater images, I recommend Screen sharpening at Standard. If the image is already noisy or contains many suspended particles, consider using Low instead.
This connects directly to the earlier workflow. If your noise reduction and sharpening decisions were not balanced before export, output sharpening may exacerbate the problem. If you want to review that part of the workflow, see Back-to-Basics Part 5D: Presence, Texture, Clarity, and Dehaze.
Metadata: Do Not Let Your Image Leave Home Without Identification
Metadata is easy to ignore, but it matters.
Your underwater images may be shared, reposted, submitted, printed, or downloaded. At a minimum, you should include copyright information and basic creator details.
In Lightroom Classic, the Metadata section of the Export dialog allows you to choose how much metadata to include. You may include all metadata, copyright-only information, or remove certain location data.
For most public online images, I recommend including copyright information while being thoughtful about sensitive location data. This is especially important for fragile dive sites, sensitive marine life locations, or private travel details.
For professional submissions, follow the requirements. Some contests want metadata preserved. Some publishers may have specific instructions. Some clients may request clean files without certain information.
The main point is this:
Do not strip metadata by accident.
Make it a conscious choice.
Watermarking and Branding
Watermarking is not required for every image, but it can be useful.
For blog headers, social media graphics, educational examples, and branded content, I often recommend including the Robert Herb Photography name or logo. It helps keep the work connected to the source, especially when images are shared beyond the original post.
For portfolio galleries, print submissions, contests, or publication files, watermarking may not be appropriate. Always check the destination requirements.
A watermark should support the image, not dominate it.
For underwater photos, I prefer subtle branding placed where it does not distract from the subject. A large watermark across a turtle, a diver, a wreck, or a coral head weakens the viewing experience.
Use branding with intention.
Four Lightroom Export Presets Worth Building
One of the best ways to avoid export mistakes is to create export presets.
Instead of rebuilding settings every time, create a few reliable export recipes for your most common uses.
Preset 1: Blog or Website Export
- Format: JPEG
- Color Space: sRGB
- Size: 1600 to 2000 pixels on the long edge, or your site's required size
- Quality: 75 to 85
- Output Sharpening: Screen, Standard
- Metadata: Copyright information included
- Watermark: Optional, depending on image use
This is the preset I would use for most in-post blog images.
Preset 2: Social Media Export
- Format: JPEG
- Color Space: sRGB
- Size: Match the platform format
- Quality: 75 to 85
- Output Sharpening: Screen, Standard, or Low
- Metadata: Copyright information included when practical
- Watermark: Recommended for branded educational content
For my current social content workflow, I use 1080 × 1080 pixels for Facebook and Instagram square posts, and 1600 × 900 pixels for X images.
Preset 3: Portfolio or Client Review Export
- Format: JPEG
- Color Space: sRGB
- Size: 2500 to 4000 pixels on the long edge, depending on gallery needs
- Quality: 85 to 95
- Output Sharpening: Screen, Standard
- Metadata: Copyright information included
- Watermark: Optional, depending on client or gallery purpose
This is a good choice when you want the image to look polished online, but do not need to provide a full-resolution print file.
Preset 4: Print, Contest, or Publication Export
- Format: JPEG or TIFF, depending on requirements
- Color Space: Follow lab, contest, or publisher requirements
- Size: Do not resize unless required
- Quality: High
- Output Sharpening: Matte Paper or Glossy Paper for print
- Metadata: Follow submission instructions
- Watermark: Usually no, unless specifically allowed
This is the preset category where you should slow down and read the instructions carefully. Print labs, contests, and publishers may have very specific requirements.
Case Study: Exporting Our Finished "From Dull to WOW" Image
Let's bring this back to our case-study image.
At this point in the series, the image has already gone through the full workflow. We corrected white balance, adjusted exposure, refined presence, recovered color, used masking, removed distractions, controlled noise, sharpened carefully, and completed final checks.
If you want to review the tonal part of that workflow, see Back-to-Basics Part 5C: Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, and Tonal Balance. If you want to review the masking step, see Back-to-Basics Part 5F: Masking and Selective Adjustments.
Now the question becomes: how should we export the finished image?
| Destination | Format | Size | Color Space | Sharpening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blog post | JPEG | 1600 to 2000 px long edge | sRGB | Screen, Standard |
| Facebook / Instagram | JPEG | 1080 × 1080 px | sRGB | Screen, Standard, or Low |
| X | JPEG | 1600 × 900 px | sRGB | Screen, Standard |
| Portfolio/ gallery |
JPEG | 2500 to 4000 px long edge | sRGB | Screen, Standard |
| Print/ publication |
JPEG or TIFF | Follow requirements | Follow requirements | Matte or Glossy paper, if printing |
The same finished image can have several different exported versions. That is not duplication. That is proper delivery.
Your Lightroom edit is the master version. Your exports are purpose-built versions of that master.
Common Export Mistakes Underwater Photographers Make
Here are some of the most common export mistakes I see from underwater photographers.
1. Using One Export Setting for Everything
This is the big one.
A social media file, a blog image, a print file, and a client review file should not all be exported the same way.
2. Exporting in the Wrong Color Space
For most online uses, use sRGB. It is the safest choice for consistent display.
3. Uploading Huge Files to Social Media
Large files may be heavily compressed by the platform. Resize intentionally before upload.
4. Forgetting Output Sharpening
A resized image may look slightly soft if you skip output sharpening. Use Screen sharpening for online use.
5. Over-Sharpening Water, Noise, and Backscatter
Underwater images can fall apart quickly when sharpening is too aggressive. Protect smooth water and subtle gradients.
6. Exporting Too Small for Print
A file that looks fine online may not have enough pixels for a clean print. Always check print size requirements.
7. Stripping Metadata Without Realizing It
Your copyright information matters. Make metadata choices intentionally.
8. Not Creating Export Presets
If you export often, presets save time and reduce mistakes.
9. Judging Export Quality on an Uncalibrated Screen
If your monitor is too bright, too blue, or poorly calibrated, your export decisions may be based on a misleading display.
Export settings cannot fix an untrustworthy monitor.
Export Is Part of the Editing Discipline
One of the biggest lessons in underwater editing is that every step affects the next.
If the white balance is wrong, the color becomes harder. If exposure is wrong, presence adjustments become harder. If presence is overdone, masking and cleanup become harder. If sharpening and noise reduction are not balanced, export sharpening can make the final file look worse.
Export follows that same logic.
A clean export depends on a clean workflow.
This is why I keep coming back to the sequence. When you understand the order of operations, Lightroom becomes less frustrating. You stop guessing. You stop chasing sliders. You start making decisions based on cause and effect.
That is the difference between randomly editing underwater photos and building a repeatable process.
Want a Clearer Lightroom Workflow?
If your underwater photos still feel inconsistent, the problem may not be one export setting, one slider, or one missing preset.
It may be the workflow.
That is why I created my free guide, 10 Lightroom Fixes Every Underwater Photographer Should Know. It walks through practical fixes that help underwater photographers move from dull, flat files toward cleaner, more natural results.
You can get the free guide here:
Get the free 10 Lightroom Fixes guide
If you want to see the workflow taught in a more structured way, I also offer a free Masterclass called Structure Before Drama: The Lightroom Workflow That Fixes Most Underwater Photos.
You can join the Masterclass waitlist here:
Join the free Masterclass waitlist
And if you are ready for more hands-on help, image review, and a guided small-group process, my Cohort Training is designed for underwater photographers who want more consistent results and less frustration in Lightroom.
You can learn more here:
Learn more about Cohort Training
Final Thought
A photo is not truly finished when the sliders look good inside Lightroom.
It is finished when the exported file still looks clean, natural, sharp, and ready for its purpose.
That purpose may be a blog post, a social media image, a portfolio gallery, a client delivery, a print, or a publication submission. Each one deserves the right export settings.
Do not let the final step weaken the image.
Export with intention.
Protect the color. Protect the detail. Protect the work you already did.
That is how a finished underwater photo goes from looking good in Lightroom to looking strong wherever it is seen.
Until next time, dive smart, shoot with intention, and export your finished images with the same care you used to edit them.
Bob Herb
Robert Herb Photography
For the most current details, always check Adobe's official Lightroom and Lightroom Classic help documentation, as export options may change with software updates.
✍️Author
Written by Robert Herb
Empowering underwater photographers to capture and enhance the beauty of our oceans since 1978.
New blogs are published weekly with practical tips to help you transform your underwater photos from dull to WOW.
If you would like to go deeper, visit:
👉 www.RobertHerb.com
or reach out directly at: bob@robertherb.com
I always welcome your feedback and questions.
Bob Herb
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