Robert Herb Photography Blog

Here is an AI-generated image showcasing a split-screen view of the underwater photo with advanced edits on one side and the unedited version on the other. As underwater photographers, capturing the perfect shot below the surface is challenging. The limited light, the particulate-filled water, and the blue-green hues can dull what is otherwise a spectacular scene. That’s where post-processing comes into play—and where combining the powers of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop can take your underwater images to the next level. In this post, I’ll explain when and how to use Lightroom and Photoshop for more complex edits, giving you the tools to bring out the true beauty of the underwater world. When to Use Lightroom for Underwater Photo Editing 1. Color Correction and Basic Exposure Adjustments One of the biggest challenges in underwater photography is the loss of red light as you descend. Even the most vibrantly colored fish can appear dull and washed out. In Lightroom, you can fix this quic...

One of the questions I get asked all the time is why should I use Post-Processing tools like Adobe Lightroom Classic instead of post-processing tools that come with my Smartphone? It is hard to be specific since there are so many Smartphones and Point & Shoot camera applications. I see a lot of advantages and disadvantages to each but feel strongly that Professional Post-Processing Applications make the most sense if you are planning on capturing and preserving your memories and vacations for more than just social media sharing. Introduction As an underwater photography enthusiast, the journey doesn't end when you emerge from the depths. The real magic happens when you bring those vibrant underwater memories to the surface through post-processing. However, it's natural to have concerns about diving into the realm of photo editing. Fear not! In this guide, we'll address some common areas of concern and provide insights to help you confidently enhance your underwater snap...

As a Professional Underwater Photographer working with new divers and photographers every week here in Roatan, Honduras, at Turquoise Divers, I get asked many questions. One that I would like to focus on this week, is for those photographers that are either not yet using post-processing or have just started using it. The thing with post-processing is that it can take almost any photograph and make it go from just OK to "Wow". Of course, the more time you spend using these tools the more you can make the photos "POP". Over the last 6+ years here as the Photography Pro at Turquoise Divers, I have now shot over 1 million (>1,000,000) underwater photos and imported them into Adobe Lightroom for processing. Now not all of them do I use or end up on my website, but I sure have learned a lot and have watched how post-processing has changed with all the new and improved tools. Just a little background on myself for clarification: I started my Underwater Photography journ...

In the next few blogs, I would like to dive into some features that are part of most cameras or part of the tools used in post-processing software such as Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop. What is a Histogram? A histogram is a graphical representation of the tonal distribution in an image. It displays the distribution of brightness levels, from shadows on the left to highlights on the right. The horizontal axis represents the tonal range (from dark to light), while the vertical axis indicates the frequency or the amount of pixels at each brightness level. What Does a Histogram Do? Exposure Evaluation : The histogram helps photographers assess the exposure of an image. Tonal Distribution: It shows a photograph's shadows, mid-tones, and highlights distribution. Highlight and Shadow Clipping: Histograms reveal if any areas are overexposed (highlight clipping) or underexposed (shadow clipping). Interpreting Histograms: 1. Properly Exposed Histogram: Appearance: The graph covers the e...

Introduction: Underwater photography is a captivating realm that unveils a world teeming with life, colors, and details that often escape the naked eye. One facet of this mesmerizing art form is macro photography, a technique that allows us to explore the intricate beauty of the underwater microcosm. In this blog post, I'll dive into the depths of macro photography underwater, examining what sets it apart from wide-angle photography, the equipment required, and the advantages and disadvantages it offers. Understanding Macro Photography Underwater: Macro photography underwater is a specialized technique focused on capturing extreme close-up shots of small subjects, such as tiny fish, nudibranchs, corals, and other miniature creatures, revealing the minute details and intricate patterns that make underwater life so captivating. This genre of photography allows us to explore the hidden world of marine critters, vibrant corals, and delicate textures that often go unnoticed in ...