Robert Herb Photography Blog

Underwater photography is undeniably one of the most challenging genres in all of photography. The unique environment, dominated by blue hues, swift changes in lighting, and the natural flatness of underwater light, often leaves your stunning reefscapes, intricate wreck interiors, and dramatic silhouette shots appearing dull and lackluster. I've been there myself; capturing the vibrant, dynamic world beneath the waves can sometimes feel like an uphill battle.   The good news is that you don't necessarily need expensive new equipment like advanced strobes or high-end lenses to make a significant improvement. Often, the most effective, yet underutilized tool is right at your fingertips, within Adobe Lightroom Classic (v14.4) and Lightroom Mobile (v9.4). Specifically, the Tone Curve Panel offers powerful adjustments that can breathe new life into your underwater images.   In this guide, I'll share insightful tips on how simple curve adjustments can dramatically elevate your ph...

  Mastering the New 'Select Water' AI Mask in Lightroom (v14.4):  Another Game-Changer for Underwater Photography An AI-generated image that best represents the content of this Blog Post. 📍 Dive deeper every week at info.robertherb.com/lm-2-blog Have you ever captured the perfect angle of a manta ray or reef shark, only to find that the background water looks lifeless, grey, or murky? Suppose you've ever struggled with enhancing blue water or separating your subject from a cluttered ocean backdrop. In that case, Lightroom Classic's newest AI-powered  Select Water  mask — introduced in version 14.4 - is precisely the tool you've been waiting for. This fantastic new feature is specially designed with underwater photographers in mind. Whether you're shooting in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, navigating through murky mangroves, or even working in a chlorinated training pool, Select Water intelligently isolates water backgrounds to make your editing proc...

Robert Herb Photography Tips for Capturing the Haunting Beauty of Shipwrecks with Light Control Exploring an underwater shipwreck is a unique and captivating experience that reveals stories of history, tragedy, and the mysteries of the ocean’s hidden world. However, capturing the haunting beauty of these wrecks through photography presents challenges. The interplay of light and shadow is crucial in underwater wreck photography, as it can either enhance the eerie charm or detract from the scene’s impact. Let’s explore some tips and techniques for effectively managing light and shadow to showcase shipwrecks in their full, ghostly glory. Understanding the Wreck Environment Shipwrecks are often large structures with many nooks, crannies, and cavernous interiors. These environments present a unique challenge when it comes to lighting. Natural light filters down from the surface, creating a beautiful but uneven glow over the wreck. As you go deeper, you lose more light, so you need to ...

Introduction: Beneath the ocean's surface lies an enchanting realm awaiting exploration through the lens of a camera. Among the various techniques available, underwater macro photography emerges as a captivating and rewarding option, especially for beginners. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the nuances of macro photography, exploring its distinctions from wide-angle approaches, the advantages of starting with macro, and how even budget-friendly cameras or smartphones can yield impressive results. Decoding the Depths of Macro Photography Underwater: Macro photography involves the intimate capture of small subjects, bringing to light intricate details often overlooked by the naked eye. Transcending onto the underwater canvas, this technique allows photographers to venture into the microcosm of marine life, unveiling the vibrant colors and unique textures of diminutive creatures such as nudibranchs, shrimp, and coral polyps. Divergence from Wide-Angle Photogr...