Thinking About Local Adjustments
What is the photograph about? What story were you trying to tell, or what mood were you trying to convey? What elements in the frame will help tell that story, and what elements might detract from it?
Do you need to balance the light? For example, is the top part of the photograph bright, while the bottom is dark? Is the left side bright, and the right side dark?
Are there bright areas that are pulling the eye too much – especially around the edges or corners?
Are there dark areas that need to be brought out more – that need to be highlighted to tell the photograph’s story?
Are there colors that are distracting or draw the eye too much?
Scan your eyes around the edges – are there distractions that jump out? How can you de-emphasize them?
Look at the image and let your eyes go slightly out of focus. What jumps out at you? What doesn’t jump out that should?
How to Emphasize an Object or Area:
Brighten it
Add contrast. Use Contrast, Whites and/or Blacks, the Curve, or Clarity. Possibly Dehaze or Texture as well.
Add saturation
Warm the color temperature
Change the hue to make it stand out
How to De-Emphasize an Area:
Darken it
Decrease contrast. Use Contrast, Whites and/or Blacks, the Curve, or Clarity. Possibly Dehaze or Texture as well.
Decrease saturation
Cool the color temperature
Change the hue to make it blend in
Responses