Lightroom > Develop Module >
1 - Editing Principles
Reminder
As mentioned, Lightroom never changes the pixels
of your photograph files.
When you're editing a photograph, Lightroom continually stores
the editing instructions in the metadata file of the photograph.
When you export the photograph, Lightroom renders the exported
version of the photograph.
The pixels in the exported version are changed.
The pixels of the original photograph are not changed.
KISS
Keep it simple, at first.
Mathew Carey Lea (1823-1897) made the suggestion in 1868, and it still applies
today.
A Manual of Photography: Intended as a Text Book for Beginners and
a Book of Reference for Advanced Photographers (1868)
To Develop Better, Develop a Workflow
Scattered editing isn't as good as editing done step-by-step.
Start with the
Typical Workflow,
and adapt it to your needs.
Global → Local → Global
Generally, you do global edits first.
Global edits affect the entire photograph, such as exposure and
color.
Then, you do local edits, such as burning and dodging.
Then, you return to two global edits, noise reduction and sharpening.
White Balance → Exposure → Color
Typically, you set the white balance first.
Then, you adjust the exposure.
Adjusting the exposure can change the color.
So, cycle back and have a look at the color after adjusting the
exposure.
Panel & Tool Order
The next section covers the order that you use the panels and
their tools.
Comparison Is Essential
We have poor memories for exposure, contrast, and color differences.
Therefore, it's essential to compare before-and-after views
of the photograph after you've made a change.
Use the following three methods.
Method #1 is the best one.
Method #1 - Undo & Redo
You can use keyboard commands to undo and redo your editing.
As mentioned, this is the best comparison method.
You can toggle between your previous edit and the current
edit.
Windows
To undo the last edit, press Ctrl + z.
To redo the last edit, press Ctrl + y.
Mac
To undo the last edit, press Cmd + z.
To redo the last edit, press Cmd + Shift + y.
Method #2 - Turn Off Icon
There's a turn-off icon on most of the tools and panels.
Click the icon to toggle between turning off—and turning
on—the editing that you did with a tool or panel.
Unfortunately—when you turn off a panel—all of your editing done with the panel is turned off—not
just the last edit.
If you're using the Five Tools panel . . .
Five Tools Panel
. . . look for the tiny turn-off icon in the lower-left corner of the tool that you're using.
Turn Off Icon
The Crop tool doesn't have a turn-off icon.
The Basic panel doesn't have a turn-off icon, either.
The other panels do, on the left side of their tabs.
Turn Off Icons on the Panels
Method #3 - Press Y or \
Press Y
Press y to see your original photograph next to your edited
photograph.
Press y again to see just your edited photograph.
Press \
Press \ to see your original photograph.
Press \ again to see your edited photograph.
Feedback Loop
You've added a powerful feedback loop to your endeavors behind
the camera.
By editing, you become a better photographer.
Let's look at the order your should use the panels and tools.
