Skip to main content
David Ivani
Participant
September 12, 2019
Question

Lightroom Processing Tips - Automotive/Car Photography

  • September 12, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 1281 views

Hi everyone,

I am sure there are many car photographers here and I would like to ask any of you to help me figure out how to achieve “clean” results such as the photo attached.

 

By tips, I am referring to what values should be untouched and what areas should be addressed in order to even get close to anything like this beautiful BMW edit.

 

Credit goes to @varography.

 

Thank You!

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    5 replies

    ManiacJoe
    Inspiring
    September 14, 2019

    If we start with this photo from your IG account

    https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/0a643bcdc77eaa0c0dddda91efe2bb9d/5E3B3FB8/t51.2885-15/e35/s1080x1080/62637015_448028595929876_7534309956577899444_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=108

     

    We can get something like this

    with these "basic" settings

    exposure: +0.20
    contrast: +15
    highlights: -15
    shadows: +10
    whites: +35
    blacks: -35
    clarity: +5
    dehaze: +5
    vibrance: +10
    saturation: +5

     

    and a vignette 

    exposure: -1.0
    contrast: -15
    highlights: -15
    clarity: -15
    sharpness: -35

     

    GoldingD
    Legend
    September 14, 2019

    One tip, after selecting a profile (generally any camera matching one, instead of Adobe defaults) making an initial WB setting, initial tone settings(exposure, white, black, etc), and an initial tone curve selection, adjust the WB again, but use the sampler tool (eyedropper) to accomplish that. Remember you do not have to select a nice white (but not absolute white) area, or a gray area (as in gray card), just a nice bit of image with a near solid color selection. However, what a nice large source of neutral gray in the background of your image.

     

    Small corrections in WB can lead to huge improvements in perceived image quality.

    ManiacJoe
    Inspiring
    September 13, 2019

    While that is a good final result, how to get there greatly depends on where you are starting from with the original file.

    Can you link us to an example of yours?

     

    David Ivani
    Participant
    September 13, 2019
    Sure,
    JP Hess
    Inspiring
    September 12, 2019

    I suppose it's a matter of personal taste. But if the beautiful car is the real subject of the picture, perhaps it would be a good idea to try to make it more prominent. Just a suggestion.

    ducle510
    Participant
    September 12, 2019

    I know many car photographers like to play with the "Clarity" slider.  I would try and use this sparingly. Values of 20+ begins to introduce uneccessary contrast.