Photoshop How To

Sometimes the photos we capture don’t appear as vibrant as they did through the viewfinder. That could be because of flat light, incorrect exposure settings, or a passing cloud blocking the sun.

Whatever the cause, there an underused Lightroom tool for naturally enhancing dull colors to give them the punch they deserve. In the five-minute tutorial below from The Phlog Photography YouTube channel you’ll see how to harness the power of Lightroom’s Calibration tools for getting the job done.

Instructor Christian Mohrle says this technique is sometimes ignored, especially by beginners, because it can be difficult or imprecise unless you’re familiar with a few simple tricks. In the tutorial below he explains what you need to know, in barely five minutes, for greatly simplifying the process.

Another reason Lightroom’s Calibration tool is overlooked is that it’s hidden at the bottom of the panel’s menu. As Morganti says, “Don’t let its place give you a false impression. Although is seems strange and complex as first, it greatly helps you get better colors.”

The episode begins with an overview of calibration basics, which are very helpful for those new to the task. Unlike what you may expect, this tool isn’t intended for color grading purposes, but rather to calibrate the Raw files coming out of your camera. This is because Raw files from cameras of different brands all have their own way of rendering colors.

Mohrle then explains how to use Calibration tools in a creative way, walking you through the step-by-step process.  After providing a straightforward demonstration, he then explains the finer points of Lightroom’s Calibration panel, the various options available, and everything it can do.

There’s much more to learning about editing your photos, especially those shot outdoors, on Mohrle’s instructional YouTube channel. So be sure to take a look and subscribe.

We also encourage you to check out the processing tutorial we shared from a noted French landscape photographer, explaining an easy dodging and burning secret that really works great.