Lightroom 4: Basic Panel Sliders The "Right Way"
As everybody knows by now, Adobe has changed the way the sliders of the basic panel operates. 0 = No effect, and then there is the +100 to -100 and the effect depends on the beer, the tequila or the coffee.
So what's the right way? Of course, my way is the "right way." In Lightroom 1, 2 and 3, I used the Auto as the starting point for my changes/setting the photo, not anymore in LR4. I do not like how LR4 does the Auto.
Lightroom 4: Before and After in less than 20 seconds
This is not a finished photo, but it's more than good enough to show the person and if he picks it, then it will be fine tuned like opening the eyes, sharpening for the skin, clarity, vibrance...
My secret? I do not look at the photo while doing the basic panel, I use the Alt/Option key when adjusting each slider and I get:
The Exposure
Lightroom 4: Basic panel exposure, Alt/Option Key
The Whites
Lightroom 4: Basic panel whites, Alt/Option Key
The Blacks
Lightroom 4: Basic panel blacks, Alt/Option Key
The Highlights
Lightroom 4: Basic panel highlights, Alt/Option Key
The Shadows
Lightroom 4: Basic panel shadows, Alt/Option Key
The screen goes either black or white and as you use the sliders there is either some white or black that appears. When it starts to appears, it's the "right" value.
The Basic Panel Values
Lightroom 4: Basic panel values
Then I use this as the starting point to fine tune and 90% of the time, it's very close.
Adobe, and many others, suggests/recommends following the orders of the sliders: highlights, shadows, whites and blacks. I prefer:
- Exposure
- Contrast
- Whites
- Blacks
- Highlights
- Shadows
It makes more sense to me. That's my way, the “right way.â€
With all post processing, you should respect the mood of the photograph. This method will not work for a “moody†and dark photo. But it's fantastic for Black and White photographs, especially if you “crank up†the contrast.