HOW TO EDIT LIKE BRANDON WOELFEL | LIGHTROOM COLOURGRADE TUTORIAL

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to edit photos in Adobe Lightroom to achieve a color grading style reminiscent of Brandon Woelfel. This guide will take you through each essential step, providing tips and techniques to enhance your photography and create vibrant, dreamy images.

Step 1: Import Your Photos

• Open Adobe Lightroom and select the Library module.
• Click on "Import" to add your photos to the catalog.
• Choose the source (memory card or folder) where your images are located.
• Select the images you want to import and click "Import" again.

Step 2: Basic Adjustments

• Navigate to the Develop module to begin editing.
• Start with the Basic panel:
  • Adjust exposure to balance the brightness of your photo.
  • Set contrast to enhance the difference between light and dark areas.
  • Modify highlights and shadows to recover lost details.
  • Adjust whites and blacks for better tonal range.

Step 3: Color Grading

• Scroll down to the HSL/Color panel:

  • Adjust the Hue sliders to shift the colors in your image (e.g., make greens more teal).
  • Use the Saturation sliders to boost or reduce the intensity of specific colors.
  • Employ the Luminance sliders to make colors lighter or darker.

• Access the Split Toning panel:

  • Apply a color to the highlights and shadows to create a unique color cast.
  • Adjust the balance slider to control how much of the highlight or shadow color is applied.

Step 4: Effects and Finishing Touches

• Go to the Effects panel:

  • Add a slight vignette to draw attention to the center of the image.
  • Use the Dehaze slider if your photo looks flat or hazy.

• Check the Detail panel:

  • Adjust the sharpening settings to enhance details without introducing noise.
  • Use noise reduction if needed, especially for high ISO images.

Step 5: Export Your Finished Image

• Once you are satisfied with your edits, click on "File" and select "Export."
• Choose the desired file format (JPEG, TIFF, etc.) and adjust the quality settings.
• Select the output location and click "Export" to save your edited photo.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively emulate Brandon Woelfel's distinctive editing style in Lightroom. Remember to experiment with different settings to find what works best for your images. With practice, you'll develop your own unique editing style while incorporating elements of Woelfel's aesthetic. Happy editing!