Lightroom Mobile is a powerful tool for editing photos on the go, but even the most experienced mobile editors can stumble upon a few common pitfalls. Luckily, these mistakes are easily avoidable! In this blog, we dive into common Lightroom Mobile editing mistakes and provide simple tips for fixing them.
Mistake #1: Overdoing the Edits
Ever cranked up the clarity or saturation slider until your photo looked like a cartoon? We’ve all been there! While strong edits can be eye-catching, subtlety is key with mobile editing. The smaller screens make it easier to overdo adjustments.
Fix: Apply edits with a light touch. Use the preview window to zoom in and see how adjustments affect details. Aim for natural-looking enhancements that bring out the best in your photo.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the White Balance
Incorrect white balance can leave your photos looking overly cool or warm, casting an unrealistic color tint. This can be especially noticeable in artificial light or mixed lighting situations.
Fix: Lightroom Mobile offers a white balance tool that lets you adjust the color temperature of your photo. Tap the “WB” icon and choose an appropriate preset (e.g., “Daylight” or “Incandescent”) or use the dropper tool to select a neutral area in your photo (like a white wall or clear sky).
Mistake #3: Neglecting Cropping and Straightening
A well-composed photo can make all the difference. Cropping allows you to focus on the subject and remove distracting elements from the frame. Tilted horizons can also detract from an image.
Fix: Use the crop tool to adjust the composition of your photo. Look for leading lines or the rule of thirds to create a balanced image. The straighten tool helps correct any tilted horizons, ensuring your photos appear level. Feel free to play around with the guided geometry settings, too.
Mistake #4: Forgetting the Power of Selective Adjustments
Lightroom Mobile allows you to target specific areas of your photo for adjustments. This is especially useful for situations like brightening a shadowed foreground or reducing highlights in a bright sky.
Fix: Tap the “Selective” tool and use brushes or gradients to target specific areas of your photo. You can then adjust exposure, contrast, and other settings to fine-tune the look.
Mistake #5: Not Saving Your Edits (or Saving Too Many!)
Losing precious edits can be frustrating! Lightroom Mobile offers various ways to save and manage your edits.
Fix: Always save your edited photos as a new image (don’t overwrite the original!) Lightroom Mobile also allows you to create presets from your edits, letting you save your favorite styles for future use. But remember, having too many presets can be overwhelming.
Use Lightroom Mobile Presets to Avoid Common Editing Mistakes
By avoiding these common mistakes and using your editing tools effectively, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your mobile photos into stunning creations.
However, you can take your editing even further with Lightroom Mobile presets! Here at Cedar Lane, we offer a broad range of curated editing styles to help you streamline your workflow and achieve professional-looking edits with just a few clicks. Take the guess work out of photo editing and browse our selection today!
