Under-editing doesn’t get the same attention as over-editing because the latter is fairly easier to tell, whereas under-editing requires a different perspective. A landscape photographer with as much experience as Andy Denton may learn to do more with less in post, but they might also be doing less, period.
Here are some signs of under-edited landscape pictures from one photographer to another.
1. Insufficient Exposure
Dim lighting never stopped a nature photographer, but it did give them pause in post. Objects in bad light deserve their day in the sun as much as those in good light. However, you must expose them just right before exporting the photograph.
Take these steps if you feel the light is too dim:
- Finish editing your photograph.
- Change the background color to stark white, and watch it for a minute.
- Change the background color to pitch-black, and watch that for a minute, too.
Restore the original—edited—image. The two-color extremes give you a frame of reference to determine whether your original image could use more exposure.
2. A Contrast Too Low
If your image’s contrast is too strong, you will get an over-edited landscape picture. You will get an under-edited landscape picture if it isn’t strong enough. Low contrast makes an image look flat and boring, beating the purpose of this technique.
While a too-high contrast enhances shadows and oversaturates the colors, a too-low contrast makes your landscape appear weak and bland. It would be best to make several copies of the same image and select the ideal version of your image before exporting it.
Subtle, medium and strong contrasts fare differently in different scenarios. The point is to make them look as beautiful as possible while staying true to the real thing.
3. Ill-defined Shadows
You don’t have to be an award winning landscape photographer to identify muddy blobs in your photographs. Even amateur photographers have an eye for ill-defined shadows, so they try to avoid them during photography.
But what if we told you that you don’t have to avoid landscapes with extensive dark patches?
Use the range masking tool in Lightroom to make local adjustments to the shadowy part of the images. The additional luminance might reveal hidden details in the muddy blob without oversaturating the image.
View Nature as Nature Intended in Andy Denton’s Landscape Photographs
View the most glorious skyscapes and landscapes the Canadian Rockies have to offer at Jardene Photography. There isn’t a single under-edited landscape picture in Andy Denton’s photography prints. It’s all pristine mountains, lakes, and national parks with nary a shadowy blob or an ill-defined element.
You can also contact us to purchase these fine art prints on canvas, metal, and acrylic material.