When I first started editing photos, I was basically just throwing spaghetti at the wall.
(If you don’t know that expression, it means trying lots of different things, a bit randomly, in hopes that something works.)
I would move a slider this way and that way, and keep it there if I liked it. Then I would do the same with another slider. Usually, I just made little adjustments to Contrast and big adjustments to Saturation and Vibrance. I didn’t think about the edit. I just started doing the edit.
I didn’t consider the quality or direction of the light. I didn’t think about how my subject looked in the light, or if it was in the light at all. I didn’t think about whether the colors were working together or against one another.
None of it was intentional. None of it followed any sort of plan.
All of it was terrible. 😁
These days, I approach editing very differently. Over time, I’ve developed a simple process that works well for me, regardless of the type of photo I’m editing. I’ve tested and refined it on thousands of images, and it has become the foundation of everything I do.
And the best part is this: it’s simple.
I approach every photo by focusing on just three things: light, detail, and color - in that order.
Sure, each of those three things can involve multiple tools and masks, but the overall approach remains the same.
Light → Detail → Color
That’s it. That’s the plan, every time I edit.
I’ve outlined this approach here on the blog many times, and it shows up in so many of my YouTube videos. But it bears repeating because having a consistent process makes editing easier, faster, and much more intentional.
Instead of randomly moving sliders and hoping for the best, I know what to look for and what to work on next.
Now, does that mean every photo I edit turns out amazing, gorgeous, or worthy of hanging on a wall?
Of course not.
There are a lot of factors that go into creating a truly great photograph, and much of that happens long before it's time to edit.
But having a plan means I can approach any photo with confidence, knowing I have a process to follow. And more often than not, I end up with a photo I’m happy with.
And that’s a pretty good achievement.
So the next time you sit down to edit a photo, don't just start moving sliders. Take a moment to look at the image and think about what it needs.
Start with the light. Then work on the details. Finally, bring the colors together.
You might be surprised at how much easier editing becomes when you have a plan.
And remember, this approach isn't limited to Luminar. While that's where I do most of my editing these days, I've used the same process in Lightroom and ON1 with equally good results.
The goal isn't to master every tool in your editing software. It's to develop a process that helps you turn your photos into something you're proud of.
And that's something every photographer can do.
If you'd like to learn more about my approach, I've put together a FREE Luminar Editing Guide that walks you through the process in more detail, along with practical tips to help you get better results from your photos.
