5 Great Ways to Make Photos POP in Lightroom

How to Make Photos POP in Lightroom

If you shoot in RAW, I'm sure you know that RAW files come out of the camera a little flat and lackluster.  Adding a little bit of "PUNCH" or "POP" to your photos is something that almost all RAW images need.

Here are the top 5 ways to get your images looking bright and lovely in just a few clicks!

1. Add Contrast

Increasing the contrast is one of the easiest ways to add more life to your photo.  Most RAW files have very little contrast, so an increase in contrast is in order.

The Contrast slider can be found in the Basic Panel just below the Exposure slider.  In the example below, I increased the contrast to +48.  The amount you choose will depend on your image.

2. Add Vibrance

Most RAW photos have low color saturation straight out of the camera, so a little boost to the Vibrance in Lightroom can liven up your image in one little click!

The Vibrance Slider is also found in the Basic Panel near the bottom between Clarity and Saturation.  In the image below, I bumped the Vibrance slider up to +49.

3. Black and White Point Adjustment

Adjusting the black and white points, a concept often used in Photoshop, is also a reliable technique to give your image more "POP" in Lightroom.  It requires a few extra slider moves but is still a simple adjustment.

The Blacks and Whites sliders are located in the Basic Panel's middle section below Highlights and Shadows.

1. Start by holding down the Alt key and moving your Whites Slider to the right until you see some colors on your solid black image.  Your regular image will return as soon as you release the Alt key.
2. Next, hold down the Alt key and drag the Blacks slider to the left until you start to see colors appear on your white screen, then release the Alt key.

In the image below, I moved the Whites slider to the right +43 and the Blacks slider to the left -32.  The amounts you choose will depend on your photo!

4. Tone Curve Adjustment

Using the Lightroom Tone Curve is a simple way to add some punch and contrast to your images.  Most people are afraid to adjust the Tone Curve, but with this trick, you won't need to touch the actual "curve" at all.

Just below the curve, you should see the words "Point Curve."  By default, the word Linear is selected.  If you click on the word Linear, you will see some other options pop up.  I like to change it to Medium Contrast or Strong Contrast to help quickly and easily increase the "POP" in my photos.

I changed the tone curve setting for the image below from Linear to Strong Contrast.

5. Using Filters

Another way to add more interest and pop to your images is to use a couple of radial gradients and/or graduated filters.  What you use will depend on your vision, but I generally like adding a little color and darkness to the background and some brightness to my subject.

In this example, I will use two radial gradients.  I use the Radial Gradient, which is part of the Masking tools located above the Basic Panel (the circle with the dotted outline icon).  I choose one of my brush/filter presets and draw a circle around my subject.  If you want the adjustment to apply OUTSIDE the circle, make sure to Invert the mask in the Masks layer.

Combining Methods

I often combine a couple of these methods to get just the right amount of punch to my images!

The more you play with these methods, the more likely you will find your favorites and understand how they affect your image, which will make choosing which method to use in the future quicker and easier!

Best Lightroom Presets to Add POP to Your Photos

While most of these steps are straightforward, we are all about saving you EVEN MORE time in Lightroom.  Several presets will add a beautiful POP to your images with just one click.  I've listed my favorites below:

• Au Natural, Clean Bright Color & Clean Rich Color presets from the Clean & Colorful Collection
• Salted 01 and Salted 04 presets from the Salted Evolution Preset Collection are great for adding lots of "POP."  But if you want an even greater effect, combine them with the Vivid Punch "Post" preset included in the Salted Collection (yes, some presets can be layered) or any of your other favorite presets!
• If you prefer a warmer feel but still want lots of contrast, try Wildheart 04 or Wildheart 06 from the Wildheart Evolution Preset Collection.  Combine any preset with the included Bold Punch "Post" preset for even more POP!

Do you have any questions or comments about How to Make Photos Pop in Lightroom?   Leave us a comment below - we would LOVE to hear from you!  And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!