The next thing you want to check – at least at the beginning as you start editing with your presets – is exposure and contrast. In photo editing, exposure and contrast adjustments are crucial to the process of fine-tuning and polishing an image

Exposure refers to the amount of light that enters the camera, which can impact the brightness and darkness of the image. Exposure adjustments can be used to correct underexposed or overexposed images, by increasing or decreasing the brightness levels to create more balance and vibrancy in the photo. 

For example:

• Underexposed images can be corrected by increasing the exposure, which will brighten the image and reveal more detail in the shadows. 

• Overexposed images can be corrected by decreasing the exposure, which will reduce the brightness and help to recover lost details in the highlights.

Contrast, on the other hand, is the difference in tone between the lightest and darkest areas of an image, which can affect the overall clarity and visual impact of the photo. 

Contrast adjustments can be used to add depth and dimension to an image. 

• Increasing the contrast can make the shadows appear darker and the highlights appear brighter, which can create a more dramatic and visually compelling image. 

• Decreasing contrast can create a softer, more muted look, which can be useful for creating a more understated aesthetic.

Playing with exposure and contrast can help you get the exact right look you’re going for, and they’re critical to understand as you go through this process to speed up and perfect your edits.

Here’s how:

Use the Lightroom sliders under the Light tab to fine-tune these settings

Adjust the Exposure Slider: The Exposure slider controls the overall brightness or darkness of your image. Move the slider to the right to increase the exposure and make the image brighter, or to the left to decrease the exposure and make it darker. Carefully adjust the slider until the exposure is at the desired level. Pay attention to the details in both the highlights and shadows.

Fine-Tune the Contrast Slider: The Contrast slider is responsible for the difference between the bright and dark areas of your image. It helps increase or decrease the overall visual impact. Moving the slider to the right increases contrast, making the highlights brighter and the shadows darker. Moving it to the left decreases contrast, making the highlights less bright and the shadows less dark. Make adjustments to achieve the desired level of contrast, considering the mood and atmosphere you want to convey.

Play with Additional Controls: Beyond exposure and contrast, Lightroom offers various other adjustments that can further refine the look of your image. These include highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks. Experiment with these sliders to fine-tune the tonal range and bring out specific details in your photo. Adjustments in these areas can help enhance the overall depth and dimensionality of your image.

After making adjustments, take a moment to evaluate the image and compare it to your desired outcome. If necessary, make additional tweaks to the exposure and contrast, as well as any other adjustments, until you achieve the look you’re aiming for. 

Fine-tuning the exposure and contrast using Lightroom’s sliders gives you another level of control over the tonal values and overall look of your photo, and it’s something you don’t want to miss.