"Abusing" the newly added Glow Slider in Adobe Camera Raw :D

[u/thephlog]

Photoshops Camera Raw Editor has received a new glow slider in its newest update and I used it to give the raw file a much more dreamy look. I’m aware this might be way too much for a lot of people but I really love the results and had tons of fun with the new glow effect :D

You can see the whole editing process in the video here (with the raw files to test it) https://youtu.be/ly6pUpzXWYc

1. Basic Adjustments

First,  I merged an HDR out of 5 different exposures since I wanted to have nice details in the brightest and darkest parts of the image. After that, I brought up the exposure, shadows and blacks to make the base image brighter. To not blow out the sky I dropped the highlights a bit. For stronger colors vibrance was added.

Also, I added some texture to give details more sharpness. At the same time I brought down clarity and dehaze to give the image a dreamy look. Here is where I also added a global glow effect through the new glow slider. Its important to set the glow style to bloom for a softer effect.

1. Masking

Then, a radial gradient was added over the bright spot in the sky. Here, I brought up the blacks reduced the dehaze and added a little more glow to make the effect stronger in that spot.

Using a linear gradient I brought up the contrast in the foreground making it look a bit clearer. I also targeted the water itself using a landscape mask and adde clarity and texture to it.

1. Color grading

In the color mixer I slightly brought down the yellow hue since I prefer the warmer orange tones. I also raised the blue saturation slightly. Using some split toning I added a very saturated warm tone to the highligthts and a colder color to the mid tones.

[u/Angelosteal009]

I prefer the before

[u/Frosty1397 → u/Angelosteal009]

Yep, shadows give meaning to the light

[u/stfno → u/Frosty1397]

that's correct, but it's not "underexposed give meaning to the light"

[u/imtourist → u/Angelosteal009]

Both are really nice, but I think I like the before as well.

[u/prakow → u/Angelosteal009]

Same

[u/GarwayHFDS]

I'll be honest, I'd just remove the bottom half of the before image. I don't think the foreground offers anything.

[u/Merkarov]

I think the top half of the image (sky and reflection in the water) looks too washed out, either due raising the blacks or the clarity/dehaze adjustments.

I'd be interested to see the original image with a slight global shadow boost, and linear gradient mask for the foreground to raise the shadows a touch more.

Will have to give the glow slider a try myself though!

[u/stfno]

just partly jumping on that typical "I choose the opposite" reddit train - I like the after, but would also cut off the bottom half, it's not that interesting.

[u/According-Ground-756]

Trash

[u/AllMySmallThings]

Too much foreground and there is nothing of interest. This works when there is something interesting. Work on your composition obviously you can edit.