Lightroom Classic Tutorials
Welcome to Series 1 of my Lightroom Classic beginner tutorials.
This 8-part series walks you step-by-step through my complete basic editing workflow — from understanding RAW files to exporting your final images. Each lesson builds on the previous one, so you can follow along at your own pace.
Whether you’re brand-new to Lightroom Classic or revisiting the fundamentals, this series will help you develop a clean, consistent workflow you can use on any photo.
Understanding the RAW File: The Foundation of Every Great Edit
Start your editing journey by understanding the RAW file — what it is, why it holds more image information, and how that extra data helps you create cleaner, more polished edits in Lightroom.
Setting Up Lightroom: Catalogs, Imports, and Workflow Basics
Learn how to import, organize, and cull your photos in Lightroom Classic. This lesson covers folder structure, ratings, and keywords to help you stay organized and edit more efficiently.
Global Adjustments: The Core Lightroom Sliders Explained
Learn how to use Lightroom’s Basic panel to correct exposure, balance tones, and create a natural foundation for your edits using the histogram and essential sliders.
Local Adjustments and Masks: Targeted Editing for Precision Control
Discover how to use Lightroom’s masking tools to refine specific areas of your images. This lesson shows how local adjustments add depth and guide the viewer’s eye without affecting the entire photo.
Color and Tone Refinement: Adding Mood and Depth with Lightroom’s Color Tools
Learn how to refine color and tone in Lightroom using HSL, color grading, tone curves, and calibration to shape mood, improve balance, and develop a consistent editing style.
Creating and Saving Presets: Building Your Own Editing Workflow
Learn how to create and save your own Lightroom presets to streamline your workflow and maintain consistency, while still allowing flexibility for individual edits.
Texture and Finishing Touches: Bringing Dimension to Your Photos
Learn how to add subtle depth and polish to your images using Lightroom’s finishing tools, including texture, clarity, dehaze, sharpening, and grain.
Developing a Complete Workflow: From Import to Export
Learn how to build a complete Lightroom workflow — from importing and applying presets to editing, refining, saving your look, and exporting final images with confidence.