Magical Landscape Photos: How to Remove Unnecessary Highlights

Nature photography often captures stunning scenes, but even the most breathtaking landscapes can benefit from some minor post-processing adjustments. The main problem that needs to be fixed in nature photography is the extra highlights and glare.

This article will guide you through the process of removing unnecessary highlights so that the end result will look more polished and professional.

Introduction

Highlights can be both an artistic solution that decorates the frame and a curse that destroys the author’s intention. While they might add dramatic effect and volume to the image, too many or incorrectly placed highlights may cause distracting elements that overshadow the intended beauty of the scene. By removing these unwanted highlights, one can transform an ordinary photo into a magical landscape that better reflects the photographer’s vision.

Understanding Highlights and Their Impact

Before we dive into the process of removal, let’s talk first about what exactly are highlights and how they impact your photo.

Highlights are the brightest parts of an image, where light reflects strongly. In nature photos, highlights typically occur in bright spots where sunlight is filtering through trees or reflective water surfaces. Uncontrolled highlights often create blown-out spots that can obscure details and distract from the main elements of the scene. Such adjustment creates a more engaging and aesthetically pleasing visual experience,

Too bright highlights can cause a harsh contrast and lead to a lack of depth, making the photo appear less refined. Reducing these highlights helps photographers bring a smooth range of tones with more subtle light, depth, and texture of the landscape. This meticulous adjustment creates a more engaging and aesthetically pleasing image, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the intricate details and atmosphere of the scene. As a result, the photo not only looks more professional, but also better communicates the intended mood and beauty of nature.

Step-by-Step Guide: Removing Unnecessary Highlights

Now let’s see how to remove light rays from a photo in post-processing. We will be using an easy-to photo editor: PhotoWorks and will review using different tools depending on the type of highlights and rays on your picture.

1. Open Your Photo in Editing Software

First open your picture in the program, either by clicking on the Open Photo button or by dragging and dropping it.

2. Adjust the Basic Settings

Start by adjusting the exposure slider to correct any overall brightness issues. Reduce the exposure slightly if the photo is too bright. Lowering the contrast can also help reduce the intensity of highlights. Be careful not to make the image too flat; you want a balance.

3. Use the Highlights Slider

Find the Highlights slider and slowly drag it to the left to reduce the intensity of the highlights. Observe how the brightest areas in your photo start to regain detail. Stop adjusting once the highlights look balanced with the rest of the image.

4. Apply Local Adjustments

Sometimes, global adjustments aren’t enough. Use local adjustment tools under the Retouch tab to refine specific areas. Select the Adjustment Brush tool to paint over areas with excessive highlights. Adjust the brush settings to reduce exposure or highlights in those specific areas. If highlights are present in a gradient area (e.g., sky), use the Graduated Filter tool to make gradual adjustments. This helps in balancing the highlights with the rest of the scene.

5. Use the Dehaze Tool

Use the Dehaze tool under the Tools tab if your photo has a hazy appearance after reducing highlights. It helps in improving the overall clarity and color saturation.

6. Fine-Tune with the Tone Curve

Use Curves for more precise control over highlight adjustments. Adjust the curve so that the highlight areas will be refined further. Pick the Decrease Highlights preset and drag the curve downward to reduce the highlights intensity.

7. Check and Compare

Toggle between the before and after views to ensure that the removal of highlights has improved the photo without introducing new issues. Once satisfied, export your edited photo in the desired format and resolution.

Conclusion

It’s in the post-processing and enhancement of your photos of landscapes that the real magic of professional photography occurs. You can use it to fine-tune exposure, color, sharpness, and composition and turn your raw images into breathtaking landscapes. Effective editing corrects flaws and brings out the best in a scene’s natural beauty, making the shots more attractive and correctly finished. Embrace these techniques to give your landscape photography a new high so that you can express the beauty of the world in a more captivating way.