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How to edit a raw photo, in the order the pros do

Most edits go wrong because they're done in the wrong order. Work from the whole photo to the details, and each step makes the next one easier.

Beginner8 min

Landscape in soft daylight, as shot: the raw file before editing
Landscape in soft daylight, edited in LightBites

Drag across the photo to compare.Download the raw file and settings

  1. Step 1

    Start with the profile

    The profiles for a raw landscape, each shown as a thumbnail of the photo
    Step 1: Start with the profile
    The profiles for a raw landscape, each shown as a thumbnail of the photo
    Step 1: Start with the profile

  2. Step 2

    Set the white balance

    The Color group with the white balance menu, Temp and Tint
    Step 2: Set the white balance
    The Color group with the white balance menu, Temp and Tint
    Step 2: Set the white balance

  3. Step 3

    Get the exposure right

    Settings

    Light
    Exposure
    +0.30
    Exposure raised a third of a stop in the Light group
    Step 3: Get the exposure right
    Exposure raised a third of a stop in the Light group
    Step 3: Get the exposure right

  4. Step 4

    Bring back the highlights, open the shadows

    Settings

    Light
    Highlights
    −60
    Shadows
    +40
    Whites
    +15
    Blacks
    −12
    Highlights down and Shadows up: the sky and the shadows both have detail
    Step 4: Bring back the highlights, open the shadows
    Highlights down and Shadows up: the sky and the shadows both have detail
    Step 4: Bring back the highlights, open the shadows

  5. Step 5

    Add contrast and presence

    Settings

    Light
    Contrast
    +12
    Effects
    Texture
    +10
    Clarity
    +12
    Dehaze
    +6
    Texture, Clarity and Dehaze in the Effects group
    Step 5: Add contrast and presence
    Texture, Clarity and Dehaze in the Effects group
    Step 5: Add contrast and presence

  6. Step 6

    Colour: vibrance first

    Settings

    Color
    Vibrance
    +20
    Color Mixer
    Blue Saturation
    +8
    Green Saturation
    −6
    Vibrance raised in the Color group, the Color Mixer below it
    Step 6: Colour: vibrance first
    Vibrance raised in the Color group, the Color Mixer below it
    Step 6: Colour: vibrance first

  7. Step 7

    Sharpen and clean up noise

    Settings

    Detail
    Sharpening
    +40
    Masking
    +35
    Noise Reduction
    +10
    The Detail group: sharpening and noise reduction
    Step 7: Sharpen and clean up noise
    The Detail group: sharpening and noise reduction
    Step 7: Sharpen and clean up noise

  8. Step 8

    Straighten and crop

    Settings

    Crop
    Straighten
    Auto
    The finished photo with the horizon levelled
    Step 8: Straighten and crop
    The finished photo with the horizon levelled
    Step 8: Straighten and crop

The whole edit

Every setting from the steps above, in order. On another photo, treat them as a starting point: a different light needs different numbers.

Light
Exposure
+0.30
Highlights
−60
Shadows
+40
Whites
+15
Blacks
−12
Contrast
+12
Effects
Texture
+10
Clarity
+12
Dehaze
+6
Color
Vibrance
+20
Color Mixer
Blue Saturation
+8
Green Saturation
−6
Detail
Sharpening
+40
Masking
+35
Noise Reduction
+10
Crop
Straighten
Auto

Follow along with the same photo

Download the raw file and edit it yourself with the steps above, then compare with the finished edit.

  • Raw photo

    Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B) · DNG

  • Preset

    “Raw Workflow”, the edit for any photo (without the crop and masks)

  • Finished edit

    XMP sidecar: every setting, the crop and the masks

Edit it from the start

Compare with the finished edit

Photo: Landscape in soft daylight by raw.pixls.us contributor · CC0 1.0

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