Announcing The Dark Image System For Lightroom
Announcing The Dark Image System for Lightroom
What would you say if I told you there may be a better way to edit with Lightroom?
For a long time, I’ve approached my RAW photo editing by trying to produce a good-quality starting image. This means removing problems like deep shadows and poor exposure. I’ve then used that image as a starting point to hop into Photoshop or Affinity Photo for further editing. I’ve now changed this approach for some of my images, and it’s allowing me to inject drama and mood.
Dark Image System Examples
Here’s a good example, shot in a woodland area of the Peak District called Wyming Brook.
This type of image is perfect for applying the Dark Image System. Had I processed the original image, which you can see on the left with my old approach, I wouldn’t have been able to create the mood and atmosphere in the image on the right. This was all done using a few controls in Adobe Lightroom. I only used the Linear and Radial Gradients and the Brush Tool for making selective adjustments.
I then took the image into Photoshop to apply finishing effects, producing the following shot.
I’m sure you will agree this is a substantial improvement on the original.
Having achieved a good initial result, I wondered if this was a fluke, so I tried other images. Here’s another example, this time from the Hall of Mosses trail in the Hoe Rainforest, USA.
This was an interesting test as I had tried to process the image on the left many times. Each time, I failed to reproduce the mood of the forest I had experienced at the time. This time, I created the image on the right following my Dark Image System. I could have taken this further, but I decided to jump into Photoshop to complete my Dodging & Burning. Here’s the result.
After this, I knew I was onto something, but I still needed to develop this into a system that could be widely applied.
Developing the Dark Image System
At this point, most of my processing was of woodland images. When you find something that works well with one photo, it tends to work well with other similar photos. I now decided to try the system with a different type of image.
On the left is the original RAW file, while on the right is the image following editing in Lightroom. As before, this doesn’t use any complicated tools. The only selection tools are the Radial and Linear Gradients and the Brush Tools. And here’s the image following the finishing touches in Photoshop.
Since then, I’ve tried the Dark Image System with many images. It hasn’t worked with all of them, but for many, it’s completely transformed my results.
Would You Like to Learn This System?
Using what I’ve learned, I have decided to develop a video course and eBook for the Dark Image System. I don’t know the timescales, but If you would like to stay informed of developments, let me know using the form below.
Everyone registering an early interest will receive a launch discount.
I will also run an early live training session to teach the Dark Image System to a small group of photographers (max 10). This will take place before the video and book are launched. Attendees will receive a recording together with the course and book when available.
The only way to register your interest in attending the live session is by using the form below.
Thank you.
Robin
Hi Robin,I also have no images, but would like to hear more about the system. I use Capture one 20, AF, and an old Lightroom Classic cc, the later only for printing.Maybe i could find a workaround?
I don’t know. As I’ve explained in a couple of other comments, there is something about the way Lightroom applies these changes. I’ve not seen that easily replicated in other software.
Robin,
I’m interested in the ebook and video course. I tried to fill out the above application but gave up after the 8th captcha page. Google can be a PIA
Thanks Roger. I feel your pain. Don’t worry, I’ve manually recorded your details.
look forward your video course. It’s are excelent
Thank you.
Sounds good Robin. Interestingly enough, I fell into something similar this past week while going thru the early chapters of your latest kindly book on Photoshop CC. I was using the gradients mentioned in the basic Photoshop tools and while messing around with the brush and masks I found some interesting results that seemed worthy of follow up. Looks like you are developing something that I am definitely interested in.
Cheers
Bob Meneguzzo
Southwick MA
Thanks Bob
Interested to learn more the initial samples look interesting
Great, thanks
Thank you for all your photographic support via ebooks and YouTube
You’re very welcome. Thank you.
No images!
There was a problem on the website following a plugin update. I think I’ve resolved it now. At least I can’t see any problems in the test browsers.
Looks interesting.
Thanks
Hi Robin,
You call this a ‘dark image system for LR’ but in the examples you use PS for final adjustments. Does that mean that your final system will need both LR and PS or are you refining it for just LR?
Nigel
I’ve used Photoshop with some of the images to add what I call finishing effects like sharpening and a limited Orton effect. The Dark Image System only requires Lightroom and is about extracting the best result from the RAW file. You can then add further effects using Photoshop if you wish.
This looks interesting. I always enjoy Robin’s courses, which are clear and concise so I’m sure this will be no different.
Thank you. I hope I can make this the best yet.
I find that using the haze reduction slider accomplishes much of what you render in lightroom.
Not really. Moving the Haze slider to the left just softens and lightens an image, reducing the contrast. That actually reduces the strength of the of the colours in the image rather than increasing them.
Yes please
Coming soon
Very interesting approach, and one that I’ve been thinking about toying with myself. Looking forward to a video course
Thank you. Hopefully the approach might surprise you once it’s launched.
I don’t use Lightroom. Can this system be also used with Adobe Camera Raw?
Not at the moment. I’ve tried to apply it to other RAW converters and the results aren’t as good as with Lightroom. If the Lightroom system proves popular, I may try to develop it for other tools.
This looks interesting
Thanks
I’ve tried, and failed, to get the results you are getting. It adds mood and atmosphere to your examples. Although I don’t have your talent for photography I think it may help guide me in the right direction. Dave.
I’m pleased you find it interesting and like the results.
I am a constant reader of all your Lenscraft monthly publications plus have purchased several opf your books. I can’tg wait to get more details on this dark-image system.
Keep up the good work and publications.
Kind regards
Robert.
Thank you. Much appreciated