Develop Module

There are extensive resources for learning how to use the LrC develop module. It's best to start with an overview and then look for help on specific topics like using masks. Here are some links:
A word of caution - LrC changes regularly so depending on when you are looking at the above some things may have changed. The free eBooks above are kept up to date by the publisher and all of the YouTube channels produce "what's new in LrC" videos but sometimes it relates to just the mobile versions of Lr rather than LrC although the channels I have chosen mostly only deal with LrC.
The Develop module in Lightroom Classic is where the magic happens. Changes to the preview of your image are made by adjusting sliders for each attribute such as contrast, highlights, shadows etc.
Bang the sliders in each of the panels back and forth to see what they do but finish with only making subtle adjustments. You don't need to use every adjustment!
Here are some key things to understand:
Panels and Tools - The Develop module contains two sets of panels and a toolbar. On the left, you'll find the Navigator, Presets, Snapshots, History, and Collections panels for previewing, saving, and selecting changes. On the right, you'll find tools and panels for making global and local adjustments to your photos.
Histogram Panel - This panel allows you to measure colour tones and make tonal adjustments to your photo. It also displays additional information about the Smart Preview status, EXIF information, and RGB values. Use this to quickly identify any exposure issues. The histogram displays the tonal range of the image, helping you to understand if the photo is overexposed or underexposed. You can also make adjustments by dragging areas directly on the histogram.
Basic Panel - This is where you can adjust the photo's white balance, colour saturation, tonal scale, and edit in HDR. It's the main panel for making initial adjustments. This is your go-to panel for initial adjustments. Adjust the white balance to correct any colour casts, tweak the exposure to lighten or darken the image, and use the contrast slider to add depth. You can also fine-tune highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks to bring out details in both the light and dark areas of your photo.
Tone Curve Panel - This panel allows for fine-tuning your tonal adjustments. It provides additional control with a Refine Saturation slider to adjust colour saturation while making curve adjustments. For precise tonal adjustments, the Tone Curve is key. Use the curve to make contrast adjustments to specific tonal regions. For example, you can lift the shadows to add more detail or darken the highlights to recover lost details.
Colour Mixer and Colour Grading Panels - The Colour Mixer panel lets you make colour adjustments, while the Colour Grading panel allows you to colour monochrome images or create special effects with colour images. The Colour Mixer allows you to adjust the hue, saturation, and luminance of specific colours. For instance, if the sky is too washed out, you can increase the saturation of the blues. The Colour Grading panel lets you add colour tints to the shadows, midtones, and highlights, perfect for creating a cinematic look or adjusting the mood of your photo.
Detail Panel - This panel is used to adjust sharpness and reduce noise in your photos. Sharpen your image to enhance fine details, like the texture in a landscape or the details in a portrait. Use noise reduction to minimize grain, especially useful for high ISO images taken in low light.
Lens Corrections and Transform Panels - These panels help correct chromatic aberration, lens vignetting, and distortions caused by the camera lens. Correct lens distortions and perspective issues. Use these panels to fix things like barrel distortion or to straighten lines in architectural photos. You can also correct chromatic aberration, which appears as colour fringing along edges.
Effects Panel - This panel lets you apply a vignette to a cropped photo and add a film-grain effect. Add a vignette to draw attention to the centre of the image. This is often used in portrait photography. The film-grain effect can be used to give your photo a vintage or cinematic feel.
Calibration Panel - This panel allows you to make adjustments to the default colour calibration settings for your camera. This is for advanced users who want to fine-tune the colours to match the camera's profile or to achieve a specific look. You can adjust the Red, Green, and Blue primary colours to modify the overall colour interpretation of your image.
Customization - You can customize the order of the Develop panels to suit your workflow. Right-click (Win) / Control-click (Mac) on the header of any panel and select "Customize Develop Panel" from the context menu.
Watch out for these common mistakes when using the develop panel:
Overuse of the Basic Panel Sliders - It's easy to go overboard with adjustments. For example, pushing the Clarity slider too far can make images look unnatural. Similarly, excessive exposure adjustments can lead to loss of detail.
Ignoring the Histogram - The histogram provides valuable information about the exposure and tonal range of your photo. Not using it can result in images that are too dark (underexposed) or too bright (overexposed).
Not Using Lens Corrections - Skipping lens corrections can result in distorted images. Always check for and correct lens issues like chromatic aberration and vignetting.
Over-Sharpening in the Detail Panel - While sharpening can enhance details, too much can introduce noise and make your photo look grainy. And also introduce halos around objects. It's crucial to find a balance.
Incorrect Use of the Tone Curve - The Tone Curve tool can be complex. Making aggressive changes without understanding it can lead to poor contrast and tonal balance. Always make subtle adjustments and preview the effects.
Ignoring White Balance Adjustments - White balance is crucial for colour accuracy. Ignoring it can leave your photos with unwanted colour casts. Adjust it to match the lighting conditions when the photo was taken.
Overdoing Effects - Effects like vignetting and grain can add artistic flair, but overuse can make photos look unprofessional. Subtlety is key.
Not Calibrating Your Monitor - Editing on an uncalibrated monitor can result in colours that look different on other screens or in prints. Always ensure your monitor is calibrated for accurate colour representation.
Neglecting Before-and-After Views - Regularly comparing your edited photo to the original can help you avoid over-editing and ensure your adjustments enhance the image rather than detract from it.
Forgetting to Use Presets and Profiles - Presets and profiles can provide a great starting point for your edits. Experiment with them to speed up your workflow and achieve consistent looks.
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