Coffee With Amanda: Fixing White Balance Problems in LightRoom

Hi there! Long time, no see!! This is Amanda, from Everyday Elements and I am beyond thrilled to be guest posting here today!

Rita and I keep up with each other's Facebook pages and I noticed several Lightroom questions being asked, so I offered to do a quick tutorial for CoffeeShop readers, and Rita graciously accepted, so here I am!

If you don't have Lightroom (LightRoom 4 just came out!), let me explain that it is an AMAZING file management program, with built in editing options that are similar to Photoshop's Adobe Camera Raw. For me the Library/file management side of Lightroom is the biggest advantage, but many others use it for it's batch editing capabilities, for both raw and jpg images.

Okay, that said, I want to show how to quickly fix white balance problems your images may have.

• What is white balance? That is the overall color temperature of your picture and it is determined by the WB setting on your camera and the type of light you were in when the picture was captured.
• If your image is really orange/yellow then your WB is too warm. If your image is too red/blue then your WB is too cool.
• When the white balance is off, the whole picture will just look "off," no matter how great everything else is with it.

See my SOOC (straight out of camera) shot below? The white balance is too warm; my daughter does not have red hair. ;-)





To fix the WB in Lightroom (this is the SAME for LR 4, 3 and 2), simply click on the eyedropper tool, then click in the whites of the eyes. Sometimes you will need to try different spots, so after clicking and not seeing what you want, just press the 'w' key on your keyboard. That reactivates your eyedropper tool, and you can click again.

What if you do not have any eyes in your picture? Look for something that should be gray or neutral. That can be a zipper, button, silver jewelry (as long as it's not reflecting light), a fence, gate, door knob, you name it.





Once you get the WB you want, you can then "sync" other images that were shot in the same light/setting. Usually I do all my global (applies to whole image, not local spots) edits then sync with other pictures, but for this example I am only syncing the white balance.

• Below your main workspace is a thumbnail strip of other pictures in that collection/keyword tags/import (however you were viewing the image in the Library module before moving over to the Develop module).
• The image you are working on will be a lighter shade than those surrounding it, hold down your shift key and then click the last picture in the series of images you wish to sync.

• After highlighting all the pictures with similar lighting/wb then press the 'sync' button (labeled with 2nd above).
• When the dialogue box comes open, click the 'check none' box so that none of the settings are selected.
• Cick the box next to White Balance.
• Press 'synchronize,' and that adjusted white balance will be applied to those other images, saving you from having to do each one individually.

There you have it....fixing white balance in Lightroom is just that easy!

If you are very new to Lightroom and would love to learn how to really rock both the Library (file management) and the Develop (photo editing) modules, I recommend taking one of my Lightroom workshops that I offer via Pretty Presets. They are super affordable and jam-packed with value!

♥ Read more!

CoffeeShop Vintage Frames 25

Here is a new vintage web frame (original sent by Lori Peterson, thank you Lori!).  I have included both a layered fully adjustable psd version with two clipping masks options (one vintage, another with rounded corners) that you can use in PSE or Photoshop and a simple png with a cutout that you can use in any editing program.  These frames are great ways to show off your images on blogs/websites/pinterest/etc. or they can be used in digital scrapbooking/card design/web design.

The layered psd frame has 4 layers.  Turn on the clipping mask you want to use (I turned on the Vintage Clipping Mask layer) and group your image to that mask then Ctrl-T it to fit.  You can also use my Group-It action.  You can toggle on the optional Frame Color layer to change the frame color and put this layer in color, multiply, soft light, or even overlay blending mode.  I used multiply in the image above.

Download the free CoffeeShop Vintage Frames 25.  You can also download it here.  These are not actions so don't load them in your program as actions but rather open them like an image file.

Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop Actions or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures (including this frame).

♥ Read more!

{Friday Photo Bliss}

Inspired by the SouleMama blog's {this moment}, I am posting one image every Friday, taken that week, that really makes me happy. If you end up doing the same I would love to see your photo linked in my comments!

Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop Actions or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures.

♥ Read more!

CoffeeShop Facebook Cover 4!

First I want to point out this amazing tutorial showing how to copy layer masks by Amanda of EveryDay Elements.  This technique can be invaluable when editing portraits.  Thank you Amanda!!!

Second, here is another customizable CoffeeShop Facebook Cover where I used a vintage frame from Lori Peterson.   I will post a larger version of this frame later.  I have included both a fully adjustable layered psd file for use in Photoshop or PSE and also a simple png file with photo cutouts that can be used in any editing program.  I have several other Facebook Covers already posted, please check them out!

If you want to use the layered version and are new to using clipping masks to add your images, I have this simple tutorial and also my Group-It action.

Download the free  CoffeeShop Facebook  Cover 4.  You can also download it here.  NOTE:  These are image files, not actions!

Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop Actions or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures.  Thanks for helping me keep everything I post on this blog free!!!

♥ Read more!

Check out March Madness at ColorInc!!!

I am so proud to have Color Inc Pro Lab as a sponsor on my blog. Not only are their prints and products beautiful, but their customer service is exceptional.  And their specials this month are outstanding!!!

If you are just trying them out for the first time, you can receive five 5x7 test prints for 1 cent! This is a perfect way to make sure your prints match your monitor.  If you are looking for a great place to print your images, please check out Color Inc Pro Lab.


And  please go "like" the Color Inc Facebook page  to keep informed of all of their great deals and tell them that Rita of CoffeeShop sent you!  They are one of the reasons I can keep everything on this blog free.  Thank you Color Inc!

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CoffeeShop Luminous Color Burst PSE/Photoshop Action!

I think this is one of my most practical action, and a personal favorite of mine.  CoffeeShop Luminous Color Burst allows you to easily make your images pop with vibrant luminous color, dodge and burn selective areas, and is completely adjustable.

The download for the action is at the bottom of this post.

CoffeeShop Luminous Color Burst Action Instructions

 1.  Open your image.  This is an SOOC (straight-out-of-the-camera) image.

2.  Start the action.  A Levels adjustment layer will pop up.  Press OK.

3. Adjust the highlights, shadows, and midtones to taste by adjusting the sliders under the histogram.  I kept the shadows the same (left slider) and made the highlights (right slider) and midtones (middle slider) brighter for this edit by moving the sliders to the left.  When you are finished press OK.

4.  When the action is finished running you will see 5 layers over your background.  Note:  The Color Deluxe layer was renamed Color Burst and I was too lazy to make new screenshots.  :-)

5.   I first adjust the Color Burst layer.  Adjust the opacity to taste. It is preset to 50%, but I turned it up to 100% for this edit.

6.  One of the problems with a vivid color pop is that it can add too much red to skin as seen in this closeup.  I will use the layer mask to remove the color pop on these areas.

7.  Alt-click on the Color Burst layer mask and your image will look like an x-ray.  The black areas are masked so the color burst won't be applied to that part of the image.  The white areas are not masked, so those areas are getting the color burst effect.  I want to remove the color burst off his skin. If you are new to painting on layer masks I wrote a simple layer mask tutorial.

NOTE: You don't have to use the alt-click method, you can simply paint over the layer mask. I just like to do it so I can see where I am painting.

8.  I selected a soft black brush (b) and painted over his head and hand.

9.  Alt-click on the color burst layer mask again and you can now see that the red is removed from his face and hand.

10. Now I want to dodge (lighten) the path.  Click on the Lighten It layer mask while holding down shift-alt.  I used a soft low opacity white brush to paint over the pathway.  You can see where I painted where the red is less bright.

11.  I wanted to burn (darken) the woods and sides of the pathway, so I clicked on the Darken It layer mask while holding down shift-alt and used a soft white low opacity brush to brush around the image to darken it.  You can see where I painted where the red is less bright.

You can see there is quite a difference between the before and after.  I hope you love this action as much as I do. Download the totally free CoffeeShop Luminous Color Burst PSE/Photoshop Action.  You can also download it here.

Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop Actions or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack (includes this action!) or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures.

For complete info on installing all of my actions, click here.

♥ Read more!

Special Prices on LightRoom Workshops to Go at Pretty Presets!

I am putting the final touches on my tutorial and post on my newest free action, CoffeeShop Luminous Color Burst, and I hope to release it in a day or two. But I wanted to post about this great deal over at Pretty Presets for LightRoom Workshops to Go. If you have wanted to learn how to use LR, now is the time! I don't know what I would do without my LR3.  I love CS5 and PSE (especially for creative editing using textures and actions), but I do 95% of my basic color/contrast editing in LR3 because it is fast and so easy.

Enjoy 30-40% off Lightroom Workshops To Go!

For a limited time only! Enjoy 30-40% off our Lightroom Workshops To Go. With Lightroom 3 being only $89 on Amazon today and so many people just starting, I’ve decided to offer a special 48 hour FLASH SALE on our Workshops. No code is needed and this deal will last for just 48 hours. This sale will end at 4pm EST on Friday!

Check out our Lightroom Workshop To Go! It's normally $50 for only $35. You will receive access to a 2 hour recorded workshop, 15 additional videos to help, a 20 page manual AND you receive a $10 off Gift Card to Pretty Presets and a $10 Gift Card to Everyday Elements in the download!

We have 3 options to help you with Lightroom today:

1. Clean and Creative Workshop To Go (30% off)
2. Lightroom Workshop To Go (40% off)
3. Light It Up Combo (Both Clean and Creative and Lightroom Workshop To Go) for $60

5 Hot February Posts from Pretty Presets
What my K9 Waste Cleanup guy has taught me about business
What are Aperture and Shutter Speed?
Making filters work to your advantage
Should I sell my unedited pictures to clients?
New Release of 25 Custom Lightroom Brushes and Graduated Filters

Have you downloaded our FREE Timeline Covers for Facebook yet? If not, click here come and enjoy them today! Thanks for being such wonderful fans and friends. We are so thankful for you.

Be sure to check our site for more fun goodies! We recently had free Valentine's templates designed by EW Couture. These templates can work year round for any event are are ready for print!

Be sure to stay connected with us on facebook for more great offers. Thank you and enjoy your day!

♥ Read more!

CoffeeShop Vintage Frames 24

I am excited to post a new vintage frame that was sent to me by the always generous Lori Peterson.   This frame download includes a layered psd with a clipping mask and a simple png where you drag the image behind the frame.  This frames is pretty large and can be used on the web or print.  I hope you enjoy these vintage frames as much as I do.

Download the free CoffeeShop Vintage Frames 24!  You can also download it here.  These are image files, not actions!

Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop Actions or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures.

For complete info on installing all of my actions, click here.

♥ Read more!

{Friday Photo Bliss}

Inspired by the SouleMama blog's {this moment}, I am posting one image every Friday, taken that week, that really makes me happy. If you end up doing the same I would love to see your photo linked in my comments!

Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop Actions or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures.

For complete info on installing all of my actions, click here.

♥ Read more!

Pretty Presets Lightroom Brushes

Laura of Pretty Presets just sent me her newest set of Lightroom Brushes and I have spent part of the morning playing. I have never used Lightroom brushes and graduated filters (other than the few included with LightRoom), and the ones from Pretty Preset are amazing. And they are only $20!!!  Editing with brushes in LightRoom is similar to using adjustment layers and layer masks in Photoshop and allows you to spot edit parts of your image.  I am going to let Laura tell you all about them.

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I would like to introduce you to our new Custom Lightroom Brushes and Graduated Filters. These brushes and filters will make your job in Lightroom easier. They give you the ability to edit specific parts of your photo instead of applying a preset over the entire image. These have become our best selling collections pretty quickly. These can be used in all the current Lightroom versions 1, 2 and 3 and can be applied to RAW and jpeg pictures. This set is amazing on babies too! Click here to view more about the brushes including a video on how they can be used in Lightroom.





Brushes used: Brighten the Face, Soften the Skin, Fix the Red, then Baby Feet and under eyes. Thank you JAS Photography for sharing this beautiful edit with us!





Brushes Used: Blue Eyes and Rose Filter. Thanks to Reminisce Studio Photography by Chiante Black for sharing this beautiful edit.



Brushes used: BR Fix Red all over the baby, Fix Baby Feet on the lower eye and then Brighten and Soften Skin. Thank you JAS Photography for sharing this beautiful edit.





Brushes used: BR Blue Eyes and Warm Haze. Thanks to Reminisce Studio Photography by Chiante Black for sharing this beautiful edit.

What Photographers are saying about our brushes...

"♥ LOVE ♥LOVE ♥LOVE the new brushes. I had a blast playing with them this evening! Thanks so much your presets are the bomb!!!"

"Your brushes saved my bacon again today!! The newest shot I was working on had sunlight filtering through little boy fingers making it appear as though he had red nail polish on....not really what I was going for!! Enter in a few brushes and voila all fixed quick and easy like!"

"Can I say easy....I use Lightroom and Photoshop normally but with these new brushes I can do all edits in Lightroom in Raw no less"


"So happy I got your new brushes set today! I just love how they helped reduce the redness of "stork bites" on this little one! Thanks for your amazing products!!"

"Good news is the brushes and filters are so easy in Lightroom. I had never used the brushes until I bought these ones learned in 15 minutes"

"At $20.00, this is a steal!! Not even a dollar a brush!! What will you waste 20 bucks on this week, which you could instead invest into your business/craft to make work flow easier and less time consuming? Yeah...I am a believer!!"

Would you like to learn more about our lightroom brushes or presets? We would love share more with you! Please come visit us at www.lightroompresets.com. We look forward to working with you!

♥ Read more!

CoffeeShop Action Flashback - Golden Vintage Action!

We are still trying to get completely moved and settled in our new house.  I haven't had much energy to post because I am still unpacking and arranging, but I promise I will be back posting regularly as soon as possible.

I like to go through my older actions and "rediscover" them.  I wrote CoffeeShop Golden Vintage in April 2009, and it was one of my first actions.  I still like to use it, especially on flowers/scenery.  If you haven't tried it out, go check out the post and download it.  It is a fun little adjustable action.

Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop Actions or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures.

For complete info on installing all of my actions, click here.

♥ Read more!

CoffeeShop Vintage Frames 23!

Still moving junk from the old house to the new (it is going to take at least a month since I can only work on it part-time) and unpacking, but my kitchen is almost completely set up.  A house is not a home until you can start cooking.  Today we are going to take a break and go visit the library.  I love that we live in a small town with a great library and many wonderful parks.  I just need to get used to more street noise (we live pretty close to a busy road), but it is already becoming almost soothing, like the ocean.  ;-)

I completely freaked out this morning because I woke up and realized I hadn't seen my camera/lens bag since the move.  I frantically search everywhere and couldn't find it, so I ran to my husband and told him the movers must have stolen all of my camera equipment.  My husband is a rock and tried to calm me down and told me worst case scenario I could buy another camera, which didn't help much because even my Canon Rebel does not come cheap.  Of course, a few minutes later I found everything in a cabinet and felt like a total fool.  Moving really messes with you and makes your evil crazy twin come out.

I wanted to post another vintage frame that can be used for digital scrapbooking,  greeting cards/storyboards for print or web,  blog headers/buttons, or to display your favorite images on your blogs/websites.  This frame is a simple png file, so you can open it in any photo-editing program.  Simply drag your image behind the cutout and save as a jpg.  To keep the background transparent, save as a png.

Hope you enjoy this new vintage frame!  NOTE:  This is not an action!  Open like any other image.

Download the free CoffeeShop Vintage Frames 23!  You can also download it here.

Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop Actions or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures.

♥ Read more!