How to Edit Like This on Lightroom

Self-portraiture is more than just standing in front of a lens—it’s storytelling, healing, and art. 


These images were captured in natural light, drawing from both indoor and outdoor settings. What makes them transformative is not just the framing, but the editing process in Lightroom, where light, colour, and tone come together to create mood and meaning.

In this post, I’ll break down the editing approach I used on these photographs, the thought process behind each choice, and how subtle adjustments can elevate an image from raw capture. 


1. Harnessing Natural Light Indoors

The indoor shots by the window are a blend of soft natural light and intentional contrast. The light streaming in creates a painterly quality—highlighting skin tones while keeping the background slightly muted.

Lightroom Breakdown:

  • Exposure: Slightly increased (+0.20) to keep skin luminous.

  • Contrast: Boosted (+15) to bring definition between subject and background.

  • Highlights: Lowered (-20) to retain details in bright areas of the blouse and jewellery.

  • Shadows: Lifted (+25) to soften facial features without losing mood.

  • White Balance: Warm tones enhanced to complement gold accents in the saree and jewellery



    2. Sepia & Vintage Tones for Nostalgia

    Some edits intentionally leaned into sepia and monochrome tones to evoke nostalgia. This gives a timeless, cinematic feel—transforming the images into visual memories rather than contemporary captures.

    Lightroom Breakdown:

    • Profile: “Vintage Sepia” preset as a base.

    • Clarity: Reduced (-10) for a softer, dreamy look.

    • Split Toning: Warm brown highlights + subtle faded blacks.

    • Texture: Decreased slightly to keep skin smooth and natural.

    • Grain: Added (+20) to simulate film-like authenticity.

   4. Balancing Color & Emotion

   The real power of these edits lies in balancing vibrance with restraint. Too much saturation could overshadow the grace of the saree, while too little might drain the emotion. Lightroom’s targeted adjustments allowed me to keep the focus on the subject’s expression and posture while supporting  the narrative with background elements.


Closing Thoughts

Photography is not only about capturing images, but about shaping them into visual poetry. These edits were less about perfection and more about storytelling—bringing together light, fabric, architecture, and emotion in a cohesive frame.

Lightroom becomes a canvas where sliders replace brushstrokes, and every adjustment breathes life into the photograph. For me, these self-portraits are not just images—they are meditations on presence, identity, and artistry.

#Lightroomediting tips #Self-portrait photography guide #Natural light portraitediting #VintageEditing #Saree #PratibhaGihar #Freedompratzz #SelfPortraitArtist #SelfPhotographer #DentistturnedintoCreator #Howtotakeyourphotos


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