Crafting a compelling edit starts with a solid foundation. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a striking dark blue aesthetic using only Lightroom Classic. The process covers cleaning up distractions, adjusting basic settings, and enhancing the image with detailed masking and color grading.

Coming to you from Christian Möhrle of The Phlog Photography, this practical video begins by addressing the importance of cleaning up your image before making adjustments. Using Lightroom's Remove Tool with generative AI, Möhrle demonstrates how to eliminate distracting tree branches in the composition. He advises skipping the "Detect Objects" setting when working with certain scenes for a cleaner result. The cleanup process sets the stage for better edits, ensuring nothing interferes with the subject or overall aesthetic.

Next, Möhrle tackles basic adjustments, focusing on correcting color casts and setting an even tonal base. He explains how to use the histogram to identify a blue color cast and neutralize it by adjusting the temperature slider. By slightly raising the exposure, shadows, and blacks, the image gains depth and brightness, which sets the groundwork for later enhancements. He also tweaks the Vibrance and switches to a "Standard" profile to reduce contrast and reveal more shadow details.

The tutorial's most impactful section revolves around masking. Möhrle shares how to create a cold, dark blue look by isolating the background. Using linear gradients combined with subtractive subject masks, he darkens the edges while keeping the subject untouched. He further emphasizes the blue tones by lowering the temperature selectively in the background, creating a complementary contrast against the warmer subject tones. A radial gradient is used to introduce a natural-looking beam of light, adding dimension and focus to the scene.

For the subject, Möhrle creates a dedicated mask to add texture, contrast, and slight warmth. He refines details like the bird's eye, enhancing its sharpness and brightness for a more lifelike appearance. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Möhrle.