Editing Overcast / Cloudy Pictures in Lightroom 4

©JP Parmley

Here is a quick way to convert photos taken on cold, overcast days to something a bit warmer.  This particular photo was taken in between the wedding and the reception at a local park.  It was about 35 degrees and complete overcast.  Because of the cold temperature, we were trying get a few quick pictures. 

For this example I used Lightroom 4, my primary workflow tool for color, exposure, and noise editing.  I have created a preset that I apply to pictures taken in this type of situation.  I can then fine tune them to meet the specific pictures needs.

The preset has the following settings:

Contrast +33

Highlights -88

Shadows +45

Whites -34

Blacks +34

Clarity +7

Vibrance +7

Saturation +8

 To create the preset in Lightroom, set the sliders where you want them, then click the "+" icon above the preset pane.  Give it whatever name you want, then it will be available for you to apply on future pictures. I have also added a little vignette after the fact as well.

In a perfect world, I would have adjusted the white balance to a set of portable strobes and reflectors, but the wind was blowing making the wind chill probably in the low teens. With us just getting a few pics, we opted to edit the look after the fact and save the bride from freezing in her strapless dress.

After

Before

Enjoy

JP