Fix any Blown Out Photo even if it’s Totally Clipped!

In today’s video, I’m going to show you how to un-clip any photo.

Fixing a photo at this level may seem difficult at a glance but it’s actually not hard and we’re going to make short work of this. I’m going to show you what to do when NON of that is enough and you have an image so clipped that it seems like it’s useless. This is how you can fix ANY clipped photo.

If you expose well you can usually get rid of clipping and have stunning dynamic range using simple sliders, presets like Natural HDR or Filmist presets with a few of its dynamic chemical mods.

So for me there are 3 levels of clipping. Here’s why it happens and how to fix it every time.

You can also DOWNLOAD the RAW file I use in this to follow along.

You can also watch this directly on my YouTube channel.

Level 1 light clipping resolved with simple presets and adjustments like Natural HDR.

Level 2 resolved with presets and local adjustment mask

Level 3, resolved with painting back detail on PS , Affinity etc. This requires some time depending on the retail you need but it always works.

fix clipped photos, lightroom, photo school, photoshop

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Tell me your thoughts....

David Gibides says:

04/09/2022 at 04:34

Gavin, I have purchased from you in the past and think you are so talented as an educator as well as photographer. One o the good one! Thanks for all you do. You have in part contributed to my being able to elevate my work. David

Reply
1. Gavin Seim says:
  
  04/10/2022 at 20:29
  
  Thanks David, your work is lovley
  
  Gav
  
  Reply

About the Author

Glad you're here.

I'm from WA State USA and started studying photography in 97. I started work as a pro (using that word loosely because I sucked) using film at age 16. I learned fast but was not as easy to find training then. Sometimes I beat my head against the wall until I figured stuff out.

As digital dawned I went all in and got to study with masters like Ken Whitmire. In 09 I founded the Pro Photo Show podcast. I started promoting tone-focused editing. When Lightroom arrived, I started developing tools to make editing and workflow better.

20 years of study and photography around the country earned me a Master of Photography (M.Photog) from PPA. I got to see my workshops and tools featured in publications across the industry. Once I even won the prestigious HotOne award for my "EXposed" light and tone workshop.

Wanting something calmer, I moved to Mexico in 2017. It's a land of magical light. I'm here now exploring light and trying to master my weak areas. I make videos of that for my Youtube channel, sharing what I learn. I hope you'll stick around and be part of Light Hunters Tribe... Gavin

Gavin Seim

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