Lightroom Editing Workflow For Artistic Images – Live Demo

Most wildlife photographers know the frustration of capturing a special moment in the field, only to feel stuck when editing the image later. Should you sharpen? Add contrast? How do you bring out the mood without overprocessing? These are common struggles for photographers who want their edits to enhance—not ruin—their work.

In this training, Gerry van der Walt, professional safari guide, photographic educator, and co-founder of Wild Eye, walked members through his editing workflow for both “freeze” images (sharp, natural moments) and “flow” images (motion blurs, pans, and creative slow shutters). Gerry shared how he uses Lightroom, Photoshop, Nik Collection, and Topaz Photo AI to simplify editing and unlock creative possibilities in wildlife photography.

What You’ll Learn in the Training

In this replay, Gerry covers how to approach your wildlife images with a clear vision and use editing tools effectively to match that vision. Here are the key lessons:

Defining “Freeze” vs. “Flow” Images

• Freeze images: sharp, natural wildlife shots where edits should be subtle and true-to-life.
• Flow images: creative motion blurs and pans where you have more freedom to push contrast, color, and texture.
• Understanding the difference helps you decide how far you can go with processing.

The Five Core Pillars of Processing

• Vision before version – know what you want before moving sliders.
• Processing is part of capture – fieldwork and editing are one continuum.
• Subtlety is strength – avoid edits that draw attention to themselves.
• Work smarter, not harder – use tools like Nik and Topaz to save time.
• Every image is unique – avoid one-click presets; tailor edits to the shot.

Lightroom Tools That Matter Most

• Focus on four sliders for creative edits: Contrast, Clarity, Texture, Dehaze.
• Each affects contrast differently—learn how to balance them without overcooking the image.
• Use masks to treat subjects and backgrounds separately, especially for motion blur shots.

Efficient Workflow with Multiple Programs

• Start in Lightroom for raw adjustments and file organization.
• Move into Photoshop as a workspace for layers, Nik filters, and Topaz edits.
• Flatten layers in Photoshop before sending back to Lightroom to avoid cluttering your catalog with multiple versions.

Practical Editing Demonstrations

• See how Gerry processes motion blurs of zebras and lions using only a few sliders.
• Learn how to extract detail or add atmosphere with Nik Color Efex filters like Pro Contrast, Detail Extractor, and Glamour Glow.
• Understand when to apply Topaz Photo AI for sharpening and noise reduction without introducing artifacts.
• Follow Gerry’s two guiding questions: “What do I like about this image?” and “What don’t I like?”—repeat three times for stronger results.

Who This Training Is For

This session will be valuable if you are:

• A wildlife photographer who wants to edit more confidently in Lightroom and Photoshop.
• Someone interested in experimenting with creative blurs and pans for portfolio depth.
• A photographer struggling with noise, sharpening, or cluttered file versions during post-processing.
• Intermediate to advanced shooters who want to move beyond “sharpness” as the only measure of a good photo.

Real Feedback From Attendees

“This is very good training – thank you!” – Lynda Rodig:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

“This has been sooooooo helpful!!!” – Peter Eckstein:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

“Very informative and inspiring session, Gerry! Thank you!” – Angela Johnson:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

“Wow!! What a great process to learn about! My Lightroom catalog thanks you!!” – Jann Ledbetter:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

“Fantastic presentation. Thanks very much.” – Margaret Abraham:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

About the Presenter

Gerry van der Walt is a professional safari guide, photographic educator, and expedition leader from South Africa. With over 20 years of experience, he has guided travelers across Africa, Svalbard, Greenland, and beyond. Gerry co-founded Wild Eye, a company dedicated to photographic safaris worldwide. His work has been featured in international publications, and he is a sought-after speaker for wildlife photography training. You can explore more of his photography and travel offerings at www.gerryvanderwalt.com.