When it comes to editing wildlife photos, a few small adjustments can go a long way — especially if you know where to direct the viewer’s attention.
In this first video of our post-processing series with Matt Kloskowski, Matt shares his go-to technique for helping your subject pop without over-editing. It’s quick, effective, and doesn’t require any complex tools or retouching.
Let’s walk through the concept.
Why This Works
Wildlife photography often has competing elements — a bright sky, a cluttered background, or a subject that blends in. Matt’s technique flips that dynamic:
- Brighten the subject just enough to make it stand out
- Darken the background subtly so it recedes
- Do it all using AI-powered Select Subject and Invert Mask tools
It’s not about heavy editing. It’s about guiding the viewer’s eye.
The Step-by-Step Breakdown
- Start with Cropping (Optional)
Crop the photo if needed so you’re working with the final composition. - Create a Subject Mask
Use the Select Subject masking option in Lightroom or Camera Raw. It will automatically detect the subject — bird, mammal, or anything in between. - Brighten the Subject
- Slightly raise Exposure, Whites, or Shadows
- Add a touch of Contrast or Black to keep depth
- Watch for that “sticker” effect — if it looks fake, dial it back
- Duplicate and Invert the Mask
With one click, select everything except the subject. - Darken the Background
- Gently lower Exposure, Shadows, or Blacks
- Add subtle Contrast to enrich the tones
- Optionally adjust Color Temperature or Saturation for balance
A Few Pro Tips from Matt
- Noise Reduction First: If the photo is noisy, run Denoise before masking. It’ll prevent masking conflicts.
- Use Your Eyes: Let the photo sit, then revisit it later. If it feels unnatural, adjust.
- Don’t Overdo It: The goal is subtle control — not dramatic contrast.
Watch the Full Tutorial
In the video, Matt walks through real examples using a hummingbird, eagle, and egret to show how this technique works in different scenarios.