Smart_Photography_-_December_2015_

In case Lightroom does not have the
needed profile in its database or if the
EXIF data has been destroyed, then you
can manually correct the defects by
clicking on the Manual tab next to the
colour Tab (Picture 5-2↓5). For now,
assume that Lightroom lens database
has the needed profile.

Straighten and Correcting
Perspective: Once you are done
with lens corrections, it is time to
look at the image and improve it. Let
us first look at the most common
mistake by many photographers,
which is improper level. This causes
horizontal lines like horizon or
buildings to look inclined. It is also
called “tilting” or “misalignment”.
The reason for this is that the camera
was not held at a perfect level while
taking the photograph. This is however,
easier said than done since even
an inclination of less than a degree
will be quite visible in the image!
Fortunately, the correction can be done
in Lightroom and more importantly, it
is fully automatic!

The next mistake that many
photographers make is to tilt the

camera up when photographing a tall

building. This makes the building in the

image look as it is leaning backwards.

This is not in the strict sense an error

but an optical effect called perspective.

Picture 5-1: The Lens Correction Tool expanded and Pro-
file tab selected. The symbol ↓ indicates arrow numbers.
5-1↓1 Lens Corrections tool
5-1↓2 Click here for expanding
5-1↓3 Profile Tab
5-1↓4 Enable Profile Corrections
5-1↓5 Default Tab
5-1↓6 Lens Profile

Picture 5-2: The Lens Correction Tool expanded and

Basic tab selected.

5-2↓1 Basic Tab

5-2↓2 Check boxes

5-2↓3 Upright option

5-2↓4 Auto followed by Level, Vertical and Full options

5-2↓5 Manual Tab

Picture 5-3: Before correcting for improper level and

perspective. Note how the wall at the back is inclined

and tower is leaning.

Picture 5-4: After correction. Note how both the issues

in Picture 5-3 have been virtually eliminated. Just one

click did this!

Many also call this as distortion but it

is not so! This too can be eliminated

or at least reduced greatly, again

automatically. In fact both can be done

in one go.

This is how you proceed. As pointed

by arrow (Picture 5-2↓4), you have

the option Auto followed by Level,

Vertical and Full. What do these

options do? Here is a brief explanation:

Auto: Corrects level, maintains aspect

ratio, and corrects perspective.

Level: Perspective corrections biased

to correct horizontal details. Good for

landscapes.

Vertical: Perspective corrections

biased to correct vertical details. Good

for images with tall elements.

Full: Combines all of above

If this sounds confusing don’t worry!

Simply click on these one after another

and see which corrects the image

best and choose that (Picture 5-3 and

5-4). Normally Auto is good enough to

correct any misaligned horizon.

Finally, you can click on the little triangle

(Picture 5-1↓2) to collapse the tool.

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Smart Photography December 2015