Sometimes all a photo needs is a few basic adjustments to make it really pop. Start with the basics such as the white balance, recovering shadows, and adding presence and clarity. Also add vibrance to make colors really sing!

For that extra mile, remove unwanted distractions from your photo that interrupt the story you are telling.

Step 1: Photo Straight From the Camera

The shadows are dark and the photo is a little flat.

Step 2: Basic Adjustments

Open up the shadows, add a little contrast and clarity.

Step 3: Remove Distractions

Remove the distracting element in the lower left. The video gives a quick overview. My video guide on removing distractions has the deep dive into all my techniques.