In this tutorial I’ll show you my post processing workflow for this dandelion in a bubble image. I used Adobe Lightroom and Perfect Effects 8 for the post processing of this image. In my opinion Perfect Effects is a great tool to use in combination with Lightroom.

The image was taken with my Canon 60D using the 18-135 f3.5-5.6 IS lens at 120mm. Camera settings in manual mode were, 1/250 sec at f8.0, ISO 400. It was a cloudy overcast morning which created a nice diffuse light.

Step 1

Bring the image into Adobe Lightroom.

Step 2

Make some global adjustments in Lightroom. Here I adjusted the exposure, highlights, shadows, whites and blacks. I did not modify the contrast because I knew I wanted to use the dynamic contrast filter in Perfect Effects. With these adjustments complete, I brought the image over into Perfect Effects by going to File – Plug-in Extras – Perfect Effects 8.

Step 3

Once the image is in Perfect Effects I started adding Filter Layers. First, I added a Dynamic Contrast - Natural layer. Under the Filter Options and Detail, I adjusted the settings as follows: Small = 30, Medium = 20, Large = 0.

Step 4

Add a new layer to the Filter Stack. Choose Color Enhancer – Green Enhancer. Using the mask tool, place a mask on top of the yellow dandelion so the effect is not applied to the flower. The green is now a little to much, so reduce the layer opacity to 50%.

Step 5

Add a new layer to the Filter Stack. Choose Sunshine – Glow. Reduce the layer opacity to 20%. Copy the layer mask from the previous ‘Color Enhancer’ layer by using Ctrl + click to drag the mask to the current layer.

Step 6

Add a new layer to the Filter Stack. Choose Sharpening – Amazing Detail Finder. Using the masking bush, mask out the background and foreground of the image. To see where you are masking, press Ctrl + M. Since these areas are out of focus to begin with, they do not need to be sharpened.