If You are Photographing in Raw Mode You Must Edit Your Images

AFTER

© Ankit Gajjar - All Rights Reserved

BEFORE

 © Ankit Gajjar - All Rights Reserved

The image above was shot in the evening on a cloudy day in RAW format. The subject was interesting but did not have any punch to it. So here is what was done to get from the before to after shot.

In Adobe Lightroom: Use the histogram to make sure you do not have blown highlights or black shadows but moving the shadow/highlight sliders. In this case since the tree bark is in contrast with the back ground limit the amount of contrast you add. Increase clarity to bring out small details such as those in the tree bark and leaves. Finally correct the white balance to Cloudy since it was a cloudy day when I took this picture. I believe white balance can be whatever your preference is, some people like the bluish tint, personally I prefer the yellowish tint

Camera settings: ISO 100, f/8, 1/80s