ON1 Photo RAW: Essential Tools – FWP

Editing Workflow and Tools

This video provides a comprehensive tutorial on how to efficiently edit images using On1 Photo RAW, focusing on simplicity and effectiveness without over-manipulating the photo. The instructor guides viewers through a step-by-step workflow, starting from basic exposure and tone adjustments, moving through color correction, lens corrections, cropping, local adjustments, and finishing with advanced effects like curves and dynamic contrast. The video emphasizes practical tools that deliver professional-quality results quickly, catering both to beginners and experienced users.

1. Introduction and Basic Exposure Adjustments

The video opens by addressing the common desire among photographers to edit images without excessive manipulation or adding artificial elements. The presenter immediately dives into On1 Photo RAW, using a raw photo of an alligator as an example.

Brilliance AI Activation: Recommended for newer versions of On1, this AI-based tool helps automate tone and color adjustments. For older versions, similar results can be achieved via the Tone and Color panel using AI Auto or manual sliders.
Histogram Analysis: The histogram is used to identify missing information on the highlights side. The white slider is adjusted to push tonal information closer to the right edge, ensuring proper dynamic range without clipping.
Shadow and Midtone Adjustments: Shadows are pulled back to increase contrast (resulting in deeper blacks), while midtones are pushed up to balance the overall exposure.
Contrast Slider: This controversial step is subjective and depends heavily on user preference. Increasing contrast darkens shadows and enriches colors but requires visual judgment rather than relying solely on the histogram.
Exposure Slider: Exposure is adjusted last in the workflow, typically boosted slightly to compensate for contrast changes. In the example, a modest +0.3 adjustment is made.
Structure Addition: Since raw images are flat and lack sharpness, a small amount of “Structure” is applied to enhance detail and clarity without overdoing it.
The presenter notes that basic camera profiles could be adjusted but were skipped for simplicity in this tutorial.

Outcome: The initial tone and exposure are set, laying the groundwork for further refinement.

2. Color Adjustments

Once the tonal foundation is established, the video moves into color correction, focusing on subtle, corrective changes rather than final stylized looks.

Vibrancy and Saturation: Vibrancy is increased to revive dull colors without oversaturation, while a slight bump in saturation adds life to the image.
Before and After Comparison: Using the backslash key, the video demonstrates the improvements made by tonal and color adjustments, showing that the image now better reflects the scene as remembered.
The presenter emphasizes that one might stop here if comfortable with these corrections, especially useful for batch processing large numbers of images.

3. Lens Corrections

Lens distortions and perspective issues are addressed next.

The presenter activates lens corrections, which slightly correct perspective and distortion but notes it is subjective and may not be necessary for all images.
The software identifies the lens used (Canon RF 100-400mm), and the appropriate profile is applied automatically.
The correction primarily fixes minor pincushion distortion.
The presenter offers to create a dedicated tutorial on lens corrections for viewers interested in deeper knowledge.

4. Cropping

Cropping is presented as an optional but useful step in the workflow.

Using the crop tool (shortcut C), the presenter slightly crops the image to better frame the alligator, making it more prominent without overdoing it.
The subjective nature of cropping is emphasized; it depends on the photographer’s intent.

5. Local Adjustments

Local (selective) adjustments are introduced to fine-tune specific areas.

Masking Tool (Shortcut M): Local adjustments are compared to Lightroom’s masking feature, allowing targeted edits.
Radial Filter (Vignette Tool): A radial mask is placed around the alligator to subtly darken the surrounding area, bringing light focus to the subject.
The vignette is softened to avoid harsh transitions.
Brush Tool for Targeted Lightening: A brush with a “lighten” style is used to brighten the alligator’s eyes, enhancing viewer focus on this critical detail.
Opacity and exposure sliders allow precise control over the strength of these local edits.
Additional structure and contrast boosts are applied locally to the eyes for sharper detail.

Before and after comparisons show the cumulative effect of these local adjustments, emphasizing their importance in professional editing.

6. Effects Module: Color Enhancer, Curves, and Dynamic Contrast

The video then explores advanced effects to elevate the image further, focusing on conservative enhancements favored by many photographers.

Color Enhancer: Allows modification of color channels (HSL) independently.
- The presenter darkens and desaturates yellows and oranges in the image.
- A powerful AI masking brush (shortcut W) is used to exclude the alligator from these color adjustments, maintaining natural colors on the subject while modifying the background.
- This selective approach avoids unwanted color shifts on the subject.
Curves Filter: A classic tool for tonal contrast enhancement.
- The presenter demonstrates creating an S-curve using the picker tool to identify bright and dark points in the image.
- The shadows are deepened while highlights are boosted to increase contrast.
- A blend mode called “Luminosity” is applied, which enhances contrast without affecting color saturation, preserving natural hues.
Dynamic Contrast: This staple filter sharpens and enhances detail through contrast.
- The presenter shows toggling the effect on and off to illustrate the added definition.
- The same AI mask from the color enhancer filter is copied and applied here to restrict the effect to the alligator.
- The mask is inverted so the effect targets the alligator only.
- Opacity is dialed down (~40%) to keep the enhancement subtle and natural-looking.

7. Tone Enhancer Filter

The final recommended filter is the Tone Enhancer, which provides a simplified, all-in-one approach to clarity and detail.

The detail slider adds grit and texture to the image.
Clarity operates similarly but affects larger tonal ranges.
The Tone Enhancer includes a built-in curves tool for tone manipulation.
While dynamic contrast offers more granular control, the Tone Enhancer is easier to use for quick edits.
The presenter notes that this filter is optional for this particular image but valuable in other scenarios.
Using both dynamic contrast and tone enhancer together can yield excellent results by balancing control and ease of use.

8. Additional Resources and Final Remarks

The instructor encourages viewers to explore all available filters and tools within On1 Photo RAW to discover what works best for their style.
Viewers are invited to ask questions or request tutorials in the comments.
For those interested in learning On1 Photo RAW comprehensively, a paid course is available on the presenter’s website, featuring lifetime access and updates for new software versions (including the upcoming 2026 edition).
A promotional coupon code is offered for viewers purchasing On1 Photo RAW 2026 before October 31, with affiliate disclosure.
One-on-one coaching sessions are also available.
The video concludes with encouragement to stay inspired and keep creating.

Key Insights

Effective editing begins with solid tone and exposure adjustments before moving to color and effects.
Use histogram as a guide but rely on visual judgment to achieve the desired look.
Local adjustments and masking allow for nuanced, subject-specific enhancements without affecting the entire image.
The combination of AI tools and manual masking in On1 Photo RAW provides powerful, precise control.
Conservative use of dynamic contrast and tone enhancer filters can greatly improve image quality without over processing.
The software workflow can be adapted to individual preferences and different project requirements.
Continuous learning and experimentation with On1’s filters and tools are encouraged for mastery.

Keywords

On1 Photo RAW, photo editing, raw image editing, exposure adjustment, contrast, vibrancy, saturation, lens correction, cropping, local adjustments, masking, radial filter, brush tool, color enhancer, curves filter, dynamic contrast, tone enhancer, AI masking brush, blend modes, luminosity blend mode, workflow, photography tutorial, image enhancement, selective editing.

FAQ

Q: What is the best starting point in On1 Photo RAW for editing?
A: Begin with basic exposure and tone adjustments using the histogram, shadow, midtone, and contrast sliders. Then proceed to color corrections.

Q: How do local adjustments work in On1?
A: Local adjustments use masks (similar to Lightroom’s masking) to selectively apply edits to specific areas, such as brightening eyes or adding a vignette.

Q: Can I apply effects to only part of the image?
A: Yes, by creating masks and copying them between filters, or using AI masking brushes to exclude or include areas.

Q: What is the purpose of the curves filter?
A: Curves allow precise control over tonal contrast by adjusting highlights and shadows, improving the image’s depth and punch.

Q: How does dynamic contrast differ from tone enhancer?
A: Dynamic contrast offers detailed, granular control over contrast, while tone enhancer is an easier, all-in-one tool for clarity and tonal adjustments.

Q: Is On1 Photo RAW suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, especially with the presenter’s video tutorials that guide users step-by-step through the editing process.

This detailed summary captures the core instructional content and best practices shared in the video, providing a strong foundational understanding for users looking to improve their photo editing skills in On1 Photo RAW.