Alyn Wallace – Astro Workflow Lightroom Presets

HOW DO THEY WORK?

• First start by adjusting the global tonality of the image. These presets adjust the overall contrast in the image as well as things like clarity and shadow detail.

• Now it’s time to get rid of the noise and sharpen. Noise is one of the biggest challenges in astrophotography and removing it goes a long way in creating an aesthetically pleasing image. Also built into these presets are my settings for RAW sharpening, fine-tuned specifically for clean astro images.

• Next up is a colour grade of the entire image. The colours of the image will help create the mood you are going for and separating these adjustments from the tonality presets gives you freedom to create a winning combo.

• Finally, add the finishing touches and sculpt the image artistically using my local adjustment presets. Darken the sky, make the Milky Way pop, and add a glow to the brightest stars with just some of the tools provided.

Included with the presets are tutorial videos which go into much better detail to help you get the most out of these presets. It’s not just about pressing the button but how you apply the adjustments too.

LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS

Once you have set the global tonality and colour grade of the image it’s time to use my local adjustment tools to sculpt the final image. Check out the examples below:

1. DARKEN SKY

This graduated filter helps darken the sky but doesn’t reduce the Milky Way, allowing it to pop and stand out against the darkened backdrop of space.

2. MILKY WAY POP

This subtle adjustment helps the Milky Way pop but aims to maintain a natural look. This adjustment needs to be applied using the technique outlined in the instructional videos to help it blend seamlessly. If you’re after garish and overcooked Milky Ways then these aren’t the presets for you!

3. STARGLOW

Add a glow to the brightest stars in the image and help them stand out. Works great for highlighting constellations or images that feature a little cloud or mist.

4. LIGHT POLLUTION REDUCE

Cuts down on strong glare from light pollution, one less distracting element in your image.

5. VIGNETTE

Draw the viewer in and frame your subjects using my custom vignette.