Month: May 2026

Processing: Adaptive Color vs Auto vs Me

The original image

Processed with Adaptive Color

Processed with Auto

My Processing

The image straight out of the camera, I exposed for the sky knowing I could bring the dark areas out in processingImage processed by me. Highlight down, shadows up, added Vibrance and Saturation, plus Texture sliders
Image straight out of the camera on the left. On the right is my processing. Shadow slider to the right, highlight slider of the left, 20-30 each on Saturation, Vibrance, and Texture in Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw.

Auto processing on the left. Adaptive Color on the right. Both buttons found in Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw.


Just in case you’re not familiar with Auto or Adaptive Color, here’s a screen capture. These are “presets” that process your images for you. Or, maybe give you a starting point.

Do you see a preference? The differences are subtle. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks for reading!