I was browsing my image catalog today and came across this image from the Don Valley Brickworks, shot back in 2006, (well before I had started shooting RAW for everything). I've always liked the image, but it was shot on an overcast day and was a bit on the flat side. So I thought I would use Lightroom to beef things up. I managed to boost the color and contrast with little difficulty (history steps are below) but then I got to thinking; I wondered if I could process this image so it looked like a black and white image shot at dusk or night time, right within Lightroom.
That's what this tutorial is about.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/5b6b8473ff505c501a24e662_rw_1920.jpg?h=b1e9b9fcb068ecc8fd0d22f06e3942cb)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/49cd676fae0106d2d0ae9ea7_rw_600.jpg?h=2aed35200976a710837137d423a3cd24)
The first thing I did was to create a virtual copy for my b/w conversion. Then to jumpstart the process, I used a Black and White conversion preset. Presets are great for getting started, but I find that even after applying a preset, I tend to tweak things further.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/e79143f48fcd3f84014be428_rw_1920.jpg?h=60910b1907a0dd90b8ede6c73c4f6245)
My next step was to add a couple radial filters. The first one encompassed the entire lampshade. I increased the feather to 100% and then maxed out the exposure setting. For a bit more oomph, I also increased the shadow values too. I wanted the shade to look lit up.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/802f9b5fb553389af467508e_rw_1200.jpg?h=fd8f4e442a7aa795aa6aac249ea6028a)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/37efac245a60ad93c24a0439_rw_600.jpg?h=6157f8d882c873ca46ebb88c36f8d9ff)
The second radial filter was simply to blow out the lightbulb a bit more. I wanted to retain some detail, but make the bulb look like it was really switched on.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/c84f6dd57b12226ac85a4951_rw_600.jpg?h=7ec856257aef4589fa6018bb3ca6046a)
Those two radial filters did help, but there was still more work to do. The overall image was too bright.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/d0e10a8cd487ded57b4154b0_rw_1920.jpg?h=eeaf832ed46a0a96fbb175c54daa0e32)
Sooo, I created another virtual copy and reduced the overall exposure by nearly two stops. NOW, it was looking like dusk.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/ff2c8402bd55c5efcc966c95_rw_1920.jpg?h=d032bd7c2c35a3002eb302840292f0ac)
But of course, it was TOO dark. At least overall too dark. By adding a third radial filter though, and adjusting the exposure, postion, angle and feathering, I was able to make part of the wall and window appear to be lit by the light. Note how I stretched the filter beyond the bottom edge of the photo.
Lightroom CC/6 came in very handy for this because this latest version of the software allows me to use a brush to edit existing filters, both radial and linear. I used this new feature to paint out any effect the new radial filter was havng on the "light source".
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/2f53fe1e4933233e7d4761ec_rw_1200.jpg?h=10a52098cb30e6a7a5001ec36e909cba)
The final steps for added realism and mood were to use the Adjustment brush to paint a bit of brightness into the bottom left part of the window frame. This adds a bit more depth and realism. Lightroom CC was very helpful here as well, because I can now easily reposition brush effects by dragging the anchor pin, just as I can for Linear and Radial filters.
I also duplicated the lampshade radial filter in order to further brighten the light. I did adjust the values for that duplicate so that the shade was brighter, but not over exposed.
Adding some grain and a squarish vignette polished things off and gave me a more gritty, film-noir feel.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ba77f30ad59ff107bad7134eae69331/6241ac6dc44c30f8aaeb3482_rw_1920.jpg?h=4b2b234ccb4951187453bd3c842c017b)
Virtual copies were the keys to success in this project; I was freed up from losing a look or effect that I liked, and this in turn encouraged me to experiment further and have some fun with this image. All within Lightroom CC.