Finishing the Story – Editing Travel Images with Purpose (Smartphone Editing) with Lisa Carney

This seminar is for CreativeLive subscribers only. Not subscribed? Start here!

The final class connects capture decisions to post-production, showing how thoughtful editing can clarify and amplify a travel story rather than overwhelm it. Designed for beginner to intermediate photographers and content creators working primarily with smartphones and entry-level cameras, the session focuses on practical, repeatable editing choices that strengthen narrative intent. 

Using a mix of mobile apps such as Lightroom Mobile and the native Photos app, Lisa will demonstrate simple but powerful edits for tone, color, and local adjustments while keeping a series visually consistent. Students will see live before-and-after walkthroughs, learn a complete editing workflow from import to export, and take part in interactive Q&A focused on their specific software and storytelling questions.

This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Lisa Carney.

Please note this is Part 3 of Lisa's "Travel Series," though it can be taken individually. Part 1 is "Seeing on the Road," and Part 2 is "Shooting with Intention."

What You'll Learn

• Decide what a travel image is “about” before editing so every adjustment supports the story rather than a trendy look.
• Use essential global edits such as exposure, contrast, color balance, and cropping to fix problems while preserving mood and intent.
• Apply local adjustments, including dodging, burning, selective color, and radial or linear tools, to guide the viewer’s eye through the frame.
• Create a consistent visual look across a set of travel images using presets, copy-and-paste settings, and sequence-based editing.
• Build a repeatable end-to-end workflow from import to export for social sharing, printing, or assembling a travel story portfolio.

Who It's For

• Beginner to intermediate photographers who want their travel edits to feel intentional and story-driven.
• Content creators editing primarily on smartphones who want stronger, more cohesive visual results.
• Photographers looking to move beyond presets and trends toward purposeful tone and color decisions.
• Anyone assembling travel albums, social posts, or portfolios who wants a consistent and polished final edit.

How to Join

• This class is available exclusively to CreativeLive subscribers. Not a subscriber? Join here.
• The class will be delivered via Zoom-style live sessions through CreativeLive, with lecture, image breakdowns, live software demos, and interactive Q&A.
• To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited.
• A unique Zoom join link will be sent to registered subscribers, up to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time.

About the Instructor

Lisa Carney is a high-end retoucher who has spent over two decades working with the most dynamic players in the print, motion picture, and television industries.

Besides being a regular presenter at the Adobe MAX conference, her teaching roster runs the gamut from beginners to professional retouchers, and includes universities, design studios, movie studios, corporations, and private students.

Lisa has worked with all major movie studios and many television networks, including Disney, Buena Vista, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Sony, Universal, Newline, Columbia, MGM, ABC Television, ESPN, TNT, CNN, CBS, CW, Warner Brothers, and Sony.

Advertising credits include Burger King, Baskin-Robbins, Lowe's, Jordana Cosmetics, Strategic Perceptions, Mattel, Chrysler, Mercedes, Mazda, and Best Buy.