To straighten a photo in Lightroom, the most precise method, especially when dealing with horizons or other lines that should be level, involves using the Angle tool within the Crop & Straighten panel.
Here's the straightforward way to do it:
Using the Angle Tool for Precise Straightening
This technique is particularly effective when your photo contains a clear horizontal or vertical line that appears tilted, such as a horizon, a building edge, or a fence.
- Access the Crop & Straighten Tool: In the Develop module of Lightroom Classic (or the Edit panel in newer versions like Lightroom CC), select the Crop tool. You can also press the R key on your keyboard as a shortcut.
- Locate the Angle Tool: Within the Crop & Straighten panel that appears, find and select the Angle tool. It often looks like a ruler or a protractor.
- Draw Along the Tilted Line: Select the Angle tool in the Crop & Straighten panel and drag along part of the tilted horizon in the photo. This action tells Lightroom Classic exactly which line in your image should be level or perpendicular.
- Release the Mouse: When you release the mouse, the photo automatically rotates to make the horizon level (or perpendicular to the line you drew).
This method offers a quick and accurate way to correct tilted perspectives and horizons, giving your photos a more balanced and professional look.
