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DxO PhotoLab
ClearView Plus

Learn how ClearView Plus works in DxO PhotoLab and save 15% on DxO software through my exclusive creator discount. Discover haze reduction, atmospheric contrast, image clarity and landscape enhancement in Lesson 12 of DxO PhotoLab Zero to Hero.

Welcome to Lesson 12 of DxO PhotoLab Zero to Hero. In this lesson we are looking at ClearView Plus, one of DxO PhotoLab’s most recognisable tools for adding clarity, reducing haze and improving atmospheric detail in a photograph.

ClearView Plus is particularly useful for landscape photography, travel photography, cityscapes, coastal scenes, mountain views and photographs affected by haze, mist, humidity or distance. It can help reveal detail and create more separation in the image without needing lots of complicated manual adjustments.

Used carefully, ClearView Plus can make a photograph feel more defined and three-dimensional. Used too strongly, it can quickly become heavy, crunchy or overprocessed. This lesson is about understanding where the tool works well and how to use it with control.

What Is ClearView Plus?

ClearView Plus is a DxO PhotoLab tool designed to reduce haze and increase local contrast. It can make distant details appear clearer, improve separation between tones and give photographs a stronger sense of depth.

Unlike a basic contrast adjustment, ClearView Plus is more targeted. It does not simply make the entire image more contrasty. Instead, it works on subtle tonal differences to create more definition in areas affected by atmospheric softness.

When To Use ClearView Plus

ClearView Plus is most useful when a photograph feels slightly washed out, hazy or lacking in definition. This is common in landscapes, travel images, aerial views, coastal photography, mountain scenes and cityscapes photographed from a distance.

It can also be useful when an image needs a little more bite or clarity, but you should use it carefully. A small adjustment can make the image feel more alive. A heavy adjustment can make skies look unnatural, shadows too gritty and edges too harsh.

ClearView Plus And Contrast

ClearView Plus is closely related to contrast, but it is not the same as the standard Contrast slider. Standard contrast affects the broader relationship between light and dark areas. ClearView Plus works more on local contrast and atmospheric separation.

This is why ClearView Plus can be so effective for haze reduction. It looks for areas where tonal separation is weak and adds definition. The result can be a photograph that feels clearer and more detailed, especially in distant scenery.

When To Be Careful

Like many powerful editing tools, ClearView Plus can be overused. If you push it too far, the image can become too contrasty, noisy or artificial. Skies can become patchy, shadows can look dirty and the overall edit can feel too processed.

For beginners, the safest approach is to apply a small amount and then ask whether the image genuinely looks better. If the effect draws too much attention to itself, reduce it.

ClearView Plus In A Workflow

In a simple DxO PhotoLab workflow, ClearView Plus usually comes after basic tonal corrections. Start with exposure, white balance and Smart Lighting. Then use contrast and ClearView Plus to add structure and depth. Finally, refine colour, local adjustments and sharpening later in the process.

This order helps you avoid using ClearView Plus to fix problems that should be solved elsewhere. It is best used to enhance an already balanced photograph rather than rescue a poorly adjusted one.

Continue The Course

Now that you understand ClearView Plus, continue to Lesson 13, where we look at cropping and how to improve composition, framing and aspect ratio inside DxO PhotoLab.

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