Photo editing can help improve the composition of a photo, as well as showcase the photographer’s style. Many different image editor programs are available, so this guide will not focus on the specifics of any one program. Instead, it will provide general tips that can apply to almost any image editing software. These tips, shared by professional photographers, can help with everything from cropping to mobile editing.
How to Get Started?
To produce a high-quality edited photograph, one must master the technical and artistic aspects of the editing process. This can be daunting for many, as popular editing programs such as Lightroom, Photoshop, and GIMP offer many tools and functions. However, by following these three image editing tips, even beginners can dive into the basics of photo editing.
1- Camera Adjustments
Before beginning any edits to your photograph, try using the auto button to see what corrections the program can make. This button activates the program’s ability to automatically correct minor yet crucial problems, such as a photograph being off-centre or straight lines appearing curved and distorted. According to Jamal Burger, a photographer and Skillshare teacher, checking the auto button first can save you time in the long run.
2- Be Aware of the Landscape
Remember that cropping matters when taking a photo. It can be difficult to remain aware of the entire frame while trying to capture a specific moment. Still, cropping can be just as important as the photo itself. Photographer Stephen Vanasco suggests trying different cropping techniques and experimenting until you find the best look. There’s no need to worry about making mistakes because you can always undo the changes you don’t like.
To create a good crop, you must carefully consider the straight lines in the photograph. Most editing software will superimpose a grid over the image you are cropping, and the lines from that grid should match the straight lines in your photograph. For example, if you are taking a picture of someone walking, their feet should align with a horizontal line in the grid. Meanwhile, a vertical line in the grid might match the length of a wall.
Composition and cropping are important elements of taking a good photo. As you compose the shot, remember to pay attention to the entire frame and not just the centre. Sometimes cropping can be just as important as the photo itself. Try cropping in different ways to see what looks best. You can always undo the changes you don’t like.
3 – Outdoor light vs Indoor light
The lighting conditions are critical when it comes to both taking and editing photographs. Nighttime shots taken indoors, for example, will require different tactics than daytime shots taken outdoors. And the editing process for photos taken under different lighting conditions will also vary. The following two tips address photo-enhancing techniques that are best used depending on the type of lighting.
4- Keep a Pattern
As a photographer, you’ll want your pics to have a consistent style. You can do this by using similar editing techniques on every photo. For example, suppose you’re a wedding photographer. In that case, you’ll want every reception photo to look like it was taken at the same event.
Most photographers edit each photo separately, but you can apply some edits to multiple photos. Each editing program has shortcuts, so take the time to learn the ones in your software.
5- Study colours
As children, we typically use a brown crayon to draw a tree trunk, followed by a green crayon when it is time to add leaves. The sun is usually drawn as yellow, and the sky is blue. However, in reality, a tree’s bark contains various shades of yellow, orange, pink, green, and purple. Also, a sidewalk that appears grey to us may be a washed-out blue, especially under the right lighting. Training your eye to see the hidden colours you encounter in your everyday life will allow you to incorporate them into your photographs.
If you’re using Instagram to showcase your photography, you should consider using more advanced editing software than what Instagram offers. This way, you can ensure that your photos look their best before posting them.
