Photography is a field where it can seem like there’s almost always something new to learn. First, there’s all the different functions and features of the camera, then it’s actually setting up and taking the shots, and then you have the final stage of photo editing. Each part is almost as important as the next, but where you can really make your photos shine is with your photo editing skills.
If you’re a budding photographer and you’d like to hone these all-important skills, then this is the guide for you. Read on for three top tips on photo editing skills you should master today.
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Pick a Platform and Stick to It
A big part of your journey to learn photo editing skills will be tied to what image editing tools you choose to use. There are lots of different options out there, and some might be more useful to you—or easier to learn—than others. The best advice is to research what’s on offer, choose one platform, and then become laser-focused on learning everything you can about it.
Of course, members of the Adobe suite would be some of the most popular photo editing tools. This fact in itself offers a lot of advantages, as it means that there will be more information out there on how to master certain features. Youtube in particular is a treasure trove of tutorials that are great at breaking down steps in simple terms.
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Correcting an Image’s Exposure
When you’ve taken a set of photos and imported them into your image editing software, there are hundreds of different things you might choose to do first. However, it’s a good idea to think about learning how to correct the exposure of your images. Exposure refers to the brightness of an image, and images with poor exposure can be hard to make out and lack impact.
Luckily, exposure is one of the more simple things you can edit about an image. Most if not all photo editing programs should have a simple slider titled “exposure” that you can move back and forth in order to achieve the desired effect. You’ll usually want to make it bright, but not so bright that the details get lost or it looks unnatural.
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Making an Image Transparent
One of the great tricks of photo editing is taking photos and then distorting the reality they were captured in to create something completely new. For example, take an image, make image transparent, and then add in a new background. This is great if you’ve got an image that has a beautiful subject but a not-so-great background.
It can also be helpful if you want to design posters, flyers, or pamphlets. This would be a little more on the complicated and technical side, but once you’ve learned how to do it, you’ll find it to be a breeze.
Editing Skills You Need to Know
To become a great photographer and take great pictures, sharpening your editing skills is a big part of the process. These are just three examples of the areas you can work within. If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out some of our other photography-related articles now.