No photo you can see on a magazine cover, in a flyer, or just in a post on Instagram is “raw.” Depending on the requirements and tasks, a photo goes through several or dozens of changes before publication. The goal of these manipulations is clear. Remove roughness and add contrast and depth to make the photo more cost-effective in modern reality. The main thing is to know what result you want. In this case, you can use a trick. Imagine that you are an online paper writer. Before writing the paper, a professional learns from the client as many details as possible to get the most data to work with and rely on. Such is the case with images. It is important to know where the photo will be published and for what purpose it is being published. Whether an image will be published solo or part of a large collage, the main tasks of image processing include colour correction, sharpening, noise removal, retouching, and colour correction. This knowledge will help you choose the right tools, make the necessary adjustments, and avoid unnecessary ones.
Basic Tools for Image Processing
Now, many tools and online programs make photo editing very easy. The choice is huge, and you can choose a tool for a beginner and a more in-depth tool for a professional.
- Adobe Photoshop: This is the base and almost the main bullet in the clip of any image editor. It includes all possible functions, from the basic ones, such as cropping and contrast adjustment, to working with layers and masks. With each new version, this program has a long history, and developers add new functions and features to automate processes. The latest versions of the program come with a built-in neural network Firefly, which allows you to expand the range of work with images significantly.
- GIMP: This program largely copies the functions of Photoshop and is the main alternative. The free program is great for beginners who want to try their hand at image editing. GIMP provides a wide range of features, including a cloning tool, layers, and masks.
- Lightroom is another program from Adobe that has a narrow focus. It was developed specifically for photographers and is focused on working with RAW images. Lightroom has a huge list of functions for colour correction, processing, and organizing photo collections.
- Canva: A simple and clear online tool for working with images. The program makes it easy to create images with built-in artificial intelligence. Canva also has many tools for working with presentations, allowing you to add graphics and text conveniently and easily.
Basic Methods of Image Processing
To edit a photo at a basic level, a beginner should learn three main methods.
- Cropping: Cropping is a way to focus the viewer’s attention on the subject. You can use cropping to crop out unwanted elements in a photo, remove the background, or adjust the focus of the image on the desired subject.
- Adjust exposure and balance: Working with exposure can help you set the brightness of your image. In contrast, white balance helps you achieve realistic colours. This is an indispensable skill for low-light photos.
- Sharpness and Noise Reduction: Sharpening helps bring out details in an image. In contrast, noise removal improves image quality by eliminating graininess and pixelation.
Not every photo needs all three techniques at once, but knowing how to work with them and which one to use in each case is essential to professional growth.
Retouching and Color Correction
These techniques can be considered a more advanced level of image manipulation. Improper use of the tools can ruin the impression and naturalness of the photo.
- Working with colour balance and contrast: These techniques make the colours in an image more saturated or softer. If you work properly with contrast, you can improve the visibility of details and give the image a more expressive look.
- Defects and skin retouching are the so-called clone, replace, and repair tools. They can correct skin blemishes and wrinkles or remove dust from the lens.
Working Properly With Layers and Masks
- Layers: The technique’s name speaks for itself. It involves layering one image on top of another to create a three-dimensional and holistic image. You can create complex collages or images that include tables and graphs thanks to skillful layering.
- Masks: Masks are used to work with selected parts of a composition. You can use masks to change the lighting of certain elements in the image or change the colour of the desired elements to make them fit better into the whole composition.
Learning how to work with layers and masks is critical to professional development. These techniques allow you to be more creative in your image editing and create original compositions.
Tips for Going From Beginner to Professional
Nothing happens simultaneously, so when working with images, you must be patient and not fear making mistakes. Here are some top tips for the beginner.
- Constant practice: The more you work with images and try new tools, the more you will understand how to build the right composition and set the right accents.
- Learning new techniques: The world of image editing is constantly changing. New ways and techniques are constantly emerging to make complex tasks simple and perfect previously inaccessible nuances.
- Learn from experience: Many online courses and video tutorials on editing are available. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice and improve your skills by following the example of experienced professionals.
- Take a critical approach: Not every image needs to be fully edited with all available tools. Look at other editors’ work, learn from their approach, and develop your own style.
To Summarize
Image editing is a profession closely related to photography and art. In order to achieve the greatest heights, it is worth learning at least the basic principles of drawing and photography. This will help you better understand how to compose an image, how to achieve the right lighting, what accents to give to various elements, and, most importantly, what the mood and character should be in each image.
