Summary
It is well understood that possessing a high-quality camera does not inherently make one a proficient photographer, just as having an excellent pan won’t automatically make someone an exceptional chef. A photographer must contribute their skills and personal touch to create an outstanding image (or an impressive dish). While having the right equipment is essential, numerous additional factors influence the ability to capture excellent photographs, regardless of the camera type employed. I have addressed these aspects previously, and therefore will not reiterate them. However, many people often overlook the crucial phase that follows capturing a great photo—the editing process.
Why Edit? No matter how advanced your camera is, it never entirely reflects the vivid colors and vibrancy of the real-life moment you are attempting to photograph. Yes, the unedited image contains the ‘essence’ and is approximately 80% complete; nevertheless, editing elevates it to a fully realized piece, allowing you to convey the moment and evoke the emotion you experienced when photographing the subject. This process enables viewers to truly see and appreciate why you found the subject worthy of capture, making editing a vital step in achieving excellent photography.
Many associate photo editing with a steep learning curve, which is why filters often appear as the more convenient option. However, filters are inherently limited in their capability and do not universally suit all photo types, often failing to deliver the desired effects. In some instances, filters can detract from the quality of the image, resulting in what may only be described as a ‘hot mess.’ While I occasionally utilize filters on Instagram, I simply posit that for those wishing to enhance their photographs, it is preferable to pursue a more refined approach over settling for a quick solution. 🙂
What Tools Do You Need? Depending on your budget, here are three tools worth considering:
a.) THE FREE OPTION: I recommend the no-cost alternative of downloading Picasa (most of you may have heard of it, but if not, it is Google’s complimentary image editing tool available at http://picasa.google.co.uk).
b.) THE KINDA PRICY ONE: Adobe Lightroom. It is likely my preferred tool; however, its cost may deter some individuals.
c.) THE EXPENSIVE PROFESSIONAL ONE: Adobe Photoshop—a tool so robust and advanced, it has become synonymous with the editing process itself. The term ‘photoshopping’ is now widely used to describe photo editing due to its immense capabilities. Despite its magnificence, learning to operate Photoshop can prove challenging, and it is generally excessive for the needs of most amateur photographers. Personally, I find it to be a hassle and unnecessary for my editing requirements.
In this guide, I will focus on using Picasa, so if you have it installed, excellent; if not, please download it, and let’s get started. Look out for the indicators below highlighting the sections you’ll need to utilize.
EDITING COLOR PHOTOS IN TWO STEPS:
Step 1: Fill Light. This feature automatically brightens and enhances the image, yielding consistent results.
Step 2: Increase Saturation. This adjustment accentuates the natural vibrancy within your image.
Below you will find a comparison demonstrating a simple edit executed using just the two aforementioned steps.
EDITING BLACK & WHITE PHOTOS IN TWO STEPS:
This section assumes you already possess a black and white image. If you need to convert a color photo into grayscale, you simply need to switch to B&W (black and white mode) in Picasa.
Step 1: Increase Highlights.
Step 2: Increase Shadows.
Enhancing the highlights and shadows fosters a dramatic contrast, ideally suited for black and white images, rendering them vividly engaging. The subsequent image showcases a before-and-after comparison of a simplistic black and white edit executed using the three steps described above.
The outlined steps represent straightforward methods to edit your images, enabling them to shine as the treasures they are. It is essential to recognize that regardless of the tool you utilize, the two steps (inclusive of both color and black and white) can be consistently applied to enhance your photographs—it is the most reliable, rapid, and effortless approach to ensure your images truly stand out!
