What to Consider When Editing Photos?

Photo editing is a critical stage in perfecting an image. Whether you are a professional photographer or someone trying to improve your hobby, the right editing techniques can greatly improve the quality and impact of your photos. Here are some important points to consider when editing photos and some examples.

1. Choosing the Right Software

There are many software you can use for photo editing. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are the most preferred by professional photographers. For beginners, there are simpler and user-friendly options such as Canva and Fotor. The choice of software should be based on your skill level and needs.

2. Composition and Cropping

Composition is the visual layout of a photograph. When cropping the photo, make sure that the main object or subject remains in focus. You can improve the balance and aesthetics of a photograph by using compositional techniques such as the rule of thirds. For example, in a landscape photo, placing the horizon line in the lower third of the photo can make the image more interesting.

3. White Balance

White balance affects the colour tones of the photo and makes it look natural. Incorrect white balance can make a photo appear too cool (blue) or too warm (yellow). Adjust the white balance settings carefully to set the colours of your photo as close to reality as possible.

4. Exposure and Contrast

Correct exposure determines how light or dark a photo is. If your photo is overexposed or underexposed, it can result in loss of detail. The Histogram tool is useful for adjusting exposure. Contrast emphasises the depth and detail of a photo. High contrast makes the photo look more vibrant, but be careful not to overdo it.

5. Colour Saturation and Vibrancy
The saturation and vibrance settings are used to enhance the colours of the image. Saturation enhances all colours equally, while vibrance only affects less saturated colours. When playing with these settings, take care to maintain a natural look. For example, in nature photos, vibrancy of colours can enhance the appeal of the photo, but in portraits of people, oversaturation can create an unnatural look.

6. Sharpness and Noise Reduction

Sharpness improves the clarity of the photo, but excessive sharpness can create an artificial look to the image. Noise reduction reduces grain (noise), especially in photographs taken in low light conditions. Using both sharpness and noise reduction settings in balance improves the quality of the photo.

Example: Portrait Photo Editing

When editing a portrait photo, first adjust the white balance to keep skin tones natural and balanced. Next, add slight sharpness to emphasise the eyes and facial features. When necessary, use retouching tools to remove skin imperfections, but take care to preserve the natural appearance of the person. Finally, you can make the portrait stand out by blurring the background (bokeh effect).