Basic photo editing is the process of fixing and enhancing the quality of an image using a variety of simple techniques. The goal is to adjust lighting, color, contrast, and composition to make the photo look more appealing and professional without changing its original essence.
This editing is important because it can correct technical deficiencies such as inappropriate lighting, unbalanced colors, or inappropriate composition, so that the photo results are more optimal.
Tools Needed for Editing Photos
To do basic photo editing, you will need several commonly used smartphone tools, including:
1. Adobe Photoshop Express
A mobile version of Photoshop that provides basic editing features such as cropping, brightness, contrast, rotation, and blemish removal. Suitable for beginners and users who want quick and easy results.
2. Adobe Lightroom Mobile
Focus on color adjustment, exposure, and lighting correction with a simple interface. Ideal for users who want to edit photos quickly but still neat and professional.
3. Snapseed
A free application from Google that provides complete editing features ranging from cropping, adjusting brightness, contrast, saturation, to filters and retouching. Very popular for photo editing on smartphones.
4. VSCO
An application with various aesthetic filters and basic editing tools that are easy to use. Suitable for users who want to quickly beautify photos with a certain style.
5. Pixlr
Web-based photo editor and mobile app that provides layers, filters, effects, and design templates. Makes it easy to edit photos anywhere without the need for heavy software installation.
Editing Tips for More Interesting Photo Results
1. Know the Purpose of Editing
Before you start editing, first determine the purpose of editing the photo. Will the photo be used for social media, print, or personal portfolio. This purpose is very important because it will affect several aspects of editing, such as:
- Color Settings: Photos for social media usually require more vibrant and eye-catching colors, while for print, accurate and natural colors are needed so that the print results are as expected.
- Size and Resolution: Photos for print require high resolution to avoid blurring, while for social media the size can be adjusted to upload quickly and display optimally on the screen.
- File Format: JPEG is commonly used for social media due to its small size, while TIFF or PNG are better suited for print or portfolios due to their higher quality.
2. Learn the Histogram
A histogram is a graph that shows the distribution of light and color in a photo, from dark areas (shadows) to bright areas (highlights). By understanding histograms, you can:
- Avoid photos that are too dark (underexposed) or too bright (overexposed).
- Adjust exposure and contrast appropriately so that details in dark and light areas remain visible.
- Ensure lighting balance so that photos look natural and details are maintained.
3. Don't Overdo It
One common mistake in editing is overdoing it, such as adding too strong a filter, too much color saturation, or extreme sharpening. This can make the photo look unnatural and lose its original character. Tips to keep editing natural:
- Focus on improving the quality of the photo, not drastically changing it.
- Use filters and effects with moderate intensity, adjust them to keep them harmonious.
- Maintain color balance, avoid colors that are too saturated or too high contrast.
- Pay attention to small details such as blemishes or distracting objects, erase them carefully to keep the results realistic.
4. Practice and Experiment
Editing skills will improve with frequent practice and trying various tools and techniques:
- Explore various editing applications and features such as cropping, exposure, contrast, color grading, retouching, and filters.
- Try different editing styles to find the one that best suits your tastes and needs.
- Don't be afraid to try new effects or filters, but keep evaluating the results so you don't overdo it.
- Learn editing techniques from tutorials, articles, or videos to continue improving your skills.
By following this guide, Morians can start editing photos effectively and produce more attractive and professional images.
Basic photo editing is an essential skill that can improve the quality of your photography work and add value to every shot. Don't forget to keep learning and practicing so that your editing skills continue to develop.
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