With the advent of digital technology, photography has finally come out of its ivory tower and is now the prerogative of even the most inexperienced amateur. While this in no way means that you are exempt from paying attention to all the intricacies, which range from light conditions to color themes, it also does mean that you can afford to make a few mistakes while capturing the image, without having to worry about all the dire consequences if it doesn’t end up like it’s supposed to. And here’s where you need to pay attention to not just choosing the best version of editing software, but also to mastering the basics for it is only when you are a natural with these key functions that you will be able to move on to the more complicated procedures which you will eventually graduate to, in the course of your foray into the world of editing.
The first thing to bear in mind when editing your images is to ascertain that you have a copy of the original saved. That way, even if you do end up making your image appear completely unlike what you had envisioned it to be, you still have the original to start afresh. You can copy your image by first opening it with your photo-editor and then use the ‘Save As’ option to retain a copy. And it is on this fresh copy that you have created, that you begin to experiment with the various options that your editing software allows you. And if you unintentionally make a change that doesn’t quite match up to the final effect you’re looking to create, you can undo the last change, or couple of changes, depending on what version of software you are using.
Being a pro when it comes to maneuvering around the image is vital to how quick and easy your editing process is. A popular navigating tool is the ‘Hand Tool’ or the ‘Pan Tool’ which allows you to work your way up and down the image, without making any inadvertent changes to it. You can also choose the zoom options to be more accurate in your editing process which are represented by the ‘Magnifying Glass Tool’. This tool displays a plus sign as you draw in to make the necessary changes and the negative sign as you zoom out to assess the effect of your changes to the overall image. While most types of software let you left click on the image to zoom in or out, many versions also let you right click on the image to proceed in set increments.
Although your image may appear unclear and hazy when you zoom into it, it does not mean that the final image that you create will appear quite that way. This distortion appears only because the pixels of your image get separated and hence, more distinct, which also gives you more precision. You can even use the ‘Eyedropper’ tool which lets you select only pixels in a specific color, without having to worry about skipping a minute part of your image when you are in the process of editing it.
Your editing software will also be enabled with what are known as ‘Marquee’ tools, which let you trace basic shapes like rectangles and circles or even ellipses around your image. You can also use the freeform tool for drawing around unsymmetrical shapes which do not fit into the rectangular or circular frames. This freeform tool lets you trace around the image by holding your mouse button down or clicking around the image to create a series of dots which will automatically connect to each other, once you click on the first dot again. And once you’re through with your selection, a flowing dotted line will appear around the highlighted portion of your image.
Having mastered these basic functions, you can then progress to more advanced features like creating effects and using enhancement tools to perfect your image. The easiest way to draw focus to the pivotal part of your image is to crop it so that the key elements are highlighted. You can even use filters in various hues to tint your image or paint strokes over it, just as you would with a physical painting using the brush and airbrush alternatives. Your software will also provide you with a diverse color palette to choose from and paint over any minor flaws or blemishes.
Your skills at editing your digital photographs will be as developed as your willingness to experiment is. The more you dabble in the unconventional, the wider array of tools you use, which also increases your familiarity with the software. And once you are aware of the true potential of your editing software, you’ll soon discover the multitude of opportunities it offers, thus metamorphosing your images into spectacular works to art!
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