Post Process Image Editing — A Little Goes a Long Way
The studio of chemicals and solutions of yesteryear are all but gone as the digital age of photography continues to advance and become more sophisticated. For most photographers, the ability to manipulate their photographs to create unique, stunning, and striking images becomes an addiction as well as a love hate relationship. Now, not only must we continue to attempt to master the art of photography, but we must also learn the software we use to get the most out of it each and every time without spending more time on the computer than we do behind the lens.
As most people begin to learn their post processing software, they find all the bells and whistles attractive. Then the process of over processing begins and typically ends up causing more harm than good. Here are a few tips that might help you keep your images from becoming too much too often.
Fix It in the Camera First
It is indeed a rare occasion that everything goes right on a shoot. There are always problems that occur unexpectedly when trying to achieve just the right look and feel for a shot. Often, under or over exposure occurs, poor saturation, poor cropping, not quite right composition, and the list goes on. The temptation for many people is to “Fix it in post”, meaning to fix it in the image editor during post processing. While the software today is great and can repair a multitude of errors, it can cause many people to become lazy in their photographic techniques. This temptation is strong for most people, because they can fix nearly any image with the technological advances of today. However, the best thing you can do is to get it right in the camera instead of “fixing it” on the computer later on. Chances are, you will still ‘tweak’ your images anyway, but add to that more processing and you start degrading the overall quality of the image and your photographic skill.
Filters, Dissolves, and Effects
Let’s start out by saying that just because you image editing software has 1,001 effects does not mean that you must use them all with every photo. There are times for excess and there are times that you may use a plethora of filters, dissolves, and effects, but that does not mean every picture needs them. The best thing you can do is to use your image editor the least amount necessary to make the shot you took look its best. In some cases, this means less is more. Not every photo needs to have a vignette framing or blurred edges to make it better. If it does, it could be a good indication that your skill behind the camera is in need of honing.
Over the Top Text
Some photos can and should have text placed over them. However, this is more likely the exception, not the rule. If you use text on your photos, then do it with taste; use only as much as necessary to enhance the image, not to overwhelm it. The center of your image should be the image, not the text you place on top of your image. Here again, a little goes a long way.
While creative differences, tastes, style, and imagination will vary, the concept of less is more still holds true. Some shots will call for over the top post processing; however, the average image should need minimal tinkering in post to make it better. If you think of image editing or post processing as if it were makeup, you might get a better idea. There are times and certain circumstances where big, bold, and gaudy makeup fits the occasion…take Lady Gaga for example. Yet most of the time, makeup is there to enhance what is underneath, not to call attention to the makeup itself. The goal of most makeup artists is to cause the makeup to look invisible and enhance the subject. Image editing is the same way.
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