Is there a series of steps to touch up a photo ? Does it matter if I do levels before or after cropping ? when is it best to do curves , colors or what ever ? in other words , What are the steps involved with a photo touch up ? I belong to a camera club and depending on who you talk to everyone has a method . Is there a method to start / finish and save so that one change doe's not inter fear with the others . Thank you
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photo touch ups
- Thread starter DELINDA
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I guess I never thought of it but I would adjust and crop last. However, I tend not to adjust a whole lot, you seem to be inferring that most do. I am unsure if this is common. Coming from film I am accustomed to actually making sure the shot is as good as I can get it in-camera to avoid costly mistakes.
However, if everyone has their own method why not see what works for you and develop your own? Not everything in photography and post processing needs to be cookie cutter.
However, if everyone has their own method why not see what works for you and develop your own? Not everything in photography and post processing needs to be cookie cutter.
This response is based on the assumption you are using Photoshop CS2 or CS3 for your image adjustments...
if you are shooting digital images, I'd recommend shooting in RAW format (if you aren't already). When you first open RAW images in Photoshop, you are presented with a very comprehensive adjustment window that allows you to make non-destructive modifications to the image (color temperature, contrast, black level, vibrance, brightness, etc.).
further, in Photoshop, you can apply Adjustment Layers that can be deleted without hurting the underlying image. Adjustment Layers affect the appearance of every layer underneath, but do so in a non-destructive manner.
Whenever possible, make image touchups on separate layers so they can be turned off/deleted if you change your mind.
If you use these methods, you probably won't have many image quality problems, and the order in which you make your changes may become irrelevant.
if you are shooting digital images, I'd recommend shooting in RAW format (if you aren't already). When you first open RAW images in Photoshop, you are presented with a very comprehensive adjustment window that allows you to make non-destructive modifications to the image (color temperature, contrast, black level, vibrance, brightness, etc.).
further, in Photoshop, you can apply Adjustment Layers that can be deleted without hurting the underlying image. Adjustment Layers affect the appearance of every layer underneath, but do so in a non-destructive manner.
Whenever possible, make image touchups on separate layers so they can be turned off/deleted if you change your mind.
If you use these methods, you probably won't have many image quality problems, and the order in which you make your changes may become irrelevant.