There comes a time when everyone needs a helping hand. Luckily for photographers that much needed help can be summoned by the click of a mouse. Image editing software can be the photographers best friend, as long as you are willing to put the effort in and spend some time together (just like real friends actually).
You will notice that I am referring to it as “image editing software” instead of Photoshop and it’s not because of copyright issues. The fact is there are so many different programs out there to use and I don’t want you to think Photoshop is the be all and end all however I will run you through a few short editing tips and I will be using Photoshop CS4. If you don’t have Photoshop CS4 there is no need to panic as many of the techniques I will show you will be possible in other programs. Make sure you use the help feature of whatever program you are using and search the words that I have put in italics. Here are four things that might help you in your new friendship.
Correct Me If I’m Wrong
The most useful tools in Photoshop are the ones that help make you look like a pro who gets it right in camera every time (of course this isn’t always the case). Here is a photo that was submitted by Madeleine from Overnewton Anglican Community College. It’s an impressive photo that definitely represents the theme of unity but the photo is a little washed due to the direct sunlight and being surrounded by reflective water and sand on a sunny day.
All you have to do is adjust the levels. The ‘levels’ of a photo tell you which pixels are of what shade of grey and effectively changes the exposure of the photo (how bright or dark it is). Once you find how to adjust levels its pretty simple. For Madeleine’s photo all I needed to do was adjust the greys to correct the photo. Then to boost the colours I bumped the saturation of the colours up a little. Then all that was needed was a bit of a crop and it was all done. These are really basic tools and most software should have them, so once you find them you can easily adjust your photos.
Lose the Colour
Converting your images to black and white is a great way to create really dynamic photos. Black and white doesn’t work for all photos so put a bit of thought into the photos you want black and white. Black and white is great for photos with high contrast in darks and lights but remember most colours come out in greys so if the colour contrasts well that doesn’t always mean it will be the same in black and white. Black and white is great for focusing on the composition of the photo (like patterns and shapes) instead of colour. Another great thing about black and white is that it can hide noise in your photos (those colour speckles) from high ISO (light sensitivity) or lower quality cameras. Here’s an example of a great photo from Amy at St Joseph’s College, Mildura which could also work well as black and white.
Converting to black and white isn’t always, well, black and white. Many programs will have preset black and white filters that will draw out different shades in different colours and create higher contrast photos.
Dodge, Dodge, Burn!
Dodging and burning is an advanced Photoshop technique and essentially involves darkening or brightening shadows, highlights and midtones by using a kind of ‘paint-brush’. I won’t go into too much detail on this one but will show you some great effects you can master. This photo submitted by Sarah from Wynnum North State High School was really impressive but using the dodge tool on the eyes allowed for an interesting focus on colour. Playing with similar colours in your photos is a great way to emphasise particular colours, in this case the eyes with the shirt.
This technique is difficult to demonstrate but the best way you can learn is by finding the dodge and burn tools in your program and having a bit of fun with your photos. The best way to learn I think.
Put It Together
Keep having fun with your photos by using these techniques and then start putting them all together. Lucille from Kirwan State High School submitted this great photo which had some really interesting elements. By using a number of Photoshop techniques, including the ones mentioned previously as well as some newies you can really increase the 'drama' in your photos.
‘Playing’ with your images can be a lot of fun and also make your photos look fantastic. Like all good things, the only way you will get better is practicing so read the help pages in your program and use that help search function and read about the different techniques I have mentioned. Now you can go and have some fun with your new best friend.
