Thanks so much for the overwhelming response to asking for advice on me sharing how I edit my photos. I had over 20 messages in less than a few hours.
I thought I’d start with a sunset picture which is a common photo you might take! I loved taking them. In fact a sunset photo competition with my friend is what got me into photography in the first place.
They are one of the hardest photos to work with as part of the photo is very light, and the other very dark. Please note every photo is different this is just an easy way to edit for any device!
Anything you didn't understand or future things you want to know about photography; please comment, message or email me.
I’ll try respond quickly with a message or write/film a new tutorial 😊
TIP 1: Before you even get into editing; Make sure you can see the foreground and the clouds if you can. This will allow you to edit this way and make out the whole picture.
This is a sunset picture I’ve taken In Mount Cook National Park on the hike through the Hooker Valley. If you're ever there it is absolutely a walk you should do!
STEP 1
I open my photo (which I capture in RAW camera format) into Photoshop Camera RAW editor.
(Don’t worry if you don't have this application the tools are similar in Lightroom, and even most iPhone camera apps have similar terms).
First thing I do from there is raise my overall exposure so I can see the foreground better but so I can still see my clouds.
STEP 2
Generally the image might have a bigger depth between light and dark so from there you can drag down your highlights slider (every app will have one of these).
STEP 3
Because my foreground is still a little dark I’ll bring up my shadows slider.
Keep in mind the foreground will naturally be darker without the sun so don’t make it lighter than the sky.
I will also bring up my Clarity slider, but not much only maximum +20.
STEP 4
Vibrancy and Saturation. These two used to be my favourite sliders! I loved to pump that colour, but your images look sooooo fake then! Better to have an understated sky but nice calm pinks than kill my eyes fiery reds which weren't actually there. I happen to most of the time lower them a little.
I limit my sliders to a maximum of +30.
Vibrancy I’ll use more because it works to not affect skin tones, so in this mountain scene the muted rocks, or the sand on a beach wont have unrealistic colour.
Saturation however will change your whole scene.
STEP 5
Vignette!! 90% of the time I add one of these bad boys. Usually only subtlety but it will focus the viewers eye to the centre of your image. All these slight adjustments you wont notice unless you see a comparison but your brain will. (You may not have the feather etc. settings on your editing app so just move the vignette sightly)
FINISH!
A lot of my images this is the end point. It’s Nicely balanced and ready to share. I may add a few more things in photoshop but they are too advanced and long to show on this one blog.
Let me know anything else you'd like to know?