Introduction
Post-processing is the process of editing your photos after they have been taken. It’s important because it allows you to fix any mistakes that may have occurred during the shoot and make adjustments to your images based on what you saw in camera.
Post-processing can be done with either Lightroom or Photoshop, but we will focus on Lightroom for this article as it’s more beginner friendly.
Lightroom Basics
Lightroom is a powerful photo editing and management tool that can help you get the most out of your images. It’s available for both Mac and PC, with a subscription-based model (starting at $9.99 per month).
Lightroom’s main goal is to make it easier for photographers to organize their photos, apply basic adjustments like exposure, contrast and sharpness, and create beautiful prints from their raw files. In this section we’ll cover how to use Lightroom as well as some best practices when using it for post-processing purposes.
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Photoshop Basics
Post-processing is an art form, and Photoshop is a powerful tool for creating stunning images. But like any other tool, you need to learn how to use it properly before you can get the most out of it.
Here are some basic tips for using Photoshop:
- Use layers! Layers allow you to create different versions of your image without changing the original file or overwriting anything else in your project folder. This makes it easy for you to experiment with different looks without worrying about messing up anything else in your workflow. For example, if I want my photo to look more like an illustration than reality (like this one), I’ll create two layers: one with just my subject’s face on top of another layer that contains everything else from the scene (the background). Then I can use blending modes and masks on each individual layer so that only certain parts show through at any given time–for example by making sure only part of their face shows through when they’re facing forward but not when they’re looking off camera towards left side.”
Advanced Post-processing Techniques
Advanced Post-processing Techniques
As a photographer, you’ve likely mastered the basics of post-processing and are ready to take your skills to the next level. This section covers some of the more advanced editing techniques that can help you achieve professional results in your images.
- Color grading: This technique involves adjusting the color balance, contrast and saturation of an image using Lightroom or Photoshop. It’s often used to give photos a particular look or feel–for example, giving them an autumnal tone or making them appear like they were taken at night–and it can also be used as part of retouching (see below). You might want to check out our guide on how to do this here: https://www.dpreview.com/articles/9333980346/how-to-use-lightroom-for-color-grading
Tips for Better Post-processing
- Use the right tools for the job.
- Make sure you have the latest version of Lightroom and Photoshop installed.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings, but also keep in mind that there are no rules when it comes to post-processing!
Common Post-processing Mistakes
- Avoiding common post-processing mistakes is one of the best ways to ensure that your photos look as good as possible. Here are some common errors to watch out for:
- Over-sharpening. This can make images look grainy and pixelated, so it’s best to avoid it altogether if you’re using Lightroom or Photoshop. If you do need to sharpen an image, try using a low amount (around 25%) and only apply sharpening once in order to avoid oversharpenng. You may also want to consider using Smart Sharpen instead of Unsharp Mask since it automatically adjusts the amount based on how much detail there is in each part of the photo (e.g., edges vs backgrounds).
- Underexposure/overexposure issues caused by improper white balance settings or incorrect exposure settings during shooting time; these can be fixed with auto correction tools like those found within Lightroom’s Develop module
Post-processing Workflow
Post-processing is a crucial part of the photography process. It’s how you take your images from good to great, and it can be done in Lightroom or Photoshop (or both). Here’s an overview of what post-processing is, why it matters, and how to get started:
- What is post-processing? Post-processing refers to all of the steps that happen after you’ve taken your photo. These include adjusting exposure levels, adding contrast or color saturation, cropping the image into exactly what you want–all sorts of things!
- Why does it matter? Post-processing allows photographers more control over their images than ever before. By using software like Lightroom or Photoshop CC 2019 (Photoshop), we’re able to fine tune our photos until they look exactly how we want them on screen or printed out at home or professionally printed through an online service like CanvasPop or Fine Art America.* How do I get started? The first thing I recommend doing when learning how touse these programs is watching tutorials on YouTube – there are tons available covering everything from beginner basics alllllllleeee wayyyy down into advanced techniques!
Post-processing Resources
Post-processing is a great way to make your photos stand out. It’s also something that can be intimidating for new photographers, especially if they’re not sure where to start. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available online that can help you learn the basics of post-processing and get started on your own projects.
- Tutorials: Tutorials are an excellent way to learn how to use Lightroom and Photoshop by watching someone else do it in real time. There are tons of tutorials out there–just search for “Lightroom tutorial” or “Photoshop tutorial” on YouTube!
- Websites: There are many websites dedicated specifically towards teaching people how to use Lightroom or Photoshop (or both!). If you want more advanced tips from professionals who know what they’re doing, check out these sites: [Lightroom] https://www.lightroomtutorials101.com/lightroom-4/
Conclusion
- Use the Basic panel (Lightroom) or the Basic tab (Photoshop) to adjust your images.
- Use the Tone Curve panel (Lightroom) or Curves tool (Photoshop) to fine-tune the contrast of your image.
- Use the HSL/Color/Grayscale panel (Lightroom) or Hue/Saturation dialog box (Photoshop) to make color adjustments and remove unwanted colors from an image.
- Use Split Toning in Lightroom or Hue/Saturation adjustment layers with Colorize checked in Photoshop to add color tints to a black-and-white photo without affecting other colors in it.