Opening Photos in Camera Raw
Before we can begin the 6-Points of editing photos, we need to learn how to open them in Camera Raw. Click on the video link to the right to watch, and then come back to this page and watch the next video. Continue this process, watching all videos, then you will work on a DEMO image yourself. |
Step 1
Fix the White Balance White Balance is important to fix your white balance first because it changes your exposure also I find it hard to work on an image or your color is way off if you fix this first many of your problems will go away. My favorite method to fix white balance is to use the White Balance Selector tool (eyedropper). Ideally you want to click on something that is light gray. If there's nothing grey, pick something neutral. |
Step 2
Tweak the Exposure & Contrast The Exposure slider adjusts the exposure overall. Don't overthink this slider you are just going to make the image brighter or darker. If you drag it to the left it's darker and if you drag it to the right it's brighter. The biggest thing I see in images today for post-processing is that the images are flat. Go to the Contrast slider and drag it to the right if you're exposure is pretty close. This is your secret to increasing the overall look of the image. |
Step 3
Fix Shadow and Highlight Problems Shadows If your image has some areas that are too dark you may need to fix them though the Shadows Slider.
Highlights There are times that I use the Highlights Slider.
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Step 6
Adjustment Brush - Selective Areas Everything we have done so far has changed the whole photo. Look for parts of the photo that need something. Is an area too dark, but another area too light? Now we want to affect just one part so we need the Adjustment Brush. One of the oldest least taught and most important things to do to a photograph is Dodging and Burning. Dodging is making the image brighter, and burning is making the image darker. |