Basics of Post processing

Creed

Creed

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Edit My Images
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Are there any steps that people would do to most images? for example do you always adjust the levels etc and if so what do you need to acheive... I know most of it is what looks right but there must be some rules to go by like the rule of thirds, don't have a distraction in the background in a portrait etc.

I have managed to make some of my photo's look nicer by playing with levels etc in light room but its just that 'Playing' I don't actually understand why they look better just that this slider hear makes it look nice etc etc....
 
Hmmm! :thinking:

I generally straighten if it needs it, curves and/or levels, clone out any dust specs or small intrusions, crop, sharpen.

If its a portrait/headshot I usually remove minor blemishes, lighten eye-bags & soften the look of wrinkles.
 
It varies according to the camera settings.
I shoot with everything on the camera at 0. No sharpening,contrast,saturation etc.
In 90% of cases I check the levels and tweak if necessary, I often add a dash of contrast in PS which sharpens and gives a bit of depth. That's it.

If I shoot with either of the "Zone Matching" iso settings I usually check the levels and see how far out they are, then rectify if necessary using a curves layer which I can mask in strategic places to maintain the detail. Otherwise it's just a dash of contrast again and whoop-de-do.

I think the critical thing is to get it as close as possible in the camera to start with, which means using the right settings and paying attention to the hystogram.
 
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