This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Evaluating an image before editing
You could simply jump in and start editing, but it’s often better to first look over the image to understand what kind of editing it needs. Work from general problems to specific problems: First resolve issues affecting the whole image, and then address problems that affect only certain areas of the image. In this lesson, you’ll focus on overall edits and basic image repairs and retouching. In later lessons you’ll learn how to use selections and masks, which restrict edits to part of an image.
This is the sequence of basic edits we’ll explore in this lesson:
Tonal correction. Does the image make the best use of the tonal levels from black to white, with an appropriate amount of contrast?
Color correction. Do colors that should be neutral appear neutral, or does the image have an unnatural color cast?
Distraction removal. Would the image be improved by removing items, such as people in the background, overhead power cables, or dust on the camera lens?
Creative color. Do you want the image colors to express a certain style or look? You can make creative color decisions after the color correction step gives the image a balanced starting point.
Sharpness. Are image details sharp enough?
Composition. Does the image need to be cropped or resized for the final medium?
Let’s start by looking at the overall tone of the image that’s open in Photoshop. The image lacks contrast, especially in the sky, wall bricks, and roof tiles. Next, look at the overall color: It looks OK, but as a sunlit image it should probably look warmer than it does. For this image you’ll learn about tonal and color corrections; later in the lesson you’ll use other images to learn about the other types of basic edits.
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