Capturing picture perfect photographs has never been quite as easy as digital photography makes it. Of course, you still have to pay attention to those essentials like choosing the right light conditions, the theme and everything that comes along with it. However, with digital technology, you still have the room to edit out those unforeseen errors and can allow yourself that extra bit of space which is invaluable if you aren't quite the wiz with your digital camera. But even though you may have spent hours selecting the editing software that is most conducive to your level of skill and requirements, it still isn't much good if you have to spend ages laboring over the bare essentials you need to give your images that much-needed makeover. And hence, it is vital that you master these few basics before you move on to handling those complicated maneuvers that will eventually aid you in re-mastering your images.
Before you set out to edit your image, always make sure that you have a backup copy of the original with you. That way, even if you do make a complete disaster of the image, you still have the original to get back to, and rework from scratch, if need be. To do this, you first need to open a copy of your image with the editing software, and then click on the 'Save As' option, which will copy a replica of the original to a convenient part of your computer. You can begin to experiment with the copy of the image, once you've ensured that the original is intact. Almost every photo-editor encourages you to be as experimental as you can, with the 'Undo' option close at hand if you need to erase any changes you've made. Some, more advanced versions even allow you multiple undo options to save only the changes you want to and discard the rest.
Your software will also offer you plenty of alternatives when it comes to working your way around the image. The most basic, and also most common, tool is the 'Hand tool', which is also known as the 'Pan tool'. You can use this to move through the image, without having to worry about causing any involuntary changes. If you need to get closer for a better view, which also translates into more accuracy, you can zoom in to your image with the 'Magnifying Glass Tool' which, as the name suggests, is similar to function as the magnifying glass. This tool will display a 'plus' sign, when you are closing in on your image and a negative sign when you're drawing out. Most editing softwares let you left click to zoom in or out of your image, while others also have the added advantage of a set increment when you right click on the specific part of the image.
When zooming into your image, you may also find that it appears blurred and indistinct. However, this is only because the pixels, which make up the image, disperse when you close in and thus separate. This lets you work on minute details on your image and then zoom out again, to view a clearer picture. It also makes it a lot easier on your eyes while saving you the effort of squinting at the computer screen to get a closer look. You can even use the 'Eyedropper Tool' to select sets of pixels which are of a particular color, without worrying about missing on even the minutest spot.
Your editing software will also be enabled with what are known as 'Marquee' tools, which let you trace basic shapes like rectangles and circles or even ellipses around your image. You can also use the freeform tool for drawing around unsymmetrical shapes which do not fit into the rectangular or circular frames. This freeform tool lets you trace around the image by holding your mouse button down or clicking around the image to create a series of dots which will automatically connect to each other, once you click on the first dot again. And once you're through with your selection, a flowing dotted line will appear around the highlighted portion of your image.
These basic functions set the stage for the more advanced tools which you can use to create spectacular effects and even make discreet changes to enhance your images. The easiest and most foolproof technique to augment the focus of your photograph is to crop the edges off with the subject in the center. You can even hue your images with a subtle tint to imbibe it with a special theme using the array of filters that your editing software provides you with. You can also paint brush strokes over your image, just as you would with a physical painting, to add color and even paint out slight blemishes in your image.
Your skills at editing your digital photographs will be as developed as your willingness to experiment is. The more you dabble in the unconventional, the wider array of tools you use, which also increases your familiarity with the software. And once you are aware of the true potential of your editing software, you'll soon discover the multitude of opportunities it offers, thus metamorphosing your images into spectacular works to art! - 15437
Before you set out to edit your image, always make sure that you have a backup copy of the original with you. That way, even if you do make a complete disaster of the image, you still have the original to get back to, and rework from scratch, if need be. To do this, you first need to open a copy of your image with the editing software, and then click on the 'Save As' option, which will copy a replica of the original to a convenient part of your computer. You can begin to experiment with the copy of the image, once you've ensured that the original is intact. Almost every photo-editor encourages you to be as experimental as you can, with the 'Undo' option close at hand if you need to erase any changes you've made. Some, more advanced versions even allow you multiple undo options to save only the changes you want to and discard the rest.
Your software will also offer you plenty of alternatives when it comes to working your way around the image. The most basic, and also most common, tool is the 'Hand tool', which is also known as the 'Pan tool'. You can use this to move through the image, without having to worry about causing any involuntary changes. If you need to get closer for a better view, which also translates into more accuracy, you can zoom in to your image with the 'Magnifying Glass Tool' which, as the name suggests, is similar to function as the magnifying glass. This tool will display a 'plus' sign, when you are closing in on your image and a negative sign when you're drawing out. Most editing softwares let you left click to zoom in or out of your image, while others also have the added advantage of a set increment when you right click on the specific part of the image.
When zooming into your image, you may also find that it appears blurred and indistinct. However, this is only because the pixels, which make up the image, disperse when you close in and thus separate. This lets you work on minute details on your image and then zoom out again, to view a clearer picture. It also makes it a lot easier on your eyes while saving you the effort of squinting at the computer screen to get a closer look. You can even use the 'Eyedropper Tool' to select sets of pixels which are of a particular color, without worrying about missing on even the minutest spot.
Your editing software will also be enabled with what are known as 'Marquee' tools, which let you trace basic shapes like rectangles and circles or even ellipses around your image. You can also use the freeform tool for drawing around unsymmetrical shapes which do not fit into the rectangular or circular frames. This freeform tool lets you trace around the image by holding your mouse button down or clicking around the image to create a series of dots which will automatically connect to each other, once you click on the first dot again. And once you're through with your selection, a flowing dotted line will appear around the highlighted portion of your image.
These basic functions set the stage for the more advanced tools which you can use to create spectacular effects and even make discreet changes to enhance your images. The easiest and most foolproof technique to augment the focus of your photograph is to crop the edges off with the subject in the center. You can even hue your images with a subtle tint to imbibe it with a special theme using the array of filters that your editing software provides you with. You can also paint brush strokes over your image, just as you would with a physical painting, to add color and even paint out slight blemishes in your image.
Your skills at editing your digital photographs will be as developed as your willingness to experiment is. The more you dabble in the unconventional, the wider array of tools you use, which also increases your familiarity with the software. And once you are aware of the true potential of your editing software, you'll soon discover the multitude of opportunities it offers, thus metamorphosing your images into spectacular works to art! - 15437
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