How do you decide

[ardentphotog]

when to use what editing effect in a photo?

I was editing photos from a birthday party and for the most part, the editing theme I was going for worked. There were a few that didn't look well so they were changed, but as a photog, what point do you determine that the effect you'd like to use just doesn't look good?


Do you sort by people, objects, color, consult with client or go on a whim?

Curious to know and TIA!

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by ardentphotog

when to use what editing effect in a photo?

I was editing photos from a birthday party and for the most part, the editing theme I was going for worked. There were a few that didn't look well so they were changed, but as a photog, what point do you determine that the effect you'd like to use just doesn't look good?


Do you sort by people, objects, color, consult with client or go on a whim?

Curious to know and TIA!

I can't speak for anybody else, but what I do is very simple: I look at the image I have on the screen. Then, I decide what needs to be done and proceed accordingly. Keep in mind that I'm a newbie at digital editing-- so, take what I've said with a grain of salt.

[faeriegodess612]

Originally Posted by Tito87

I can't speak for anybody else, but what I do is very simple: I look at the image I have on the screen. Then, I decide what needs to be done and proceed accordingly.

This pretty much. I usually play with the WB in Camera Raw to see if I like something else better. Bump the contrast slider a bit, sometimes the saturation. Typical stuff that you have to do to a RAW file to bring it to life. Hit the Auto Sharpen just for good measure, and sometimes have to correct the whites by using Color Corrector. The occasional Straighten or Clone out of something. Thats pretty much it, unless I'm REALLY having to fix something. But I try to avoid taking photos that would need that much work in the first place. Get it right in camera as much as possible first and you'll have less editing work to do later.

[ishootRAW]

Originally Posted by faeriegodess612

Get it right in camera as much as possible first and you'll have less editing work to do later.

Amen to that.

[Zeke Menuar]

I do my best to get the image right when I'm taking the picture. Lot's of shots at various settings.

This is because I don't have a clue about how to use Lightroom 3 or Raw Therapee.
Occasionally I tweak a shot with Irfanview. But not very often.

I have enough on my plate trying to figure out the camera. Trying to figure out Lightroom causes me to be more confused than I already am.

[Niresangwa]

To answer the question (and not get side tracked preaching the obvious by saying 'get it right in camera' as that has nothing to do with what was asked)...

...I think it comes with experience, and recognizing that certain features within the image (inherent colours and structural elements) lend themselves better to certain finishes than others. When taken in the context of the mood you're trying to create, I've generally found that 'you know it when you see it'.

I generally go through a few permutations on shots that find themselves in a 'grey' area. LR3 was a revelation as far as this is concerned, by using presets, you can see the preview of different treatments before applying them.. you can subsequently tweak as you see fit, or just simply zero the image and start over.. so you can go through a bunch of attempts in a matter of a couple of minutes.

As time goes on, and you develop a 'style' of editing, you'll develop a stable of treatments, and quickly recognize which images work in which way. Using presets or actions to get you in the ballpark, then making minor adjustments either right there in LR or exportingto PS for more advanced tweaks.

[i speak in math]

I generally have an idea of what I want the shoot to look like ahead of time. I have it pre-visualized. Then I edit them just to add a finishing touch. Most of the work, planning and visual style comes from the actual shoot, not from post production.

[kcoppock]

I don't typically go for any "effects" myself. I just do my best to get it to the proper exposure and color balance. First step is to straighten and crop in RAW if needed. Then I'll correct the white balance if it's off. Then I'll compress and tweak the tonal curve to make the brightest tone is pure white, the darkest black is pure black (except in circumstances where that's not the desired result), and boost the vibrance to get a realistic color. My sister's more into the whole effects and actions type of work -- To each their own, but my preference is for realism.

[mosgood]

I use both Lightroom 3 & Elements 7 for my editing. I would love to have something better than Elements 7 right now, but money is tight...I only use it as a last resort to polish an image. But beyond maybe tweaking the lighting a bit (LR3 is great for this!), some cropping if necessary, I do my best to get a good exposure in camera. After that, I might adjust the saturation depending on if I feel the picture is too saturated or needs a color boost. I try to keep it fairly minimal for the most part. Besides being less time consuming, it means I can get back out with my camera quicker!

[BigFuzzy]

One thing you have to ask yourself as well is whether or not you want consistency in the editing. Is there a need for all images to "feel" similar, or does it not matter that you have 4 different types of b&w imgaes in the set?

With weddings and family sessions I feel it often helps the client to have more of a consistent feel (ie use same b&w processing throughout). But I also leave myself the flexibility to stray outside if I feel a particular shot nees a special type of processing. Also matters if you're trying to tell a story as consistency will allow the viewer to stay on topic instead of their eyes/brain being dragged accross various types of processing..

My .02