What editing should I do...

[superduperwesman]

Typically, (maybe typically is a bad way to start but I guess we'll see) what kind of post processing should I do as a rule of thumb.

I recently read a thread indicating that a lot of pictures can benefit from a levels adjustment so I've been trying to do this a little more and I do like the results. However, what do you do when you don't have a good black, white and / or grey point to select?

I know it can vary from case to case ie. I like to sharpen for photos of coral in my fish tank and possibly soften some portraits. If the sun is bright in the back ground I may do some recovery and adjust the shadows or highlights... and the list goes on

But does anyone have any suggestions for what should "typically" be adjusted? Ideally, I guess the answer would be nothing... but I'd be interested to hear some thoughts.

Thanks

[dcclark]

Things which I generally do:

- Cropping, of course!

- Curves (which is similar to levels, but more flexible). By the way -- you don't have to select the white/black point by hand. In levels or curves, you can adjust the left and right points by hand, moving them in until any "empty" space in the histogram has been cut out. This will push everything towards the blacks and whites.

- Sharpening. Maybe just light sharpening, but digital photos benefit enormously from this.

"Nothing" is a fine answer too, but almost every photo can benefit from a bit of post-processing. This is because what your camera sees is NOT what your eyes saw -- your brain is amazing at seeing things that are small and unimportant, at ignoring big things like telephone wires and entire buildings, at emphasizing colors or hiding details. You may need to work on the photo to make it represent what you saw.

[OsmosisStudios]

Thom Hogan has been doing a thing on his workflow. Check it out here

[windrider86]

One of the first things I always do is to do a noise removal. crop and then go on to any other adjustment level (levels, saturation) and lastly unsharp mask

[Krusty79]

windrider,

I got used to seeing all your posts saying, "There are certain criteria that needs to be fulfilled to post in the critique section..."

Seriously, do you use Photoshop to remove noise? If so, is there a technique you recommend?

I have read in other posts that using layers in non-destructive. Is using curves non-destructive, or is the destructive/non-destructive thing worth worrying about?

Greg

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

I have read in other posts that using layers in non-destructive. Is using curves non-destructive, or is the destructive/non-destructive thing worth worrying about?

I prefer non-destructive editing because, well, you can undo anything you like!

I think that Photoshop offers a Curves adjustment layer, which means, non-destructive -- the layer just applies curves to whatever is below it.

For Gimp, we don't have adjustment layers yet. Luckily, ANYTHING can be made non-destructive with regular layers. For example, you can duplicate a layer and apply Curves to the duplicate. If you like it, you keep the layer. If you don't, you can delete it and re-duplicate later.

My edited files usually have a fairly large number of layers, each for something like sharpening, masking out parts of the image, etc.

[windrider86]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

windrider,

I got used to seeing all your posts saying, "There are certain criteria that needs to be fulfilled to post in the critique section..."

Seriously, do you use Photoshop to remove noise? If so, is there a technique you recommend?

I have read in other posts that using layers in non-destructive. Is using curves non-destructive, or is the destructive/non-destructive thing worth worrying about?

Greg

I rarely use Photo shop. 99% of the time I use Corels' Paint Shop Pro. For noise removal I use a plug in called Noise Ninja. I think it was like 40 bucks. I always do any sort of editing on a separate layer. ALWAYS!!
The destructive thing is always something to worry about. Thats why you always do your editing on a separate layer and always leave the original alone.

[zappo]

I would say this largely depends on the original you are working with and the kind of style you want to achive. In my experience all photos benefit from:
- Color adjustments - to remove tints or generate one
- Contrast adjustments - especially RAW Photos are alway to flat
- Sharpening - also, especially RAW pictures need to be sharpened

If you shoot JPG your camera will try to make this adjustments, based on some medium settings someone thought of in Japan. Often you can change this setting directly in the camera to your liking.

Oh and never ever edit the original file if you don't have a copy somewhere. You will enter a world of pain if you find your best shot completly oversaturated ten years ahead.

[jonson3]

Hi i am new to this forum, I am really enjoying this forum i want to suggest you that you can really edit any thing from new genration camera.

Thanks !!
________________
spy camera dvr

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by jonson3

Hi i am new to this forum, I am really enjoying this forum i want to suggest you that you can really edit any thing from new genration camera.

First -- welcome! DPS is a great place to come to learn about photography.

That said, I really don't understand what you mean. You can edit anything from any camera -- even film cameras (of course, in the darkroom, not in photoshop). Next-Gen cameras may get better in-camera quality, however.