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A Guide to Photo Editing
Kamera Express
Everything You Need to Know About Editing Photos
Our Photo Editing Guide
No photographer captures the perfect shot every time. It’s very common to end up with photos that could use some improvement. Your camera already allows you to set many settings correctly, but with post-processing you can get even more out of your photos. Think of adjusting exposure, contrast, a crooked horizon, or shifting the focus to certain details. Although many photographers like to stay close to the original image, you can also adjust colors or add a filter to create a slightly more polished version of reality. Photography is a creative craft—how much you adjust is entirely up to you.
Are you a beginner in photo editing? Then we recommend reading this blog about editing for beginners first. Here, our expert Uli guides you through the basics so you can start editing your photos well prepared.
Saving Photos for Editing
Most DSLR and mirrorless cameras (and some compact cameras) can save photos in RAW or JPEG format. For editing, RAW is the best choice because it is a completely unprocessed file that contains a lot of image information. With just a few small adjustments in post-processing, you can already create a big difference. When your camera saves a JPEG, the camera has already performed some processing, leaving you with fewer editing possibilities.
To show the difference, we have an example of an underexposed photo. The shadows in this photo are too dark, making it seem like details are lost. In the JPEG version, these dark areas are completely black—there are no details to recover. In the RAW version, enough information is retained to bring back the details hidden in the shadows.
Different Photo Editing Programs
To edit your photos, you need appropriate software. There are many paid and free editing programs you can use. Paid software offers more extensive features and gives you more control. Free programs are often more limited and sometimes harder to use. It’s good to know that most paid programs offer a trial version. You can use (almost) all features to decide whether the software suits you. Keep in mind that not every free program supports RAW files. Want to start editing but feeling overwhelmed? Then read this blog.
Paid Software
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe’s editing tools are indispensable. With Photoshop and Lightroom you can perfect your photos easily—they offer a huge number of editing options. The programs look similar but have key differences. Photoshop was originally intended for designers and has many advanced functions. Not sure where to begin? In this Photoshop tutorial we walk you through a few basic edits so you can create something fun.
Lightroom was developed specifically for photographers and their workflow. Importing, organizing, and editing is very easy thanks to the user-friendly interface. For amateurs and professionals, it’s one of the best programs available. Adjusting white balance, contrast, or color ranges can all be done with intuitive sliders and filters. You can also use presets to make editing even easier.
Corel PaintShop Pro
PaintShop Pro by Corel is similar to Adobe Photoshop. It’s graphic design software with many options. Unlike Adobe’s Creative Cloud, this is not a subscription—you pay once at a lower price. You’ll find all the tools you need to improve your photos, and you can even edit 360° photos. It looks more user-friendly than Photoshop, making it easier for beginners to learn.
Capture One
Capture One is one of the most precise editing programs for RAW files. It feels more intuitive than other editors, making the editing process fast and natural. It also offers many creative possibilities, allowing you to give your images your own unique look.
Free Software
GIMP
In terms of editing possibilities, the free program GIMP has a lot to offer. The interface contains many tools you can use to create layers and edit them. Straightening the horizon, color corrections, removing spots—these are just a few of the features. It looks professional and is logically organized.
Pixlr
Pixlr consists of several handy online tools that work directly in your browser. With Pixlr Express, you get the basic tools for quick editing. Pixlr Editor gives you more control, similar to Photoshop. Pixlr X is comparable to Lightroom, allowing you to edit using sliders within a simple library interface.
RawTherapee
RawTherapee is open-source software available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is specifically designed for editing RAW files. Its clear layout and slider-based workflow make RawTherapee a pleasant alternative to paid software. Comparable to Pixlr and GIMP, but easier to learn.
Editing Photos on Your Smartphone
Do you enjoy taking photos with your phone? You can also edit those into stunning images. The JPEGs your phone produces can be transformed with just a few adjustments—often more beautifully than using standard filters. In this blog, we share more about editing photos on your phone and highlight several free apps packed with editing features.
The Possibilities in Photo Editing
Once you’ve found the right editing program, it’s time to start editing. Select your best photos and open them in your software of choice. Below we explain the most common editing functions so you can get started quickly. For more in-depth explanation, examples, and tips, take a look here for inspiration.
Most Used Editing Functions
Exposure
Exposure is often the first adjustment you make. Most cameras and editing software have a histogram. Peaks on the left indicate underexposure; peaks on the right indicate overexposure. Many programs allow you to adjust overall exposure or only the highlights or shadows to create a good balance. The example image was overexposed and corrected in editing.
Color
By increasing or decreasing color intensity, you can emphasize certain elements. Adjusting saturation changes the intensity of all colors. In the example, the blue tones were intensified, giving the image a more tropical feel.
Horizon
If you accidentally shot a photo with a tilted horizon, you can easily straighten it during editing. Using grids or guides, you can rotate the image into the correct position. Note: you may lose small parts of the image around the edges.
Cropping
Is there something in the edges of your photo you’d rather remove? By cropping the image, you can easily get rid of unwanted elements. It’s a simple way to create a cleaner, more focused composition.
White Balance
White balance corrects the colors in a photo based on the lighting conditions. Light can give your photo a blue or orange tint. By selecting which part of your photo should be white, the software adjusts the colors accordingly.
Red Eye
In portraits, you may sometimes see the red retina behind the pupils. This can easily be removed in editing. Nearly every program offers a red-eye removal tool.
Contrast
Adjusting contrast enhances the separation between light and dark areas, clarifying shapes and strengthening colors. It can also help increase the overall sharpness of your composition.
