So you’ve taken a good photo and you’re wondering how to make it even better. Of course, to do that you need the best photo editing software for beginners or professionals. Imagine that you have done some post-processing, but the final result looks worse than the original. Why? Most likely, you have made one of the most common mistakes in picture editing.
What kind of mistake is that exactly? We can’t say for sure, because we didn’t see what you were doing. However, we have compiled the most common mistakes photographers make in post-processing. Read, study, and don’t make any more of them!
1. Choosing the Unsuitable Photo Editor
At first glance, it seems that such a mistake is unreal, but this is not the case. For example, you can accidentally choose software that is too complicated for your understanding if you are a beginner. If you’re just starting out in photography, you can read about the best photo editing software for beginners on Skylum’s blog. There are also many other useful articles there that will help you develop your professional skills.
If you’ve been doing photography and post-processing for a long time, even the best digital photo editing software for beginners probably won’t help you. More often than not, they just don’t have the tools, filters, and presets that you’ll definitely need. In general, choose wisely!
2. Unnatural Colors
Source: unsplash.com
So, you’ve decided what is the best photo editing software for beginners or professionals you need, subscribed to it, or bought a lifetime license. However, this is only the beginning of your challenging journey.
Very often photographers do not feel the line between natural and unnatural colors. As a result, images look too bright and oversaturated. How do you deal with this? You need to keep a close eye on these parameters:
- white balance
- contrast
- saturation.
3. Over Sharpening
Photo sharpening can add a level of detail and contrast to your images that can make them stand out. However, it’s important to use sharpening tools in photo editors with caution, as over-editing can lead to a number of unwanted effects. Aggressive sharpening can result in exaggerated edges, artifacts, and halos around your subject, detracting from the overall quality of the image.
To achieve optimal results, it’s crucial to strike a balance between noise reduction and sharpening. With the right techniques and tools, you can enhance your images while avoiding the common pitfalls of over-sharpening. By mastering the art of photo sharpening, you can take your editing skills to the next level and create stunning, professional-quality images.
4. Editing the Original File
Source: pinnaclesys.com
Here are reasons why you should avoid editing the original file:
- If you don’t back up your source material, you may lose it permanently. Any errors made or attempts to undo multiple steps could be impossible.
- Without an original image to reference, over-editing and moving too far from the original is a risk. When editing an image, it’s important to have the original image as a reference point. Without the original, you won’t be able to check whether you’re over-editing or moving too far from the original image. This can lead to a loss of clarity, detail, and overall quality in the final product.
- Repeatedly saving a JPG file can cause a loss of image quality. To avoid this issue, it’s recommended to save your edited image as a new file rather than repeatedly saving over the original. This way, you can preserve the original image quality and avoid any further damage caused by repeated saves. By being proactive in your file-saving practices, you can ensure that your edited images maintain the highest possible quality and clarity.
5. Too Much Contrast
Adjusting the contrast in your photos can enhance their overall visual impact, but overdoing it can have negative effects. When it is increased too much, the image can become blown out, with whites appearing too white and blacks too black. In the process, important details can be lost, making the photo less appealing overall.
To avoid this issue, it’s important to apply contrast selectively to specific portions of the image, rather than applying it uniformly across the entire picture. By focusing on the details and using tools like Curves and Levels in your photo editing software, you can achieve a more nuanced and balanced contrast adjustment. This allows you to enhance the overall impact of the photo while preserving its details and avoiding the unappealing effects of over-adjusting contrast.
6. Skin Over-Retouching
Source: unsplash.com
In portrait editing, it’s common to want to enhance your subject’s appearance by smoothing skin and removing blemishes. However, it’s important to strike a balance between enhancing natural features and creating an artificial appearance.
Over-retouching can lead to a plastic, unnatural look that detracts from the overall appeal of the portrait. To avoid this, it’s important to keep the original image and the retouched image side-by-side while editing. This way, you can compare the two and ensure that you’re not over-smoothing or removing too many natural features.
It’s important to remember that a few blemishes and imperfections can add character and depth to a portrait. Instead of aiming for unrealistic perfection, focus on enhancing natural beauty and maintaining the subject’s individuality. By striking the right balance in your portrait editing, you can achieve a beautiful, natural-looking final product that your subject will love.
7. Not Calibrating Your Monitor
Monitor calibration is a vital thing without which proper color reproduction can be forgotten. If it is not done, the colors you see on your monitor will be different from those you get in print. Windows or Mac computers have built-in calibration tools so be sure to use them on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Remember, there is no development without mistakes. The main thing is not to repeat them. Practice, and you will succeed!
