6 Simple Ways To Edit Photos

Today, Creative Team Member, Jerri Lantz, is sharing 6 Simple Ways To Edit Photos.

Complete these techniques in Adobe Photoshop and Elements.

6 Ways To Edit Photos

Introduction

Use the tools in Photoshop and Elements to make simple edits to your photos

• Change the Perspective and Focal Point of an image.
• Colorize photos using Adjustment Layers.
• Enhance your snapshots with Blending Modes.
• Wield the simplicity of Filters and Presets.

1. Crop Your Photo

Draw the eye to the Focal Point and change the perspective of the image capture.

• Select the Crop Tool from the Tool Panel.
• Click, hold down the left mouse button, then release to make a Selection around the Focal Point.
• Double click to accept the Transformation or click on the ‘check mark’ at the top of your screen (Photoshop) or on the Bounding Box (Elements.)

Note.

• This approach allows you to change the placement of the Focal Point according to the Rules of Thirds for a more interesting composition.

You can also clip your photo to a clipping mask.

• Open the FotoBlendz Clipping Mask of choice – In this case, a file from MultiLayered FotoBlendz No. 5 was selected.
• Move the ‘clipping mask’ layers onto your Layout Foundation using the Move Tool from the Tools Panel.
• Open and place your photo on top of the ‘mask’ or ‘fotoblendz’ layer in the Layers Panel.
• Go to Layer> Create Clipping Mask.
• Notice how the photo layer conforms to the soft blended Shape of the underlying mask layer.

2. Convert to Black and White

Desaturate your photo to yield a monochrome rendition of your image.

• Select the photo layer in the Layers Panel.
• Go to the Adjustments Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers Panel in Photoshop ONLY.
• Look for a ‘a semi-filled circle’ on a diagonal axis.
• Select Black and White from the fly-out menu.
• Go to Layer> Create Clipping Mask to clip the Adjustment Layer to the photo layer.

Note.

• In Photoshop Elements, go to Enhance> Adjust Color and move the Saturation slider ALL the way to the Left.

You can also Colorize your black and white photo.

• In Adobe Photoshop, check the Tint box at the top of the Properties Panel.
• Click on the ‘thumbnail’ next to this ‘checked’ box to access the Color Picker to change the Color.
• In Photoshop Elements, check on the Colorize box in the bottom right corner of the Hue and Saturation Panel.
• Move the Hue slider to adjust the Color.

3. Modify Saturation

Tone down colors that are too vivid or bright using an adjustment layer.

• Click on the Adjustment Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers Panel.
• Choose Hue and Saturation from the fly-out menu.
• Clip the adjustment layer to the photo layer using the Clipping Mask Function.
• Make refinements by clicking the ‘Master’ bar in the Properties Panel and selecting from the options.
• You can also move the Hue and Saturation sliders to preference.

Note.

• In Photoshop Elements, go to Enhance> Adjust Color> Hue and Saturation, then adjust the sliders to preference.

4. Apply Photo Filter

Change the ‘temperature’ of your photos using color filters

• Use a Photo Filter Adjustment layer to add a ‘cooler’ tone to your photo or vice versa.
• Select a Filter from the drop-down menu of options.
• Check the Color box to use the Color Picker to establish a custom color.

Note.

• In Photoshop Elements, click on the Adjustment Layer icon at the top of the Layers Panel.
• Look for a ‘a semi-filled circle’ on a diagonal axis.
• Select Photo Filter from the fly-out menu.
• Go to Layer> Create Clipping Mask to clip the Adjustment Layer to the photo layer.
• Follow the Photoshop instructions above to complete the effect.

5. Use Blending Modes

Duplicate layers and apply blending modes to elevate your photos.

• Duplicate the image by dragging the photo layer to the New Layer icon in the Layers Panel.
• Click on the ‘copy’ layer to select.
• Click on the Normal tab at the top of the Layers Panel to access the menu of Blending Modes.
• Choose a Soft Light Blending Mode from the menu to apply to the selected layer.
• Adjust the Opacity of the layer by moving the slider at the top of the Layers Panel to refine the effect.
• Notice how the application of the Blending Mode increases the Contrast and enhances the image.

6. Apply Camera Raw Filter

Duplicate layers and apply blending modes to elevate your photos.

• Select the photo layer in the Layers Panel.
• Go to Filter> Camera Raw Filter – Photoshop ONLY.
• Click on the bar next to Profile and choose Browse from the menu options.
• Choose from the Artistic, B/W, Modern and Vintage by clicking on the arrow to expand the options.
• Select and click OK to apply.

Note.

• In Photoshop Elements, go to the Effects Panel located at the bottom right corner of your screen.
• Click on the Faded Photo bar at the top of the panel to activate more options.
• Double click on the ‘thumbnail’ of each option to select.

Summary

You can improve and up-level the appearance of a photo in a few easy steps.

• Play with the Cropping of your photos to yield more Visual Interest in your compositions
• Use Adjustment Layers to modify Color and Saturation in an image.
• Apply Blending Modes to Duplicate layers to elevate Contrast.
• Play with Presets and Filters to save yourself time.

See also:

• Start to Finish Photo Editing Tutorial
• Creatively Cropping Your Photos
• Evenfall into Layers of Blending Modes Video
• Color Techniques

And of you liked this 6 Simple Ways To Edit Photos post, try one or more of the techniques in your own photo artistry and scrapbooking and post your layouts in the AnnaGallery.