Photography is an art form that allows each individual to capture the world from their own unique lens. Any image that’s captured can offer a different perspective, depending on the lighting and design techniques used by the artist. Bring your creativity and imagination to life by enhancing your photo editing skills and injecting your own unique viewpoints into every photo you take. Here are some expert design tips that can elevate an ordinary photograph to a mesmerizing masterpiece:
1. Crop your images to capture a specific story
Photo cropping is a useful tool for refocusing a photograph to the specific story you’re trying to tell. Begin by cropping any unnecessary aspects of the surrounding photo so that the subject of the photo is clearly displayed as the central theme.
2. Play with radial and gradient filters
A gradient filter allows you to adjust the contrast of various aspects of the photo. You can lighten or darken the sky or adjust the contrast of the primary object, all depending on the areas of the photograph you want to highlight. A radiant filter enables you to draw attention to one specific aspect of the photograph. It helps to draw the viewer’s focus to the part of the photograph that’s most essential to the picture as a whole.
3. Use the Clone/Heal tool to remove distractions
Your photograph should ideally focus on one specific image or idea. Naturally, when taking pictures in outdoor settings or settings you can’t completely control, objects will enter the frame that don’t pertain to the specific theme of your photo. You can use the Clone/Heal Tool to remove unwanted objects in the picture so a person’s attention is drawn immediately to the subject of the photo.
4. Adjust the colors and contrasts
Play with the colors of the photo to find colors and contrasts that suit the overall message you’re trying to convey. If you’re trying to capture the brilliant colors of nature, you can brighten the color of the primary subject, while fading the background. If you want to create a washed-out look to the image, you can fade the entire picture. For monochrome photography, you can create a black and white image or even add color to specific objects within the image. The color schemes you choose will be specific to each picture and can drastically change the emotion that the photograph evokes.
5. Use effects to express your creativity
There are countless effects that can be used, each of which will add a particular perspective or emotion to the photograph. Give the photo a grittier feel by adding the old film grain effect to the photo. Apply an antiquated sentiment to the photograph by using an edge burn technique. Create a retro, digitalized feel by heavily pixelating the photo. With innumerable effects at your disposal, this is your opportunity to add a touch of creativity and turn your photograph into a work of personal expression.
Modern photography provides artists with endless different effects and filters, allowing you to customize each photograph and make it unique to you. When editing any image, you need to decide what message you’re hoping to convey. Then, you can play with filters, effects, and contrasts to create a photograph that perfectly expresses the message or emotion you wish to communicate through the picture.
Read also: The Best Apps for Quick and Easy Photo Editing to learn more.