Despite the fact that I have been taking pictures for over fifteen years, I still find myself at times feeling stuck in deciding what editing direction to go with certain images.
You will notice that none of these questions is about technique. I recall a quote by Henry Mancini, the legendary composer who said:
“Technique is only superficial.” “Music’s character is determined by the way in which technique is applied.”
Technique is important, I don’t deny that. It is, in my opinion, the most important thing. What I am saying is that the results of all the techniques, including the use and editing of photos with the camera, are the same.
When photographers focus on their gear or technique over the subject they are photographing they will not achieve any growth.
I would like to share a few of my favorite concepts for photo editing in this article. I’m not going to talk about a particular tool or fancy technique you’ve seen in numerous articles or videos.
I will instead focus on two powerful techniques that you can apply immediately to your photos and help you create much better images that represent your vision.
The technical approach is not enough
I believe that photo editing is a large part of the process of creating an image. It goes beyond just moving sliders around to correct shadows, highlight, or boost saturation and contrast. When deciding when, where and how to make a particular adjustment, you need to think carefully.
It’s a common misconception that there is only one way to edit photos. There are many different editing options. What you want to convey and how you wish to make your audience feel is what matters.