Your process?

[wrlwnd]

I'm new to editing digital media. I have been looking for a step-by-step process for newbies which would change my random sliding of various tools into an organized general approach to enhancing my images. Eventually I would expect to be more intuitive and know what to do from experience but for now its very much akin to the monkeys typing long enough to write a shakespearean drama.

[Rent]

Wrlwind What editing program are you using ?
Roy

[Dave Humphries]

Hi,

Warm welcome to the CiC forums from me.

In addition to answering Roy's question ...

Could you do me a favour please?
Could you click Settings (right at the top),
then Edit Profile (on left)
and put your first name in the Real Name field
and where you are (roughly) in the Location field,
then click the Save Changes button below and to right,
this helps everyone give you more personal and relevant answers - thanks in advance.

Dave

[Geoff F]

Maybe upload an unedited image so members can guide you through the way they work.

But all shots are different and photographers work in different ways so there won't be any definite suitable for all purposes answers.

[James G]

Not sure how much use it will be since based on CS6, but it is a workflow I've passed on to others over the years....

Click on the link attached below to access my Cloud Storage. You can then view the PDF file.

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AiuW3Dam93Qeg_4S3i89h2gxWjW1BA

If it is usefull to you, please download it.

[rpcrowe]

1. I always shoot RAW for many reasons...
2. I open my RAW images using Adobe Camera RAW in Adobe Bridge. ACR is available for programs other than Bridge.
3. Once my images are opened, I begin my edits using Photoshop CC 2017. (there are a variety of less expensive and perfectly adequate programs besides Photoshop. One program which is very popular is Photoshop Elements. Every new version of Elements includes new capabilities. The present version of PSE is Photoshop Elements 15. You can purchase Photoshop Elements while Photoshop CC is available only on a subscription basis (http://www.adobe.com/products/photos...ing-guide.html). The prices for Elements and CC vary with your location but, occasionally there are sales.
4. I also use NIK Software to edit my images. NIK Software is available free of charge from Google and can be used independently of along with Photoahop, Photoshop Elements and other programs.

[xpatUSA]

I'm new to editing digital media. I have been looking for a step-by-step process for newbies which would change my random sliding of various tools into an organized general approach to enhancing my images. Eventually I would expect to be more intuitive and know what to do from experience but for now its very much akin to the monkeys typing long enough to write a shakespearean drama.

1) open your masterpiece in your editor/viewer.

2) select the Levels control.

2a) if your editor/viewer has no Levels control - quit.
2b) otherwise, set the left pointer to where the leftmost content starts except, if the leftmost content is already at zero, leave it and move on.

3) set the right pointer to where the rightmost content ends except, if the rightmost content is already at 255 leave it and move on.

4) waggle the middle slider until the result looks pleasant to you.

Basically, steps 1-4 set up your Global Contrast.

5) look at the colors . . if you don't like them waggle the Saturation slider until you do. Repeat 2b-4 (messing with Saturation can affect Levels).

6) resize the image to whatever you like. Remember that downsizing can cause aliasing (jaggies, moiré) - quite a can of worms which I won't open today.

7) look at image details with around 200% zoom (sounds of shock, horror heard off-stage). If soft, sharpen to taste. If noisy, do some noise reduction and then sharpen a bit.

Those who print could add more advice to the above.

If you just view on your monitor, I'm about done with this highly simplified general advice. Circling sharks might find a problem or two, though . .

[IzzieK]

You have enough tips here so I will just welcome you to CiC. I'm from Missouri. And you are????