Photo Review tips section

Resizing and cropping

Resizing and cropping are two of the most basic image editing functions. Both require careful consideration as they can affect image quality. Resizing changes the dimensions of the image, which usually affects the file size (and, thereby, image quality). Cropping always involves cutting away part of the original image and results in some of the pixels being discarded.

The editing toolbox

All image editors provide a workspace with menu bars and toolbars for accessing all the adjustments. Although their layout may be a little different and some tools can be grouped differently in different sub-menus, in essence most of the tools will do similar things.

How to use retouching tools

Retouching tools are provided in all editing software, although entry-level applications may provide few of them and offer limited scope for adjusting them. Most applications apply adjustments with ‘brushes’ that can be adjusted with sliders, usually in a pop-up dialog box that resembles the screen grab below. Brushes can also be set via a dropdown menu in either the menu bar or the toolbox.

Working with layers

Adjustment layers are among the most useful editing functions, partly because they enable you to edit non-destructively but also because you can use the Layers function to select part of an image and work on it without affecting the remainder of the image. The best way to visualise layers is as transparent overlays upon which specific effects are applied.

Camera connectivity

Most recent cameras include integrated Wi-Fi, which enables them to send images – and often movie clips – to smart-phones and tablets or upload them to devices connected to a wireless network. With the majority of people carrying a smart device these days, Wi-Fi is the logical choice for a camera that needs to communicate with the rest of the world.

Go minimalist

Less can be more when you want to create different looking images.A basic tenet of photographic composition urges photographers to fill the frame with the subject. While this strategy works well most of the time, there are situations when a minimalist approach can give a refreshing new slant to your creative vision.

Travel photo story tips

Great travel photos tell a story by opening our minds to interpretation and allowing us a glimpse into the lives of others. By considering each image as an individual story we can transform visually stimulating locations, landmarks or scenes into visual drama and a more intense experience for the viewer.