6-Point System for Editing Photos (in Camera Raw)
The 6-Point System is really just for editing photos in Adobe Camera RAW. We only will be working with JPEG files in our class. These editing steps will help you get a "technically correct " and "accurate looking photo".
You will do pretty much the same 6 things to your images. Some images will need more or less adjusments from a different photo. Some photos might not even need all 6 editing points, only some of them. Below is a list of the 6-Points will cover when editing photos in Camera Raw |
- Color - The color has to be right. White Balance
- Tone - We have to get the exposure where you want it, as well as the overall tone of the image. Tweak the Exposure and Contrast
- Problems - We need to know how to fix problems that pop up in our images. Highlights and Shadows
- Flat Photos - We need to know how to fix flat-looking photos. Blacks and Whites
- Details - Increase the details and color. Clarity and Vibrance
- Selective Adjustments - Now were going to affect just a part of the photo. Adjustment Brush or Techniques done in Photoshop
Opening Photos in Camera Raw
Before we can begin the 6-Points of editing photos, we need to learn how to open them in Camera Raw. We will open Adobe BRIDGE and then right click on the photo and select > Open in Camera Raw
Step 1
Fix the White Balance
White Balance is important to fix your white balance first because it changes your exposure also I find it hard to work on an image or your color is way off if you fix this first many of your problems will go away.
My favorite method to fix white balance is to use the White Balance Selector tool (eyedropper). Ideally you want to click on something that is light gray. If there's nothing grey, pick something neutral.
My favorite method to fix white balance is to use the White Balance Selector tool (eyedropper). Ideally you want to click on something that is light gray. If there's nothing grey, pick something neutral.
Step 2
Tweak the Exposure & Contrast
The Exposure slider adjusts the exposure overall. Don't overthink this slider you are just going to make the image brighter or darker. If you drag it to the left it's darker and if you drag it to the right it's brighter.
The biggest thing I see in images today for post-processing is that the images are flat. Go to the Contrast slider and drag it to the right if you're exposure is pretty close. This is your secret to increasing the overall look of the image.
Step 3
Fix Shadow and Highlight Problems
Shadows
If your image has some areas that are too dark you may need to fix them though the Shadows Slider.
If your image has some areas that are too dark you may need to fix them though the Shadows Slider.
- Darken the shadows by dragging to the right
- Open up the shadows rather than darkening them by dragging the slider to the left.
Highlights
There are times that I use the Highlights Slider.
There are times that I use the Highlights Slider.
- If you want brighter highlights drag to the right
- If you want highlights for a sky to be more dramatic drag it to -100
Step 4
Fine Tuning Blacks & Whites
Blacks
When the image is washed out (very dull) and flat looking, the Blacks Slider can bring back color and detail.
When the image is washed out (very dull) and flat looking, the Blacks Slider can bring back color and detail.
Whites
Adjust the Whites Slider in the image to increase the brightest highlights in the photo.
Adjust the Whites Slider in the image to increase the brightest highlights in the photo.
Step 5
Add Clarity and Vibrance
The Clarity Slider looks great on images with texture looks great in pictures of guys, buildings, anything with some texture. This would NOT be good to add to photos of subjects that are supposed to be soft (females, furry animals, etc.)
This setting changes the saturation of all lower-saturated colors with less effect on the higher-saturated colors. Vibrance also prevents skin tones from becoming over-saturated. Adjusts the saturation of all image colors equally from -100 (monochrome) to +100 (double the saturation).
Step 6
Adjustment Brush - Selective Areas
Everything we have done so far has changed the whole photo. Look for parts of the photo that need something. Is an area too dark, but another area too light? Now we want to affect just one part so we need the Adjustment Brush.
One of the oldest least taught and most important things to do to a photograph is Dodging and Burning. Dodging is making the image brighter, and burning is making the image darker.
One of the oldest least taught and most important things to do to a photograph is Dodging and Burning. Dodging is making the image brighter, and burning is making the image darker.
Step 7
Before and After Comparision
Press the letter Q to see the before and after comparison
Example 6-Point System Edited Photo in Camera Raw
Exercise
Now you can put your new knowledge to the test on using the available photos on our Google Classroom page called > Camera Raw 6 Point Editing Exercise.
YOU MUST EDIT 2 PHOTOS TOTAL USING THESE 6 STEPS |
Call me over to assess your editing when your done WITH YOUR FIRST photo is still inside the Camera Raw Editor. :-)
WORK ON THE SECOND AND THEN CALL ME OVER TO LOOK AT THIS ONE.
WORTH 50 Points
WORK ON THE SECOND AND THEN CALL ME OVER TO LOOK AT THIS ONE.
WORTH 50 Points
Save your edited photos by doing the following steps:
Press the Save AS button at the bottom of the dialog window:
Press the Save AS button at the bottom of the dialog window:
Make sure to follow the 4 steps here in the Save Options dialog box
When this Save Options window closes please click the CANCEL button so no changes will be saved to the original photo.