By guest contributor Lexy Ward. Photography by Confetti System.
When editing photos, I always try to ask myself, “Is this pin-worthy?” Take a look at Pinterest and get an idea of what people in your industry are pinning. See what people usually pin from your site by going to this url: http://www.pinterest.com/source/YOURDOMAIN.com. Are the pins usually bright photos in a stand-alone setting? Do they have a filter giving them a vintage feel? Are they clean and simple? Whatever the look, keep it consistent. You want people to recognize your aesthetic when they see it.
Editing photos can seem like a daunting task, if you are unfamiliar with certain programs. It can also feel like a lot of work, if you are unsure of where to start. In our last post on this subject, we talked about Photoshop Elements, and how it is an affordable option to take your photos from good to great. Here are a few tips for Photoshop Elements that might prove useful:
Using layer masks to filter color in black and white photos
Layer masks are useful when you want to showcase a specific part of a photo. You can duplicate the layer, make it black and white, and then paint over it with a brush to pull out specific colors. The layer mask tool is great, if you want one particular color to POP! When using this tool, remember the saying: “Use black to conceal and white to reveal.” Painting over your subject will bring it to its original color while keeping the rest of the photo black and white. See a how-to video here.
Using Photomerge to swap subjects in two different photos
You photographed a bunch of children at a party, but not all of them are looking at the camera in every photo. You can’t redo every shot, but Photomerge can help you swap out the bad with the good. With Photomerge, you can trace the subject you want and swap it with the same subject in a different photo. This tool also comes in handy when your background is perfect, but the subject in the foreground is a little blurred. A quick maneuver with Photomerge, and you’ve got yourself a quality photo. Watch Photomerge in action here.
More helpful links
