How do you edit your photos

[400dabuser]

When in the RAW editor of PSE6, for some strange reasons I keep whacking up the contrast to 100%, and I just think that is just poor editing on my behalf.

Can anyone suggest some tips on trying to avoid that? I know it is about the composition of the photos to try avoiding as much editing as possible, but it is my editing on the computer, I think, that is really letting me down

[tzalman]

The right amount of contrast is the amount that looks good to you. You're the boss. The only exception might be if the increased contrast has caused whites without details and blocked-up black shadows, but hey, some people dig that too.

[PhotosGuy]

Can anyone suggest some tips on trying to avoid that? Start by getting the exposure right. I gave you some info a while ago. The right amount of contrast is the amount that looks good to you. You're the boss. Assuming that you've calibrated your system, monitor, & browser. Then you'll be seeing the same thing that we do.

And, looking at he threads that you've started, I think you need to type less & take more images & post them here? ;)

And when you ask a question like this one, posting a "problem image" would help us to see your possible problem.

[gjl711]

... Assuming that you've calibrated your system, monitor, & browser. Then you'll be seeing the same thing that we do. .... Boy I can't second this strong enough. Monitors can be all over the place and what looks good one one might look like crap on another. it is well worth the time and effort to calibrate your monitor.

[dustyporch]

Calibrating is important.... If you start with a consistent base, then you get better looking photos.

I really liked Scott Kelby's 7-Point System (http://www.amazon.com/Kelbys-7-Point-System-Photoshop-Voices/dp/0321501926/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237388696&sr=8-1) even though it is specifically for Photoshop. The book is great (imo) because he lays out his workflow for making photos look their best, and then does real examples of the steps (22 examples...). It helped me a ton.

[Mark1]

If you are having to up the contrast to 100, it simply is a poor exposure. Step back a bit and work on getting it right in camera first. That said, what are you shooting? How much contrast does the subject have? Is it gray on gray, then you want to add contrast to show detail? We can help better if we can see the problem.

[400dabuser]

If you are having to up the contrast to 100, it simply is a poor exposure. Step back a bit and work on getting it right in camera first. That said, what are you shooting? How much contrast does the subject have? Is it gray on gray, then you want to add contrast to show detail? We can help better if we can see the problem.


Most of the photos on my flickr site, albeit, not the mobile ones, of course

[400dabuser]

And, looking at he threads that you've started, I think you need to type less & take more images & post them here? ;)




Most of the photos I have taken and whacked up the contrast are on my flickr, but I think they are lacking the finesse of a professional look

[sancho1983]

Boy I can't second this strong enough. Monitors can be all over the place and what looks good one one might look like crap on another. it is well worth the time and effort to calibrate your monitor.

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but what's a good way to calibrate a monitor? Can't seem to find much apart from that thing that you stick onto your monitor (spyder?), is there something free that you can do it with?

[400dabuser]

Yeah, those spyders are really tad expensive as well

[dustyporch]

Just a note... When you edit a Canon RAW file in Adobe's RAW editor, the photos always look flat and poorly saturated by default. Adobe doesn't follow the in-camera settings, so you are kind of starting from scratch, and you have to up the contrast and saturation. If you try using Canon's DPP, you might find the photos look a bit better to start with.

[400dabuser]

Ok, will try that instead

[number six]

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but what's a good way to calibrate a monitor? Can't seem to find much apart from that thing that you stick onto your monitor (spyder?), is there something free that you can do it with?

There are two parts of monitor calibration: brightness/contrast and color balance.

You can adjust brightness/contrast with this chart:

350475


On a CRT monitor you should be able to see all 26 bars. You might not be able to do that on a laptop screen.

-js

[sancho1983]

I can see all 26 of those on my laptop, is it as simple as that?

[number six]

I can see all 26 of those on my laptop, is it as simple as that?

Yep. Your contrast and brightness are good.

-js

[sancho1983]

cool, will have a look on my desktop sometime too

[PhotosGuy]

cool, will have a look on my desktop sometime too Don't forget your browser:
Firefox (3.0.4) + add ons (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=602787)