"You don't take a photograph, you make it"

A great photographer, Ted Orland*, once told me that you should always take an image as you intend to display it. This means adjusting the contrast and frame before editing. This should be every photographer's goal. But being a beginner means making a few mistakes here and there. :-) So, without further ado, let's get into the wonderful world of  
editing!

Before we get started, it is important that you have the basics. Here they are: photo editing program & a computer. Nearly all computers will have a program pre-installed for you - on PCs you are treated to Windows Live Photo Gallery. But let's get real, you aren't going to get the quality pictures you are capable of with something silly like a Windows program. There are a ton of great (and free) photo editing programs out there. Google has Picasa, a free download with all the basics plus some cool effects. This is the program I use almost exclusively. It's incredibly user-friendly and guides you through the process. But if you really want to get whimsical, you should try BeFunky, an online editing program. (More on that later...)

 There are so many AMAZING things you can do for free. But today we are just going to talk about three of those things: contrast, temperature, and cropping. 

First up, CONTRAST!

Open up Picasa (or whatever program you rock), and choose the photo you want to edit. The first options you see with likely include "Auto Contrast". You can hit that button and probably be satisfied, but to truly create a memorable picture, go to tab that includes titles like 'light', 'shadows', and 'highlights'. Mess around with the options a little bit. My favorite is hands-down shadows.

Take a look at the photo to your right. The original is washed out and kind of uninteresting. The edited version has some shadow applied to it, making the background shimmer with obsidian black. I used the highlight option to make the edges of the seeds pop. 

Take a look at your edited picture - wow. That looks fucking fantastic. Contrast is probably the simplest way to create a rich image with a lasting impression. Next, we will see how temperature can really take your photo to the next level. 

TEMPERATURE creates ambiance for your image. The colors you choose can tell a story. Take the image to the left, for example. The cool image tells the story of an unforgiving and harsh city. The warm image invites you to play in the streets and get ice cream cones from shady street vendors. The last image, which I've affectionately titled "Ow, ow! Hot" shows you how you can create that vintage feel so many people are pining for these days.

To get these looks, simply find the button that says 'color temperature', 'tint', or 'warmify'. Oh hey - did you think this would be hard? I told ya so.

Next up, CROPPING!

It seems to me, that people are only using crop these days to cut the alcohol bottles and belly fat out of pictures. That ain't cool. Cropping can make your image truly gorgeous :) The rule of thirds can usually make any boring image into a visually engaging photograph. If you aren't familiar with the rule of thirds, here is a short tutorial.

The rule of thirds is not universal. The photo of a flame is a good example on when the rule of thirds works well. It isn't a complex image with lots of background context, so it needs the extra boost. The image of the man on the right is a great example of a photo that would be fine with or without the rule. The complex collision of the glasses reflection, architecture, and the subject himself is enough to let the viewer's eyes linger.


There is no universal rule that dictates when you should use it and when you shouldn't - just use your best judgment for each individual photo.

And finally - don't forget to SAVE your images. For the love of Cheezits, please hit that tiny floppy disk you see in the corner. Otherwise you might be one sad camper :( and nobody likes a sad sack!

Being a good photographer is not a science. There are only so many bank-bleeding gadgets you can buy yourself. The most important part of being a photographer is sharing your mind with the world.

In the upcoming weeks we are going to talk more about editing your images to be unique and kick all your Facebook friends' asses, but we will also be exploring black and white photography (way cooler than it sounds) and (OMFG) Stop-motion animation. Get excited.

Until then,
Emily

*worked with Ansel Adams (drool) - an incredible and influential photographer who is known best for his landscapes of Yosemite and the Zone System.