What is photo editing -Photo Editing Process, Program & Benefits

The photo editing service domain has been undergoing a rapid transformation with the evolution of ground-breaking photo editing programs that support world-class photo retouching operations and help professional photographers and studios to address the unique needs of their clients that include professionals, individuals, and businesses in diverse industries. In this article, we have discussed about the diverse possibilities that photo editing support can bring, thereby helping professionals and businesses to make the most out of modern photo editing techniques and to create a great marketing portfolio.

Before we delve deeper into this topic, let’s start with the definition of photo editing and why you need photo editing.

What is photo editing?

Photo editing, or image editing, is the digitized process of enhancing or altering a 2D photo, usually with the help of a photo editing software. Whether one needs to correct some errors in a photo or make it a masterpiece, editing is mandatory.

The fundamental motto of any image editing is to enhance and manipulate the original version. It is also done to add further creative visual elements to the image. Photo editing has the following other terms in the graphic design industry:

• Photo post-processing
• Photo manipulation
• Photoshop services
• Image enhancement
• Photo enhancement

Why is photo editing needed?

The main purpose of photo editing is to enhance raw photos optimally so as to make them suitable for use for diverse purposes. With photo editing, you can make ordinary images appear extraordinary. Whether you need to beautify your personal pictures or you want to finetune images for your Ecommerce platform, getting your images professionally edited would help you preserve your images in the best possible way while being able to use them for professional purpose. With image editing, you can boost your business’s scope and improve its potential. For example, if you are running a food businesses or a real estate business, using refined images of your products would help you to grab the attention of your target audience. With photo editing, you can instill desired effects in your images and use them for varied purposes. From converting black-and-white images into their colored counterparts to old photo restoration to making color corrections, photo editing brings along multiple opportunities that you can use to get optimal business results.

The history of photo editing

Even though digital photography and photo editing are modern elements, the editing of photographs can be dated back to the 19th century. In the 1880s, precisely in 1846, Calvert Richard Jonas was the first recorded man in history to manipulate a photograph.

He managed to remove the fifth monk from a group of four Capuchin monks. He took the negative of the photo and painted on the silhouette of the fifth monk, who stood a few feet away from the rest. The positive print showed the painted area as a white patch.

Back then, the retouching process majorly revolved around making the changes manually on the negative. Some early photographers made the retouches on special tables made for the purpose. The negative was placed on the surface of the table in an inclined manner. It was then illuminated by a reflective substance from behind.

The early photo manipulators used to coat the negative with emulsion before the editing. The manual retouching process was done with sharp blades, also called surgeon’s scalpel. This delicate process was also called etching.

In short, only a handful of the aristocrats could afford to retouch their photographs. This was mainly due to the humongous time taken during the process. Also the cost and effort were two other reasons. As we know, the overall photography process was an arduous task back then.

Importance of photo editing

As the world became more visual-driven from the start of the 20th century, the demand for photographs skyrocketed. Journalism was at its peak, which spawned a new concept, “photo-journalism”. These significant cultural events made it clear that the visual medium is a powerful tool for reaching the masses.

The same is applicable to the contemporary digital era we live in. Regardless of the industry, visually captivating photos are the first priority. Be it eCommerce, real estate, fashion, F&B, hospitality, healthcare, apparel, manufacturing, or any other sector, high-quality images are integral.

However, often digital photos don’t turn up the way expected, and therefore, photo retouching becomes the only option. Professionally edited images not only enhance a picture, but also convey product USPs clearly to the audience.

Several expert agencies are there that offer outstanding Photoshop services. This includes old photo restoration, image manipulation, backdrop recreation, and replacement, and so much more. Hiring their high-end services can make a great difference to any new-age business.

Types of photo editing

There can be several types of photo editing based on the requirements. Some of them are:

• Portrait retouching

  

  Photo editors remove blemishes, dark spots, dust stains, wrinkles, visible birth marks, braces, flyaway hairs, and more.

• Damaged photo restoration

  

  Highly experienced image editing specialists restore water or fire damaged photos, torn or crumples images, making them new again.

• Clipping path

  

  This is mostly used for retouching eCommerce product photos. Retouchers meticulously separates the product from the background and removes the background altogether.

• Product photo retouching

  

  Editors enhance the product photos to increase their visual appeal. Some of the techniques can be reflection/shadow addition, resizing, color correction, spot removal, etc.

• Photo masking

  

  Photo masking, or image masking, is a more detailed editing process than clipping path. Editors use advanced tools and cut out an image from its background non-destructively.

• Headshot retouching

  

  This type of image enhancement includes skin smoothening, eye correction, teeth whitening, mole/pimple removal, nose fixing, red-eye removal, hair volume adjustment, etc.

• Digital image manipulation

  

  Photo or image manipulation involves extending or replacing backdrops.
  It is also used to add creative visual elements to an image making it appear larger than life.

- and more.

Each of these types has due significance and requires precise skill sets. Only an expert photo retoucher has the required competency and expertise to edit images without making them look ‘edited’. This is highly important. Editing must not be overdone, which renders a photo appear artificial and fake.

Photo editing techniques

The alteration techniques can be basic level and advanced level. The levels are usually defined per the project scope, the objective of the photos, as well as budget. Professional image editing companies have experienced editors. They can produce the best quality outcomes using a strategic mix of these techniques.

The basic level changes include:

- etc.

Advanced levels of changes can include:

- and much more.

Become expert editor with right photo editing technique

That’s all, folks! It’s time to wrap up our detailed resource on photo editing, its history, types of photo editing, image retouching techniques, and, of course, the different photo retouching and enhancement software available online.

Hope this comprehensive article could give you adequate insights into the concept. It’s over to you now. Brace yourself with the software mentioned above, and start your editing workflow.

Alternatively, if you require any professional help, consult the experts. Several professional photo editing companies are there that offer stellar Photoshop services. Reach out to such a team and enhance your brand recall, conversion, and revenue.