There are so many photography enthusiasts these days than film photography days. Although film vs digital photography is still debatable, it’s very much obvious that digital photography is aggressively trying to take over film. But a lot of old school photo hobbyists are reassuring that film is definitely here to stay. And whether you are into film or digital photography, you still need post processing at one point in time. Post processing is one of the most important aspects of digital photography; it is just as important as the photo shoot itself. And ever since I featured one of our popular post here about photography, the “10 Tutorials on How to Create Stunning HDR (High Dynamic Range) Images“, I got lots of questions and requests for information about post-processing. So I gathered some of the most popular and useful Photoshop post processing techniques around and featured them all here today. Scroll down and hopefully you find the technique you’re looking for to achieve the kind of result you really want.
1. Adobe Camera RAW for Beginners: Basic Adjustments
PhotoTuts+ has lots of post processing tutorials. I have selected and featured some from them, and to start it off we have Adobe Camera RAW’s basic adjustment tutorial. In this screencast we look at some of the basic adjustments and how they work. Some adjustments work independently while others work best when used together.
2. Quick & Flexible Photo Colour Manipulation
Another great video tutorial from PhotoTut+, in this tutorial we look at a quick, simple and very flexible way to manipulate colour within an image. We’re focusing upon two example photographs to demonstrate the effect.
3. Black and White Photoshop Conversion Techniques
And last one from PhotoTuts+. In this article we run through the most commonly used black and white conversion methods, outlining the pros and cons of each. Instructions are provided for Photoshop CS and if the technique’s available, Photoshop Elements.
4. Image Retouching: Advanced Skin Softening
In this article from photo.net’s Digital Photography Workflow Series, Jean-Sébastien offers advice on how to achieve skin softening using low and high pass filtering. The article is enhanced with illustrative figures and screen shots, and includes example images from Jean’s portfolio. Whether you are just entering the world of digital photography and need some tips and advice on how best to post-process your images, or are a seasoned pro, the insights shared here should be helpful with your own digital post-processing techniques.
5. Exposure Blending Turorial
I don’t want to feature another HDR tutorial this time, but I just can’t help not to include this one to demonstrate simple blending of multiple exposures to create stunning HDR effects.
6. Quick Selective Sharpening Technique In Photoshop CS3/CS4
A very quick tutorial on selective sharpening technique for Photoshop CS3/4. Now you can apply sharpening only where it is needed, such as eyes and hair, and leave skin textures alone. Covers use of layers, selective sharpening techniques, portrait, retouching, filters, brushes, masks, groups, photoshop.
7. Noise Reduction by Image Averaging
Image noise can compromise the level of detail in your digital or film photos, and so reducing this noise can greatly enhance your final image or print. This tutorial compares a couple common methods for noise reduction, and also introduces and demonstrates an alternative technique: averaging multiple exposures to reduce noise. Image averaging is common in high-end astrophotography, but is arguably underutilized for other types of low-light and night photography.
8. Lens Correction Filter in Photoshop
Learn lens correction filter in Photoshop to be able to repair all kinds of distortions. Not only can it remedy the bulging created by a wide-angle lens, and the weird distortion created by taking a photo too close to subject, but it can also straighten images taken at angles and make them appear as if they were shot straight on.
9. Add Dynamic Lighting to a Flat Photograph
Learn from this tutorial how to spice up a fairly dull and flat photograph. It’s very easy and fast! Go from flat photo to a uniquely lit style.
10. How to Effectively Use Contrast, Auto Levels, and Batch Processing
This tutorial will show you a way of safely using Auto Levels and a better way to adjust the contrast. All this can be built into an Action Script that can be turned into a droplet for drag and drop batch processing.
11. Quick Tip: Color Correction in Photoshop with the Curves Adjustment Tool
One of the most important and useful image correction tool we use in Photoshop is the Curves Adjustment tool, it not only helps us in creating desired contrast, but at the same time it allows us to color correct our images. This is another tutorial from PsdTuts+ that will teach you how to use this tool to color correct photos efficiently.
12. Photo Enhancing Using Dragan and David Hill Effects
Here’s a good one created by Erwin Lazaro at The Digital Photographer Philippines forum. This tutorial is a fusion of Dragan Effect using burning and dodging and Dave Hill Effect using some High Pass and Adjustment Layers.
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Digital Photography: 12 Popular Post Processing Techniques « 3191 on October 26, 2009
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Murali Kumar on November 5, 2009
WOW! cool
The Shifted Librarian » November 4th Stream on November 5, 2009
[...] Digital Photography: 12 Popular Post Processing Techniques | Graphic Design Free Resources. "I gathered some of the most popular and useful Photoshop post processing techniques around [...]
taxjobs on November 10, 2009
your site is very nice
thank you! That looks like a great resource
Beautiful! thank’s for the interesting post
Sharon on December 5, 2009
wonderful collection of resources… thanks!
philippine-retirement.com » Blog Archive » Real Estate Photography Basics: Focus, Exposure and White Balance on December 25, 2009
[...] to do some post processing to get the best image possible. You can do everything you need to do for real estate photography [...]
Andrew Pelt on January 12, 2010
This is a wonderful idea. I am sure many people will find this useful. Singapore Photography
recover deleted photos on March 10, 2010
Sweet blog! I’m hooked! You really inspire me to keep up the work on mine and my hope is that one day it reaches the same level of awesomeness as yours! Write more! I’m looking forward to your future posts!
Holley Tilmon on April 17, 2010
Hi.I am truly interested in topic.Where can I learn other text about it? Some suggestions?
Jen Pruett on April 26, 2010
This is great post, I love the photo manipulation video onw, thanks for Sharing, Jen
Squeak Photography on August 18, 2010
I was glad to have this post as, I was finding this. I use photoshop but, there are so many things that are different while, working on some pics for natural appearance and by using these features, I can better make some changes that will look good.