How to Make a Good Picture Better

There are times when we take a picture that is good, but we know and realize that it could be better. Follow these easy steps to make any good picture better.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Digital Picture
• A Picture Editing Program (i.e. Adobe Photo Shop or Picasa2)

1. CROP - Take the image that you’re working with and crop the image so that the focal point stands out more or better than it did originally. For more on cropping see my article "How to Crop a Picture".

2. BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST - With the adjustment tool in your program adjust the brightness and contrast of the photograph. Often times a touch of contrast goes along way. You will find that the colors will become richer. Play with the brightness/contrast setting until you arrive at the desired look.

3. COLOR SATURATION - Adjust the color saturation of the picture. What this does is it brings out the colors and makes them brighter. This step you must be careful with because it is possible to go over board. Just remember "a little dab will do you."

Tips & Warnings

• If these steps are new to you then it will take time and practice to get the techniques down. Once you get it you will be able to make any good picture better.
• Remember to save the edited file as a different name than the original, so you will always be able to go back and edit it again or start over. It's much easier to start with the original than to start with something that has been edited and save in place of the original.

[drgeoff]

on 8/10/2009 good article. Actually I started by looking at your Bible article. Liked it too.

[amberdawn]

on 11/1/2008 Nice ideas :)

To be honest, I used to think this was "cheating." Making the photo look unreal. But then I realized that cameras end up changing the contrast and color slightly anyway, so it's never exactly like how it looked in person. Good article, 5*

[inpulse-ive]

on 7/3/2008 Good tips! I actually do all of these things - they help!!