How to Edit a Photograph

GIMP photo editing software interface

There are different computer software programs you can use to edit photographs. Popular and versatile graphics software programs available include Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and GIMP. These photograph editing programs have similar tools that function in similar ways. You can use them to edit your photographs to print, send to your favorite photo lab, email, publish on the web or store on your computer's hard drive. Using photo editing software, you can also repair problems with your pictures.

Instructions

1. 

   Open the photograph in the photo editing software of your choice. If you're using Paint Shop Pro, click the "Browse" button, which looks like a file cabinet to browse the images on your hard drive. If you're using a different photo editing software program, click "Open" from the "File" menu.

2. 

   Increase the brightness and contrast of the photograph, even if it doesn't seem underexposed. If you wish to print your photo, increase the brightness to a slightly higher level, as photos may print darker than they appear on the computer screen. Preview the edits in the image, if possible.

3. 

   Change the hue, saturation and lightness as necessary. Most photographs need some increase in saturation. However, the hue should be edited only if the entire picture is clearly the wrong color. For example, don't use the hue tools in photo editing software to remove yellowness. Instead, select "Yellow" in the software's saturation tool and reduce its saturation. Also, see if your photo editing software has tools to edit the color temperature of your picture.

4. Resize the picture if you plan to send it by email or publish it on a website. The longest dimension should be no more than 600 pixels. Save the image file as a .jpg or .gif image file. If you plan to print your picture, you may need to change the print size to a ratio such as 4 by 6, 5 by 7 or 8 by 10 inches. Change the larger dimension to the larger number of inches, then crop the image to obtain the shorter dimension.

5. 

   Use the clone tool to edit out any damage, imperfections or unwanted objects from the photograph. Click on the area within the photograph that you want to use as your source for the copy. Then click and hold the mouse button as you drag it across the area you wish to remove. The source and destination areas for the clone tool should be similar or identical in color, brightness and texture. Zoom in and reduce the brush size to edit very fine details. Use the clone tool carefully. Save often, but use the "Undo" feature if the clone doesn't look the way you want it.

6. 

   Use your photo editing software's crop tool to improve the composition of the photo. Click and drag with the tool to create a square or rectangular selection within the image. Then click and drag the small boxes on the edges of the crop box to frame the picture exactly the way you want it. In Paint Shop Pro, click the blue check mark to crop the image. In GIMP and Photoshop, double click within the square or rectangle selection to complete the crop.

Tips & Warnings

• You must scan photographic prints into the computer if you don't already have a digital copy. How you take your photographs before you edit them on your computer can have a significant impact on the finished picture. Always take lots of pictures when you're out shooting, especially if you have a digital camera. Also, take some pictures with the flash and some without to see which ones turn out best. If your photograph is underexposed, you may be able to fix it. However, if your photograph is overexposed, it can't be repaired properly in image editing software. Retake the picture instead of trying to fix it. Avoid using Windows Paint to edit your photographs. It doesn't have the advanced tools you need to edit them effectively.

Resources

• Download Paint Shop Pro
• Download Photoshop
• Download GIMP