How to Edit Faces in a Photo

Photo editing software can help produce much better results.

Photo editing software offers a range of tools to edit digital images. Many flaws can be tackled, from red-eye to bad framing, with photo editing software. The leading applications are Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro, but there are many others, including Xara Photo & Graphic Designer, Serif PhotoPlus and ACDSee Photo Editor. There are several free applications available and a growing number of online editing tools.

Things You'll Need

• Digital photographs (or scanned images)
• Photo editing software

Instructions

1. Load an image into photo editing software, normally by clicking "File," then "Open," navigating to an image icon and clicking it.

2. Zoom into the face to be edited until it fills the screen. This way, you will be able to carry out precise editing work.

3. Choose a red-eye tool to counteract effects of flash on irises. Lessen blur by applying a sharpening effect to the face region. Paint out shadows, scratches and marks with a clone brush or retouch tool.

4. Zoom back to 1:1 and check the results of your work. Save the file if you're happy with the job, or continue editing as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• All photo editing software has slightly different tool sets.

• Have fun with family photos by adding humorous features like clown noses, animal eyes and silly hats.

• Cosmetic correction options in some software include removing blemishes, whitening teeth, fixing bloodshot eyes, adding a suntan, making thinner, removing wrinkles and smoothing skin tone.

• If you wish to retain your original image, save the file with a new name, such as an amended version of the current name; otherwise the new version will overwrite the old.

References

• PaintShop Photo Pro X3 User Guide

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• PaintShop Photo Pro X3 User Guide
• "Adobe Creative Suite 5 Design Premium Classroom in a Book"; Adobe Creative Team; 2010