How I edit my photos
I am the worst photographer. It's true. But I think most of the pictures I post here look pretty good. But it doesn't happen during the picture taking process. LOL!
Two things I learned from a professional photographer.
1. You don't need an expensive camera or expensive software to take good pictures.
2. A point and shoot will give you a better unedited picture than a digital SLR. The reason for that is that real photographers prefer "raw" type images that they can manipulate. Point and shoots do things to the picture to make them more vibrant and colorful during the actual photographing. I learned that from a big shot in New York. LOL!
This entry may be a bit longer than I usually post but you can stop after the pictures if you aren't interested in the photo editing tutorial.
Here is a card I just made today. I used my new Janome sew mini sewing machine. I am truly in love with this thing.
You don't have to know anything about sewing to make it work. All I did was thread it right out of the box and this is the stitch I got.
I colored this little cutie with Copic Markers from Box C and I used a blender pen to create the shading.
I learned a little bit more about better shading from my daughter Alicia. As you can see, it has made a difference. (She also taught me how to turn my logo into HTML code. LOL! Hey, kids are expensive, you gotta' get your money's worth, KWIM?)
This next shot is a close up picture so you can see more of the shading and stitching. When I take my photos, if there is something interesting that is better viewed up close, I try to take a close up picture. (Well, I don't actually take the picture up close, I zoom in and crop it. I will show that to you too.)
I didn't write down the Copic colors that I used for this card but I will post it in our forum on Splitcoaststampers and when I do, I will add the color numbers.
I love that light turquoise that goes around the giraffe! I've seen so many other bloggers do that too and I really think it makes the image pop.
Card details:
Stamps- Gina K. Designs, Just so Hippy by Melanie Muenchinger and Rectangle Greetings.
Ink- Brilliance Graphite- heat set
Paper- Patterned paper by Daisy D's, Solid paper- Bazzil
Brads- Queen & Company
Extras-
Extra Jumbo scalloped rectangle punch by Marvy
Stampin Up Markers in Rust and Not Quite Navy for the Rectangle
Copic Markers
Janome Sew Mini Sewing machine,
Navy Thread.
Photo editing tutorial to below
--------------------------------------------------------
Let me show you what the orginal card looked like for this blog entry. *Embarrassing*
As you can see it's too far away, a bit blurry and not very colorful. The software I use is called Microsoft Photodraw. Here is a place to get it for about $30.00 and it's downloadable so you can have it right away.
To get it to look like this, I cropped the photo. You can crop it with your own photo software. If you are using Microsoft Photodraw software, go to "Crop Size", "Crop By Shape" and then use your mouse to drag a box around the area that you want to keep and "click finish."
Next, I brightened the photo by adjusting the brightness and contrast. I used the auto button so I didn't have to figure it out myself. In photodraw, Go to "touchup", "brightness and contrast" and then click on the automatic button.
See how much different the color looks?
Then, I sharpen it so it's not blurry. Use your sharpen photo feature on your software. If you are using Photodraw, go to "touchup", "blur or sharpen" and then move the number up to no more than 10. I used 7 for this photo below on the right. On the left is the before shot:
This is the way the close up photo started.
I rotated the picture first before I cropped it to give it some interest. Here is how it looks in the program.
Then I cut it out into a rectangle like this. You will see that the area that is highlighter will be all that is left.
Here what is left when I click on the finish button.
The last step that I do is soften the edges and add my watermark. I will do a tutorial on how to add a watermark with this program. It is soooo easy, it's unbelievable. I'll do that soon, I promise!
So that's what I do to edit my photos. It really only takes me about a minute a photo and it's so worth it to provide you with brighter clearer pictures.
If you have any questions, ask them here in the comments and I will respond to each question right under your question here in the comments so you can come back and check for an answer later.
Have a wonderful evening!
Hugs,
Gina K.
Two things I learned from a professional photographer.
1. You don't need an expensive camera or expensive software to take good pictures.
2. A point and shoot will give you a better unedited picture than a digital SLR. The reason for that is that real photographers prefer "raw" type images that they can manipulate. Point and shoots do things to the picture to make them more vibrant and colorful during the actual photographing. I learned that from a big shot in New York. LOL!
This entry may be a bit longer than I usually post but you can stop after the pictures if you aren't interested in the photo editing tutorial.
Here is a card I just made today. I used my new Janome sew mini sewing machine. I am truly in love with this thing.
You don't have to know anything about sewing to make it work. All I did was thread it right out of the box and this is the stitch I got.
I colored this little cutie with Copic Markers from Box C and I used a blender pen to create the shading.
I learned a little bit more about better shading from my daughter Alicia. As you can see, it has made a difference. (She also taught me how to turn my logo into HTML code. LOL! Hey, kids are expensive, you gotta' get your money's worth, KWIM?)
This next shot is a close up picture so you can see more of the shading and stitching. When I take my photos, if there is something interesting that is better viewed up close, I try to take a close up picture. (Well, I don't actually take the picture up close, I zoom in and crop it. I will show that to you too.)
I didn't write down the Copic colors that I used for this card but I will post it in our forum on Splitcoaststampers and when I do, I will add the color numbers.
I love that light turquoise that goes around the giraffe! I've seen so many other bloggers do that too and I really think it makes the image pop.
Card details:
Stamps- Gina K. Designs, Just so Hippy by Melanie Muenchinger and Rectangle Greetings.
Ink- Brilliance Graphite- heat set
Paper- Patterned paper by Daisy D's, Solid paper- Bazzil
Brads- Queen & Company
Extras-
Extra Jumbo scalloped rectangle punch by Marvy
Stampin Up Markers in Rust and Not Quite Navy for the Rectangle
Copic Markers
Janome Sew Mini Sewing machine,
Navy Thread.
Photo editing tutorial to below
--------------------------------------------------------
Let me show you what the orginal card looked like for this blog entry. *Embarrassing*
As you can see it's too far away, a bit blurry and not very colorful. The software I use is called Microsoft Photodraw. Here is a place to get it for about $30.00 and it's downloadable so you can have it right away.
To get it to look like this, I cropped the photo. You can crop it with your own photo software. If you are using Microsoft Photodraw software, go to "Crop Size", "Crop By Shape" and then use your mouse to drag a box around the area that you want to keep and "click finish."
Next, I brightened the photo by adjusting the brightness and contrast. I used the auto button so I didn't have to figure it out myself. In photodraw, Go to "touchup", "brightness and contrast" and then click on the automatic button.
See how much different the color looks?
Then, I sharpen it so it's not blurry. Use your sharpen photo feature on your software. If you are using Photodraw, go to "touchup", "blur or sharpen" and then move the number up to no more than 10. I used 7 for this photo below on the right. On the left is the before shot:
This is the way the close up photo started.
I rotated the picture first before I cropped it to give it some interest. Here is how it looks in the program.
Then I cut it out into a rectangle like this. You will see that the area that is highlighter will be all that is left.
Here what is left when I click on the finish button.
The last step that I do is soften the edges and add my watermark. I will do a tutorial on how to add a watermark with this program. It is soooo easy, it's unbelievable. I'll do that soon, I promise!
So that's what I do to edit my photos. It really only takes me about a minute a photo and it's so worth it to provide you with brighter clearer pictures.
If you have any questions, ask them here in the comments and I will respond to each question right under your question here in the comments so you can come back and check for an answer later.
Have a wonderful evening!
Hugs,
Gina K.
Been waitin' all day for this! Thanks! I can't wait for the watermark tutorial! Do you know if your program works on a Mac?
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I'm not sure if they have a Mac version, but it will work if you have Parallels.
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Nice to share all the details with us. However I am still crossing my fingers for the Digital SLR I so desire :]
Takes you about how long to edit and correct each photo??
See maybe I can talk the hubby into 'time is money'.. I could clean better/more or something silly to get the camera faster :}
lol
I learned from Stampin
Kub's site about the watermark but again have been to lazy to create one....
Just send people there :}
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Love this tutorial, but I was wondering which kind of camera do you have? I'm in the market for a camera. Thanks for the info.
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I have two cameras. I have Cannon Digital Rebel XT and I have a Fuji Fine Pix F-20. The second one is a point and shoot and half of my entries use that one. I usually have less color and brightness editing to do when I use the point and shoot.
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Thanks!! I've been dying to get some good photo editing software, and Im so excited about your tutorial. I am wondering with this software can you make your own watermark as well?? Im so thrilled to see that there is good PES out there that won't break the bank!
Thanks again!
Tiffany
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Oops, read the coment from me below.
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I made my watermark using this program with no problems at all.
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Gina, this was a great article! I learned a lot. It's nice to know that you also have to do some tweaking to get your photos to look at nice as they do. Thanks!
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Gina this is what I have been doing with my photo's, But I have some old software that we use to crop, auto fix.
And put my watermark with.
Love the card too. It's very cute and cheerful looking.
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Thanks, you sold me on this program. You make it look so easy. Will you be showing a tutorial how you lighten the edges, or you don't want to give up all your secrets.
I am sure they sold lots of programs since you did this blog post!
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When I show the watermark, I'll show the soft edges too.
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O.K., I can't believe I'm asking this stupid questions for all the world to see, because Everyone whose Everyone reads Gina K's blog. ~ smile.
What is the difference between a Digital SLR and a Point and Shoot? I really am confused!! Otherwise, your tutorial was AWESOME. But then you make EVERYTHING look so easy.
I have a Kodak EasyShare ~ an older Z model (I think it's called), but my daughter has a Nikon Coolpix L14 7.1MP.
Thanks for your ongoing inspiration!! I LOVE your blog, and I have learned so much from my daily visits!!
Judy
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A Digital SLR, or Digital Single Lens Reflex camera works differently than a point and shoot digital camera. Most SLR's have the bigger lens and you can change out the lenses. They see the light differently. They give you the same types of freedoms as 35mm cameras. You can shut off all the automatic stuff and set everything up manually from the focus, white balance, aperture, etc... They are good for burst type of shooting when you want to click, click, click at a sports event.
They take a little bit of learning to figure them out. A class is usually a good thing. They usually start at around $800.00- $1000.00.
A point and shoot is the type of digital camera that you take out of the box and start taking pictures. Almost everything is automatic from the focus to the flash. All of the digital cameras
that sit of docking stations are point and shoot. The can range from $30.00 up to a couple of hundred dollars for more megapixels and better lenses.
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Cool photo tutorial!
I had to smile over your Janome sewing machine comment ... I completely adore mine as well!
~Tex
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Thank you so much for this tutorial!!! And next pay day I am going to buy that software and I will know how to use it. I recently starting selling my handmade items and I needed to know how to get better pictures. Now I know I just need to right software! Thanks a million times over!
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woot, giraffe Gina style!! Love the shading on the hearts! Very nice tutorial that's pretty much how I like to eidt my photos, too
off to price Jenomes!!!
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Thanks Gina, can't wait to find out about the watermark.
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Thank you so much Gina!!!!!!
I have always messed around in photoshop (of sorts) and always given up totally frustrated! Thank you for all of your wonderful tutorials.
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As usual your a fountain of information. Great tutorial. Thanks once again.
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Wow! Thank you for this tutorial. I especially appreciated that you provided pictures comparing the touched/untouched photos! This really is helpful! I can't wait to play around with my photo editing software!
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according to this http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ork2000/HA011384341033.aspx the software is included with Office 2000 or as a free down load if you have Office from Microsoft. I would be a bit leery about paying for this software when there are free sites listed in a google search. Go to the Microsoft site and check if you are already an Office user. Paying for this OEM may be a fake download that you can't activate after you have handed over your money.
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Thanks Jan
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Wow, Gina, what a GREAT post! I found this so incredibly useful and appreciate it very much! Thanks for this!
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Oh Gina, please do the watermark tutorial soon! I don't have photoshop, but I'm going to purchase the software you just recomended, and I can't wait to see a tutorial for watermarks!
Thanks for posting this.
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Gina you are awesome!! Thanks so much for the how-to, keep them coming. I can't wait for the tut. about watermarks.
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This was a great post. I loved your tutorial too. So helpful...thanks!
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Your first picture where you show the card still looks a lot sharper than the one where you show the comparison before-after sharpening in your software. What else did you do to get it so sharp?
great tutorial and I love the stitching on the card!!
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Etha,
It may be that after I cropped it and it was a close up view, it wasn't quite as sharp as it looked from a distance. I didn't do anything more to it than I described above.
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Thanks!! You do make it look easy!! And what a wonderful card!! I'll be waiting for that watermark tutorial.....of course I also have a teenager at home......I should put her to work!!!
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Gina, thank you so much for this tutorial. I have a new camera I got for Christmas and it takes fabulous pictures, but with your explanation, I'm sure I can capture greater pictures. I can't wait to receive my first set of copic markers so I can try them out.
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I use a Canon Rebel and editing it a snap for me. I just crop it (and resize it--it's huge otherwise!) in my computer's software and then adjust the color in picasa. Picasa is free and easy.
Thank you so much for the tips on cropping and editing and such! I've never used the rotate option, but wow, it's great!
I can't wait for the watermark tutorial. I've debated getting one and adding extra to what I do to upload photos.
Thanks!!
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Gina, you know what I love about your blog? I love all the step-by-step photo tutorials, your wilingness to share your knowledge, and helpful links to additional items of interest. I can't wait to learn how to make a watermark!
Thanks, Gina!
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Wow!! What a difference. The color is so vivid.
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Gina:
Thanks so much for this tutorial. All this time I thought that it was my picture taking skills and maybe it isn't. I have a new Cannon camera and I am never pleased with my pictures. When I get home I will be trying out some of your suggestions.
Looking forward to your watermark tutorial.
Great job.
Tks again
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Thank you so much for posting that info. I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one that has....well....issues with the camera. And I'm so going to use these suggestions to make my pics much better from now on!! You are "DA BOMB" Thanks!!!!!
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Thanks so much for your tutorial. I usually scan my cards--is that less desirable for submissions, etc., than a photo taken like this? Thank you!
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Yvonne,
Yes, I believe that for showcasing cards, the dimensional effect that a photograph gives provides a more eye appealing look.
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Hi Gina ... What a SUPERB Tutorial!! I never really knew it was that technical to post a photo~~then again, that is why my photos are fuzzy and your's are crisp, straight, and clear
I don't know where you get all your patience, to do ALL the set-up and photos for a tutorial.....can you pass some of it my way please!!!
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Wow Gina thanks for the great tutorial, I needed a little lesson! Super cute card also! Can't wait for the watermark tutorial!
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ADORABLE card! I love the cheery colors! I hope you are staying warm and safe--sure makes me glad it doesn't snow here!
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Thanks for the photo tips, I use some of them already, but I hadn't thought about angling the photos
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Thanks for such a wonderful piece of information! I thought I knew how to use my software but I realize now that I can do even better! TFS all these great tips
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Thank you so much for this! I can really use it! Take care!
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Great information. I just got a mac so I 'm looking for a compatible watermark program (used to be windows user). I'm looking forward to seeing your tutorial even if it's not compatible. Any information helps!
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Gina, Thanks so much for the great tutorial. My goal for this year is to start blogging, and this will definitely get me off on the right foot!
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Love the tutorial. I will be checking back for the watermark one. Thanks for sharing! Love the copics, but don't know if they are worth purchasing more markers since I own SU's.
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that was great information you passed on!!! I will have to try this with my photos!!!!!!!!!! hopefully mine will look as good as yours!! thanks so much!!
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HI Gina.
What is the differnce on your program and this:
((Jan Scholl wrote:
according to this http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ork2000/HA011384341033.aspx the software is included with Office 2000 or as a free down load if you have Office from Microsoft. I would be a bit leery about paying for this software when there are free sites listed in a google search. Go to the Microsoft site and check if you are already an Office user. Paying for this OEM may be a fake download that you can't activate after you have handed over your money.
)))))
and can you make pics smaller in this program, i mean when u add it on other pages they say its to big in pixels.
xxx nina
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Good post, but have you thought about Transfer to Photoshop on Canon Digital Photo Professional before?
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What do you do if your ona mac? I wont install parallels on my mac. I am sure adobe photoshop does this too?
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Thanks for the photo tips, I use some of them already, but I hadn't thought about angling the photos.
Emo Hair
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I think you have done a great job there and the most important thing here is that you have developed the skills with that much ease.
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