Whether it’s to correct an imperfection, adjust colors or improve brightness, photo retouching has become an essential step in obtaining professional-quality images. With Photoshop, the reference software in this field, it’s possible to carry out simple or complex retouching with ease. In this article, we reveal the key steps to retouching a photo on Photoshop, even if you’re a beginner. Follow our advice and bring your images to life!
Introduction to Photoshop and its photo editing features
Photoshop is image-editing software developed by Adobe Systems. It is used by photography, design and illustration professionals to edit and enhance high-quality images.
Photoshop offers a wide range of photo editing tools, from removing imperfections to adjusting color and brightness and improving sharpness and contrast. The software supports several image formats, such as JPEG, TIFF, PSD and RAW, allowing you to work with different file types.
Among Photoshop’s most frequently used retouching features are the spot correction tool, cloning tool, eraser tool, adjustment layers, filters, retouching brushes and transformation tools.
Thanks to these tools, Photoshop makes it possible to retouch images with great precision and achieve professional results. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur, Photoshop is an essential tool for enhancing your photos.
Importing the photo to be retouched into Photoshop
The first step to retouching a photo in Photoshop is to import the image to be retouched into the software. Here’s how to do it:
Open Photoshop and create a new document by clicking on “File” > “New”. If you want to work on an existing image, click on “File” > “Open” and select the image to be retouched.
Once the image has been opened in Photoshop, you can begin to retouch it using the software’s various tools and features.
It’s important to note that when you open an image in Photoshop, the software automatically creates a locked background layer. To be able to modify the image, you need to unlock this layer by double-clicking it in the layers palette.
It is important to note that when you open an image in Photoshop, the software automatically creates a locked background layer.
As far as image formats are concerned, Photoshop supports a wide range of formats, including JPEG, TIFF, PSD, RAW, etc. It is recommended to work with high-resolution images to ensure optimum quality after retouching.
Correcting imperfections
Correcting imperfections is an essential step in improving a photo’s quality. Here are some key steps for correcting imperfections on a photo in Photoshop:
Use the Localized Corrector tool
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This tool lets you remove spots, wrinkles or imperfections from the image using a dabbing technique. To use it, select the tool from the left-hand toolbar, then click on the area to be retouched while holding down the mouse button. Photoshop will analyze the area around the stain or imperfection, then replace it with a similar area.
Use the Cloning tool
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This tool is similar to the Localized Corrector tool, but allows you to copy part of an image and paste it in another location. To use it, select the Clone tool from the left-hand toolbar, then press the Alt key and click on the area to be copied. Next, drag the tool over the area to be retouched while holding down the mouse button.
Use the Eraser tool
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This tool is handy for removing unwanted areas in a photo. Select the Eraser tool from the left-hand toolbar, choose the appropriate eraser size for the area you wish to delete, then click and drag the tool over the area to be erased.
Once you’ve removed all the blemishes and imperfections from the image, you can move on to the next step to adjust the colors and brightness.
Adjusting colors and brightness
After correcting the image’s imperfections, it’s time to adjust the colors and brightness to give the photo a more vibrant look. Here are the steps to follow to adjust color and brightness in Photoshop:
Use adjustment layers
Adjustment layers are layers you can add to an image to modify its color, brightness, contrast and other settings. To add an adjustment layer, click on the adjustment layer icon in the layers palette at the bottom right of Photoshop’s interface, then choose the desired adjustment option, such as contour, saturation or color balance.
Use Color Balance tools
The Color Balance tools in Photoshop let you adjust the image’s colors by increasing or decreasing the amount of red, green or blue in the image. To use the tool, click on Image > Settings > Color Balance, then move the sliders to adjust the image colors.
Use the Contour tools
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The Contour tools let you modify the image’s brightness and contrast. To use this tool, click on Image > Settings > Contour, then adjust the curve to modify brightness and contrast levels.
Use Sharpness tools
Sharpening tools let you make the image sharper and more detailed. To use this tool, click on Filter > Sharpness, then choose the desired sharpness option.
Sharpening and contrast enhancement
Improving sharpness and contrast is an important step in making a photo brighter and sharper. Here are the steps to follow to improve a photo’s sharpness and contrast in Photoshop:
Use the Sharpening tool
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This tool lets you increase the image’s sharpness by accentuating the edges. To use this tool, go to Filter > Sharpness > Sharpening. Use the sliders to adjust the amount, radius and sharpness, then click OK to apply the changes.
Use adjustment layers to increase contrast
Adjustment layers can also be used to increase image contrast. Add a Contour adjustment layer, then adjust the curve to increase image contrast.
Use the Brightness/Contrast Adjustment tool
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The Brightness/Contrast Adjustment tool can also be used to increase image contrast. Go to Image > Settings > Brightness/Contrast and adjust the sliders to increase contrast.
Use the Saturation tool
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To increase image saturation and make colors more vivid, go to Image > Settings > Hue/Saturation and increase the saturation value.
By improving the image’s sharpness and contrast, you can give the photo a sharper, brighter look that will be more pleasing to the eye.
Exporting the retouched photo
Once you’ve finished retouching your photo in Photoshop, it’s time to export it for use on other media or to share with others. Here are the steps you need to follow to export your retouched photo in Photoshop:
Save your work
Before exporting your photo, be sure to save your work saving the file in PSD format (Photoshop’s native file format) by clicking on File > Save as.
Export your photo
To export your retouched photo, go to File > Export > Export as. Choose the desired file format (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, etc.). Set the export parameters to suit your needs.
Choose destination folder
Choose the destination folder where you want to save your exported photo.
Name your file
Give your file a name to differentiate it from the original file.
Click on Export
Click on the Export button to start exporting your retouched photo.
Your retouched photo is now ready to be used or shared according to your needs. Please also make sure you choose the right export settings for your image.
Your retouched photo is now ready to be used or shared as required.
Also be sure to choose the right export settings for your image.
