Image Editing software

Photo editing software helps the photographers of any level of skill to make changes to digital photographs – it has a range of functions to improve photographic images. Some software is free and some included with the camera, but the more complex tools (such as deleting a person from a photograph or merge images) are usually only provided with more sophisticated software.  The functions include:

Automatic Corrections

This is a function that most software has and is easy and quick for the uninitiated, however, the results are mixed as the software does not always produce the image we think we want.  There are also specific tools such as –

Red Eye correction

Such a very common problem and all of us have seen the strange red eyes on photographs cause by the flash lighting the red back of the eye and not the black pupil. This removal tool enables the user to select the area to change and then changes the colour to a more natural one. Most digital cameras do has a red eye reduction flash mode.

Brightness and contrast adjustment

Image software will help problems with dullness. Lack of contrast, peculiar colour balance and level of saturation. the brightness and contrast adjustment will help to lift darkness and brighten the overall picture.

Cropping

Perhaps the most useful tool for the beginner photographer, this toll enables part of the picture to be removed – perhaps to delete too much curtain above the person’s head, or cluttered or messy background to be erased so enabling a focus on friends, family or pets!

Editing RAW images

All digital cameras actually record the images in a JPEG format, that is, they have .jpg file extension and are compatible with computers and photediting software. But some top of the range more expensive cameras like Digital SLRs can also be set to take images in RAW format – which is often the preferred mode of professional photographers. A RAW file is comparable to the latent image contained in an exposed yet undeveloped piece of film. It can be called a digital negative and as unprocessed image lacks correct colours, contrast etc, but it can be fully manipulated and developed, and, by a professional, the final image will be superior to the JPEG. This is because the RAW images actually include more fine detail in bright and dark portions of the negative. The sun and clouds in a JPEG sunset photo are nowhere near what was seen by the naked eye, but the RAW image is capable of being processed to enhance this contrast. The real downside. Apart from the expertise needed to deal with RAW images is that the RAW files are pretty large. There are a number of RAW software packages such as

  • C1 RAW workflow software
  • Breeze Browser
  • Bibble
  • SilverFast DC pro
  • Sharp Raw  -

RAW files are for the specialist who may want to come back time and again to change and develop a special image as techniques and styles change.

Most people will use JPEG technology as the files are small and fit on a card, the images are more easily transmitted online and wirelessly and more photographers do not have the time or even the expertise to process their own files.