Let’s begin by understanding what photo editing means. It is a broader term that includes making adjustments and changes to enhance a picture’s quality. People use various tools to edit and alter an image to change its current state. Photo editing services can occur online, offline, done manually, or through automated software. The process involves several steps depending on the desired results.
Photo editing services offer paid and unpaid services. Some of the commonly associated terms with this process are image editing, post-processing, image manipulation, photoshopping, and photo enhancement. Often when we click a picture, the image may lose its essence due to bad lighting or exposure. Photo editing services come in handy in such events.
HISTORY
The process of photo editing was not always this rudimentary and available. Before computers were a thing, digital photo manipulation and editing were done by hand. The wet collodion technique emerged in the 1850s and was invented by Englishman Frederick Scott Archer. It employed several chemicals which only a proficient individual could use. It was lethal to experiment with them on one’s own.
The wet-plate collodion process involved numerous steps like chopping the glass or metal plate; rubbing egg-white accompanying its edges; smearing it evenly with a syrupy element called collodion; making it light-sensitive by immersing it in silver nitrate for some time; loading the wet plate carefully into a “dark slide” which is inserted into the camera; capturing the photo; then developing it, which is almost like preparing a black-and-white print. This explains why photographers of the 19th century traveled with chemistry labs in their black tents.
It was a highly tedious process, and while some images squared up, the others did not. Photo manipulators also used the process to install ghost silhouettes on pictures of deceased soldiers. A famous example would be a photo of Abraham Lincoln’s spirit behind widow Mary, placed by William H. Mumbler.
Adobe came to light in the 1980s and was quickly titled as the modern-day editing software with its numerous offerings. It allowed image editing in the best possible ways, bidding farewell to the struggles of old technology. It could also be used on computers. Fast forward to today’s date, where editing applications and services are prolific. We are driven by social media, where pictures are pivotal. Everyone yearns to achieve a perfect outlook which is gained by these services.
FEATURES ONE CAN AVAIL ON THESE SERVICES
There are several features that one can avail of while using photo editing services. These are:
1) Noise reduction: This implies smoothening the picture and eliminating the unwanted elements by dwindling pixel size.
2) White balance: Eliminates unworkable color casts so that objects which seem white in person are rendered white in the picture.
3) Contrast: A higher contrast can make the image seem vibrant, while a low contrast makes it more flattering.
4) Exposure: It allows people to take a picture as light or dark as they wish.
5) Lens correction: It helps rectify the common errors occurring due to distorted lenses.
6) Resizing and cropping: Helps in adjusting the size of an image as per requirements.
7) Background removal: Helps in deleting the background and isolating the image. Many clothing and jewelry brands make use of this feature.
8) Colour adjustments: The color can be altered contingent on the picture’s theme and objectives.
COMPLEX OPERATIONS
1) Clipping paths: Implies extracting a subject or object from a picture.
2) Portrait corrections: This feature is instrumental for correcting people’s complexions.
3) Drop and reflection shadow: Creates shadows in desired places or eliminates them.
4) Special effects: It could imply many different things such as animation or adding weather conditions like the sun or snow.
5) Adjusting text and visuals: This feature enables people to add overlays or manipulate the existing image format.
6) Photo stitching: This element allows people to stitch two photos together and create an organic look seamlessly.
THE MOST POPULAR PHOTO EDITING SERVICES
1) Adobe Photoshop is software that offers an array of editing options. It is portable with different devices and helps actualize one’s vision.
2) Sheriff affinity photos are used by professionals to bring precision to their pictures.
3) Pixlr also offers incredible editing options and is accompanied by exceeding simplicity. It is more user-friendly than Adobe.
CONCLUSION
Editing applications are taking the world by storm. If one is not acquainted with the intricate processes of editing an image, there is something for everyone nowadays. These services are designed for simplicity and to help people achieve their vision.
