How can you use templates to speed up your image editing workflow?

1 What are templates?

Templates are files that contain information about how to edit an image, such as exposure, contrast, saturation, color grading, sharpening, noise reduction, cropping, and more. You can create your own templates or use the ones provided by your image editing software or other sources. Templates can be applied to one or multiple images at once, depending on your needs and preferences.

2 How to create templates?

Creating templates is not difficult, but it requires some experimentation and creativity. You need to have a clear idea of what kind of look you want to achieve, and then use the tools and options available in your image editing software to adjust your image accordingly. You can use a sample image or a raw file as a base, and then save the settings as a template. You can name your template and organize it in folders or categories for easy access. You can also edit your template later if you want to make changes or improvements.

3 How to apply templates?

Applying templates is very easy and fast. You just need to select the template you want to use and apply it to your image or images. Depending on your software, you might have different ways to do this, such as drag and drop, menu options, keyboard shortcuts, or buttons. You can also preview the results before applying the template, and adjust the intensity or opacity of the effects if needed. You can also mix and match different templates to create unique combinations.

4 How to find templates?

Finding templates is not hard, either. You can use the templates that come with your image editing software, or you can download or buy templates from other sources. There are many websites, blogs, forums, and online communities that offer free or paid templates for various styles and genres of photography. You can also search for keywords or hashtags related to your niche or interest, and see what other photographers are using and sharing. You can also ask for recommendations or feedback from other users or experts.

5 How to manage templates?

Managing templates is important to keep your workflow organized and efficient. You need to have a system to store, backup, and access your templates easily. You can use folders, subfolders, labels, or tags to sort your templates by type, theme, purpose, or date. You can also use cloud services or external drives to backup your templates and sync them across different devices. You can also delete or archive the templates that you don't use or need anymore, to free up space and avoid clutter.

6 How to customize templates?

Customizing templates is optional, but it can help you add some personal touch and variety to your images. You don't have to stick to the default settings of your templates, you can modify them to suit your needs and preferences. You can change the values, colors, filters, or effects of your templates, or add or remove some elements. You can also use layers, masks, brushes, or gradients to apply the templates selectively or partially to your images. You can also create your own templates from scratch, or combine different templates to create new ones.