Editing is a crucial skill for photographers, but it can also be challenging to keep up with the latest trends, tools, and techniques. How do you update your editing skills and stay creative and competitive in the digital age? Here are some tips to help you improve your editing skills and enhance your photography.
One of the best ways to update your editing skills is to learn from the professionals who have mastered the art of editing. You can find many online courses, tutorials, workshops, and podcasts that cover various aspects of editing, such as color grading, retouching, compositing, and more. You can also follow your favorite photographers on social media and see how they edit their images, what software they use, and what tips they share. Learning from the pros can inspire you, expose you to new styles and methods, and help you avoid common mistakes.
Once I read this in "Steal like an artist": "Artist are not hoarders. We need to learn from the stuff that speaks to us, not just everything and anything. And when you've collected enough things that speak to you artistically - it makes you YOU as an artist."
It's so important to remember there are so many ways to get to the final result you are looking for when editing a photograph or video. Ultimately it's what works best for you (and client). I personally will go back to artists who inspire me and remind me what I want to see in my own work and do research from there to sharpen my skills.
In my experience learning is lifelong. There are many ways to learn. They are online, offline, and hybrid. I have used and currently use several different tools to edit. I am constantly learning new methods/styles to edit. The software for editing is constantly updating. You have to continue to learn to keep up.
Photography, video and film all require different skills. But what they all have in common is the editing is part of the process therfore part of the art process Know what you are looking for before hand. Like having a good eye. Than know what that means to you. Second the software. Mastering software can be time consuming so pick softwares systems you like and if possible stay with a few as possible, nothing is more frustrating than spending more time on learning new software than one spends actually making images or the final art. The better one understands one's own process the better the outcome.
With technology advancing at record paces, you need to keep your skills fresh by playing with new tools. AI is going to change everything, put many photographers out of work. Currently, I am adding things like Midjourney to my existing workflow. I find im still needing photoshop to correct errors or drop in product images, but next month everything could change! Get used to looking at this as skill that constantly needs to be updated with the tech industry and their advancements.
Another way to update your editing skills is to experiment with different software and plugins that can expand your creative possibilities. You may be used to editing with one program, such as Photoshop or Lightroom, but there are many other options that can offer you different features, functions, and effects. For example, you can try Affinity Photo, Capture One, Luminar, or ON1 Photo RAW for photo editing, or After Effects, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Filmora for video editing. You can also explore various plugins that can enhance your editing workflow, such as Nik Collection, Topaz Labs, Skylum, or DxO.
There is so much software out the now touting "AI" but a lot of it will make your images look fake. I would find out from a photographer you admire what they are using to make images you like and try that. You can never go wrong with Photoshop and add ons. I use to think Lightroom was the best and then tried Capture One, which blows LR out of the water.
From what I’ve experienced, leveraging different software (Lightroom, Photoshop, Luminar, etc.) together can help create a unique image that expresses your creativity. Photography, in my opinion, isn’t about perfecting a picture. It’s about telling a story and adding your personal touch.
The photographer Greg Girard is known for stating that he finds it problematic that a digital file has no inherent characteristics and that you have to introduce them. However, just as others have said using AI can alter the image greatly, and in some cases enhance the image but also it can ruin the authenticity of what has been photographed. If you can recall the great travel photographer, Steve McCurry and the emergence of "doctoring" his images, he had a team performing the task, so to use Chinese whispers as an analogy, we can see that incorrect instruction can lead to the image downfall. Steve McCurry is a great photographer, and he has sold many of his books worldwide. Fundamentally, we have to think about ethics, when editing.
A third way to update your editing skills is to practice with different genres and types of photography that may require different editing approaches. For example, if you usually shoot landscapes, you can try editing portraits, wildlife, or street photography. Or if you usually shoot in color, you can try editing in black and white, or vice versa. Practicing with different genres can help you develop your versatility, adaptability, and artistic vision. It can also challenge you to use different tools, techniques, and effects that suit the mood, message, and style of each genre.
In the past we had different types of film with different characters that we use to made the final appearance more what you want. These days just the flip of a button and you can change the mood of the image so easy.
A fourth way to update your editing skills is to join online communities where you can interact with other photographers, share your work, get feedback, and learn from others. You can find many online platforms, forums, groups, and blogs that are dedicated to photography and editing, such as Reddit, Flickr, 500px, or Photocrowd. You can also join online challenges, contests, or projects that can motivate you, test your skills, and expose you to new ideas and perspectives. Joining online communities can help you network, collaborate, and grow as a photographer and editor.
Find others who create and befriend them. Hop on a call with them just to talk shop. You may get your next idea just from a simple conversation. Competitors should be friends not foes. The market has so much space for us all to create. Do NOT be discouraged because someone has a larger contract or budget. Your day will come if you keep pushing.
A fifth way to update your editing skills is to review your own work and evaluate your progress, strengths, and weaknesses. You can look back at your previous images and see how your editing style and skills have changed over time, what you have learned, and what you can improve. You can also compare your images with the original ones and see how your editing choices have affected the final result. Reviewing your own work can help you identify your personal style, preferences, and goals, as well as areas where you need more practice, training, or inspiration.
Apart from reviewing your own work, you can get feedback from your peers or mentors as well. Like they say, when we are editing our written work - we tend to read what we are thinking- that’s where a new perspective will be really helpful.
A sixth way to update your editing skills is to keep an open mind and be willing to learn new things, try new things, and make mistakes. Editing is a creative process that can always be improved, refined, and updated. You should not be afraid to experiment, explore, and express yourself with your editing. You should also be open to feedback, criticism, and suggestions from others who can help you grow and improve. Keeping an open mind can help you discover new possibilities, overcome challenges, and enjoy editing as a fun and rewarding skill.
Edit. Re-edit. Sleep on it and come back. Sometimes you've been staring at the project too long. You need to step away and have a cup of coffee or go for a walk. Taking a break can be the biggest breakthrough to new discoveries.
I find it very helpful to be in the right mood to edit photos. I almost never even open them the day I take them. I also allow myself the grace to outsource if I find I am not meeting my own expeditions as an editor - growing a network of trusted individuals to help edit, or edit for you can be a time and stress saver. Utilizing as many online courses and resources on editing as you can get your hands on and lastly not being afraid to utilize some of the amazing new tools out there such as AI and other “auto generated”products.