TOP 10 EDITING TIPS
1 KNOW YOUR FOCUS
Before you actively edit an image, be clear about which features of the animal you want to focus on, so that you can bring those out.
2 CROP CLOSELY
Make sure to optimise the position of your animal in the frame. Consider basic rules, such as the golden ratio, to guide the viewer’s gaze.
3 BASIC ADJUSTMENTS
Correct the exposure, and boost the contrast by using Curves to bring out details and enhance the overall impression of the shot.
4 CORRECT COLOURS
Use adjustment layers to adjust the global colour temperature in line with your visual goals. This way, you can enhance atmospheres and bring colours to life.
5 ADJUST CLARITY
Work with local brush adjustments or dodge and burn tools to enhance the clarity of specific elements. These techniques are especially useful for highlighting eyes and fur. 6 FOCUS ON THE BACKGROUND When photographing in a studio, your background colour is always dominant, so use HSL colour tweaks to alter and optimise these shades.
7 ADD AN EFFECT
Small effects, such as adding a vignette, can improve the appearance of central elements. Try out some settings to pull the viewer in and make the animal stand out more.
8 OPTIMISE WITH RETOUCHING
Focus on the face, and retouch any loose hair or drops of drool. When outdoors, pay attention to the background, and eliminate distractions such as a dog’s leash.
9 TARGET SHARPENING
Avoid over-sharpening, and focus on the essential features you want to highlight. Sharpening the eyes and elements of the fur is effective.
10Think EXPORT RIGHT
about where you want to publish your work, as platforms have different requirements. Adjust the image ratio and optimise the image quality to achieve the best outcome for a particular print or web outlet.