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Improve your travel photos with 3 basic Photoshop tools

11/8/2012

65 Comments

 
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     There are endless post-production techniques, tools and actions that can help you improve your travel photography. Scenery photography tends to be quite moldable, yet fragile at the same time - it’s extremely easy to over edit. Scenery, portrait or journalism style photography can have a very fine line when it comes to post-production, and knowing when you’ve gone too far by over editing is important.
     With these three basic tools available in Adobe’s Photoshop, you can exponentially improve your travel photos with only a few simple clicks of the mouse.

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TIP: Always pre-save a NEW file before editing with any of these tools. Do NOT risk losing your original data.

WARNING: Overusing any of these tools may result in hurting the photograph more than it may help. The overuse of the burn, dodge and sponge tools destroy pixel data and this can NOT be reversed once permanently saved.

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-Burn tool
     The Burn tool is used to darken where directed. Burn looks best when it’s lightly used to darken objects that take the viewer’s eye away from where you wish their focus to be. The first thing that draws the viewer’s eye is usually the brightest part of a photograph and with the Burn tool, you can control what the viewer focuses upon first. Darkening the edges of a photograph with a vignette can add power and pull the viewer’s focus into the image.

TIP: If you have a photo with a blown out white or grey sky, you can improve the image by changing Burn’s setting Range to Highlights. Then swipe across the sky until you are satisfied with the effect. Then, take the paint brush tool and change the Mode setting to Color and swipe along the newly burned edge with a realistic blue color.
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-Dodge tool
     In a way, the Dodge tool does the exact opposite of Burn. Dodge lightens the parts of the photograph that you wish were either more noticeable to the viewer’s eye or can be used to counteract any objects that have been darkened by overshadowing or underexposure.

TIP: If you are having trouble lightening a very dark object and have yet to achieve data loss, you can change the Mode setting to Shadows. Now, Dodge will have a much more dramatic effect on the darker areas of that area.
WARNING: Overuse of the dodge tool can cause discolorations and data loss, resulting in unwanted noise.
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-Sponge tool
     It’s true that all photographs need some sharpening and coloring adjustments. With the Sponge tool, you have the ability to saturate and desaturate certain objects within your photograph. The Sponge tool can help you catch the viewer’s attention and mold the mood of a scene.
     For example, if you have a scene with nice green grass in front of a dreary office building, you can further the effect by using the Saturate setting under Mode to bring out the green colors, as well as Desaturate to lessen the colors of the building.

TIP: Choose one or two color aspects of a scene to saturate. Don’t overuse, it’s very easy for the Sponge tool to make a scene look over edited and/or fake.
WARNING: If you go too far with the Saturate or Desaturate modes, you will begin to lose data and the loss is irreversible.
(Photos by Brandon Elijah Scott © / Eye & Pen)
65 Comments
Josie link
11/8/2012 07:44:48 am

Hi Brandon,
Thanks for the tips -- and the easy-to-follow directions. Little by little, maybe I'll be a better photographer one day!
~Josie

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Opzionibinarieitaly link
9/12/2013 09:42:58 pm

I couldn't agree more... Brandon's tips are awesome!

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:47:29 pm

You are most welcome. I hope that you can put this into action! :) I am sure you are a great photographer already.

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Nikka | Two2Travel link
11/8/2012 08:56:20 am

Great tips, Brandon! Haven't tried the sponge tool yet for the purpose you discussed, but will try how it goes. I always used Vibrance instead for the colors.

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Opzionibinarieitaly.com link
9/12/2013 09:44:28 pm

You definitely should try the sponge tool... what are you waiting for?? ;)

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:48:48 pm

Thank you. :) Let me know how that goes for you. I am curious. :)

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Samuel Jeffery link
11/8/2012 04:22:30 pm

These are some great tools to consider using. I've never tried the sponge before. It's definitely something I can see myself using on my next trip in the NY.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:49:46 pm

When you try it, please let me know how your pictures turn out. :)

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Roving Jay link
11/9/2012 06:58:57 am

Photoshop is great... but it can also get a little overwhelming, so it's good to have little reminders like these to add to your photo tool kit... thanks for sharing....

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:50:56 pm

Photoshop is great software. There are so many unique things that you can do to make your photos turn out amazing.

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Tony James Slater link
11/13/2012 08:56:29 am

Wow, great tips! I'm a complete noob to Photoshop, yet find myself trying to use it more and more. So much of it is such a mystery! Have you ever thought about writing a guide - or even a series of short guides, about it? Like a 'best tips for photoshopping landscapes' and 'best tips for PS'ing portraits' etc? Seeing as how you seem to know what's going on in there, I mean!

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7/19/2013 05:55:45 pm

Hello, an amazing article dude. Thanks But Were issues in your rss . Dont know why Unable to subscribe to it. Could there be others having similar RSS trouble? Anybody nobody can assist please reply. Thnx!

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Brandon Scott link
7/20/2013 02:02:32 am

Hey mate, I'm not sure what the issues are that you're having, but try copying the RSS link into whichever viewer you use, instead of clicking it directly in your browser.

Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:52:45 pm

Photoshop is great! :) There are so many tutorials out there to help as well. If you are interested in learning more I encourage you to give some of them a look. :)

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12/25/2012 03:05:38 pm

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:55:33 pm

Thank you very much. Your words of encouragement mean a lot to me.

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2/27/2013 06:04:03 pm

I am interested in this topic and would like to find out some more information as my friend need information on this topic. Do you have any other articles about this?

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 04:09:23 pm

Since this post, I have written a few other articles on the topic. There are also free tutorials that can be looked up through a search engine. :) I hope this information helps you out on your journey.

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2/27/2013 10:47:51 pm

This is a terrific article, and I would like more information if you have any. I am fascinated with this topic and your post has been one of the best I have read.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 04:10:14 pm

Thank you very much. I hope that this information helps you if learning the art is something that you would like to achieve.

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3/6/2013 03:42:29 pm

I have been assigned to do a report for our school newspaper on this subject, and your post has been beneficial. Can you please add more reference to this topic, thanks.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 04:11:17 pm

I am very sorry that I just now had the time to comment back. :/ I hope that your school report went well.

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Bianca link
3/8/2013 10:14:27 am

Hi Brandon,

Thanks for the easy to understand guide to photoshop. I’m trying to teach myself how to use it and move beyond the ‘guided’ settings.
Bianca

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 04:12:41 pm

You are most welcome. I hope that this information can be used in your life. Learning Photoshop is very fun. Warning: It can become addictive. Haha.

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4/17/2013 05:56:30 pm

taking photos wherever I go is my passion. I like to take the pictures of nature and just enjoy its beauty . I like the pictures you have taken and along with the pic you have added up the Photoshop edition.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 09:54:37 pm

Thank you. Have you attempted the sponge method? What do you think about it? :)

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4/17/2013 11:26:17 pm

I was also motivated by his tale on how he handled to get to the top despite all the possibilities. Hopefully, one day, I can also encounter the same achievements he had as I'm also attaining difficult for it, with plenty of determination and trust, I know I can create it at some point.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 04:08:08 pm

Determination is key. I am sure that you will do wonderful at creating brilliant masterpieces. :)

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5/8/2013 05:37:48 pm

Great blog ...Thanks for your great information, the contents are quiet interesting.I will be waiting for your next post.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 09:52:35 pm

Thank you! I means a lot to me that you stopped by and took the time to comment. Do you do much with Photoshop? What is your favorite aspect about the software?

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6/7/2013 12:52:26 am

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 09:55:54 pm

Thank you very much. I love to see familiar names around the blog. :) I look forward to seeing you around.

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6/13/2013 10:21:11 pm

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 09:56:46 pm

Thank you. :) It means a lot to me that you took the time to comment.

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6/19/2013 05:45:32 pm

"Scenery photography tends to be quite moldable, yet fragile at the same time - it’s extremely easy to over edit. Scenery, portrait or journalism style photography can have a very fine line when it comes to post-production, and knowing when you’ve gone too far by over editing is important."

- now of course i do agree with you. I am also using photoshop and I have no worries about it.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 09:57:58 pm

Scenery photography is my favorite type of photographs to take, (if you can't tell, haha). What is your favorite aspect of Photoshop?

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7/8/2013 06:21:32 am

oh yeah I know because i am also loving to travel and do take photos,

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 09:59:21 pm

Traveling is amazing! :) Where all have you traveled to? What is your favorite destination?

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7/24/2013 02:42:29 am

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 10:00:41 pm

Thank you. :) Are you a fan of Photoshop?

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8/7/2013 04:43:49 pm

Thanks for your tutorial. I will try to edit some photos in my collection in the summer of last year.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 10:01:38 pm

You are most welcome. How did the editing of your photos go?

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9/22/2013 11:58:50 pm

Excellent information, where we go, we have to bring something back that will remind us of those times, hopefully good times.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 10:02:32 pm

Where all have you guys traveled? I love hearing others stories as well.

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9/27/2013 02:01:35 am

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 10:03:36 pm

You are most welcome. I hope that you can find a lot of this information useful to you in regards to your travels. :)

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10/7/2013 12:18:16 pm

I was very encouraged to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this special read. I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 10:04:59 pm

You are most welcome. Do you use Photoshop much? What is your favorite part about the software?

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Aw, this was a really great post. In theory I'd like to write like this also - taking time and real effort to make a good article... but what can I say... I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.

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Haha. Procrastination can get you into trouble. I myself have been known to procrastinate and it usually causes me some issues. :)

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