Introduction
Professional image editors work to bring their clients’ vision into the real world. In the age of social media and digital photography, the clients, often brand owners or marketers, are keenly aware of the importance of presenting visually appealing and professional-looking photos. They know what reactions they want their images to evoke in the minds of the consumers, but with new techniques, user-derived trends, and fast marketing cycles, it is difficult to keep up! In this blog let’s explore what are the 6 Photo Editing Tips to Make Your Photos Look More realistic.
One such trend in recent years has been to make images look more “natural” to project an image of authenticity, and in the case of products, purity. Therefore there is a continuous struggle in the editing industry to find the balance between a natural look and professional-looking, polished images. Finding that balance is the key to creating a compelling and engaging image.
Useful tips
Based on our own experiences about what works and what doesn’t in the course of producing a million images a year, we compiled six ways to give photos a natural look. This could be a handy guide for DIYers, but it’s most useful as a checklist for editors and brands which need precise direction-giving tips to achieve the “natural” look.
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Avoid Over-Editing
One of the biggest mistakes people make when editing photos is over-editing. It can result in an unnatural and artificial-looking photo. Instead, focus on enhancing the natural beauty of the image without altering it too much. Keep in mind that the goal is to make the photo look like it was taken in its natural state, not to create a piece of digital art!
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Use Natural-Looking Presets
Using presets can be a great way to speed up your editing process and create a consistent look across your images. However, not all presets are created equal. Look for presets that mimic the look of film or natural light. These presets can give your photos a natural and unedited look while still adding a professional touch
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Embrace Imperfections
Embracing imperfections can make your photos more authentic and natural-looking. Don’t be afraid to leave in some minor flaws or mistakes that add character to the image. You can still edit the photo to enhance its overall look, but don’t try to remove every imperfection. Of course, “how much to leave in” is where the aesthetic eye and experience with the brand come in!
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Adjust Exposure and Color Balance
If the above tip was pretty right-brained, this one is as technical as they come. Adjusting the exposure and color balance can have a significant impact on the overall look of your photo. Keep in mind that natural lighting can be unpredictable, and the camera may not always capture the colors accurately. Adjusting the exposure and color balance can help to correct any issues and create a more natural-looking photo.
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Use Soft Light and Natural Shadows
Harsh lighting can make a photo look overly edited and artificial. Soft light and natural shadows can help to create a more natural and unedited look. If the photoshoot has been done in the golden hour before sunset or after sunrise, the editor’s life gets a lot easier because the lighting will already have that magical soft, warm light. However, that same flattering glow can be created artificially with modern software. This is the lighting the editor should try to achieve to get a Natural look.
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Keep it Simple
Less is often more when it comes to editing photos. Sometimes, the simplest edits can have the biggest impact. Keep it simple and focus on enhancing the natural beauty of the image.
Conclusion
To conclude, editing photos to create a natural or unedited look while still making them seem professional requires finding the right balance between the two. Following these six tips can create stunning and engaging photos that capture the raw beauty of the moment while still looking professional.
The right editing techniques can make all the difference between a successful professional edit and a waste of time. Brands both mature and new need experienced editors who keep themselves upskilled and up to date with the latest techniques and tools. If you are looking for a premier, high quality, high capacity professional editing company, consider Manipal Digital. We’ve worked with emerging and major brands all over the world. Produced tens of millions of images that have adorned marketing materials, websites, CGI and AR applications, and more. Talk to us today for a free consult!
