Image Editing encompasses the processes of altering images, whether they are digital photographs, traditional photochemical photographs, or illustrations. Traditional analog image editing is called ‘photo’ using tools such as an airbrush to modify photographs, or editing illustrations with any traditional art medium. Graphic software programs, which can be broadly grouped into vector images, raster images, and 3D images, are the primary tools with which the end user may manipulate, enhance, and transform images. Many image editing programs are also used to render or create art from scratch.
Basics of Image Editing
Raster images are stored in the form of a grid of picture elements, or pixels. These pixels contain the image’s color and brightness information. Graphic designers can change the pixels to enhance the image in many ways. The pixels can be changed as a group, or individually, by the sophisticated algorithms. However, vector images are stored as descriptions of lines, Bézier curves, and text instead of pixels. It is easier to rasterize a vector image than to vectorize a raster image; computer image editing programs often offer basic automatic image enhancement features that correct color hue and brightness imbalances as well as other image editing features, such as red eye removal, sharpness adjustments, zoom features and automatic cropping etc.,
Basic features of Image Editing
Selection
One of the prerequisites for many of the applications mentioned below is a method of selecting part(s) of an image, thus applying a change selectively without affecting the entire picture. Most graphics programs have several means of accomplishing this, such as:
a marquee tool a lasso tool a magic wand tool or luminance, vector-based pen tools
And as well as more advanced facilities such as edge detection, masking, alpha compositing, and color and channel-based extraction
Layers
Another feature common to many graphics applications is that of Layers., which are similar to sheets stacked on top of each other, each capable of being individually positioned, altered and blended with the layers below, without affecting any of the elements on the other layers.
Image size alteration
Images for Internet use are kept small, say 640 x 480 pixels which would equal 0.3 megapixels.
Cropping an image
Cropping creates a new image by selecting a desired rectangular portion from the image being cropped. The unwanted part of the image is discarded.
Noise reduction
Dust and scratches can be removed and an image can be de-speckled. Noise reduction merely estimates the state of the scene without the noise and is not a substitute for obtaining a “cleaner” image.
Removal of unwanted elements
Most image editors can be used to remove unwanted branches, etc., using a “clone” tool. Removing these distracting elements draws focus to the subject, improving the overall composition of the image.
Selective color change
Some image editors have color swapping abilities to selectively change the color of specific items in an image, given that the selected items are within a specific color range.
Image orientation
Image editors are capable of altering an image to be rotated in any direction and to any degree. Mirror images can be created and images can be horizontally flipped or vertically flopped.
The best and latest Photo editing software’s
Finding the right professional photo editing software can be tricky as there are so many factors to consider such as the available editing tools, the cost, and the customized interface. The latest photo editing software’s are namely Aperture by Apple, Photo Impression, Photo Lighting, Photo Studio 6, Cyber link Photo Director Ultra 6, ACDsee Photo Editor 6, Corel Photo Impact X3, Xara Photo & Graphic Designer9, Serif Photo Plus X6, Adobe Photoshop Elements12 and Corel Paint shop Prox7.
Yet Adobe Photoshop CS6 is the premier professional photo editing software on the market today! With the numerous endless number of features, Photoshop CS6 is still described as the “industry standard.” And if you can’t find a feature in Photoshop, there’s a chance that it simply doesn’t exist.
Graphic Designers / Photo Editors
A career as a photo editor usually requires previous experience as a photographer, as well as a bachelor’s degree and classes in photography, visual arts or digital media. Relevant master’s degree programs are also available for those seeking advancement opportunities with the ongoing demand of expertise and high skilled graphic designers by esteemed Image editing companies.
