Editing photos

[norahbattie]

I know this thread should really be in the post processing but since its such a basic question I thought it best go here....

I was wondering what everyone uses to process their photos and what things they do to them to make them look like pro shots? Do you increase the contrast or vignette or.....
I have over a thousand holiday snaps of relatives that need postprocessing and normally I use photoshop but thought I would use lightroom to batch them and send them as I don't really have time to go into each individually...what would everyone do so that they look good?

 

[Kerioak]

Hi Nads
Often a little sharpening can make a picture look better but I don't batch process. Whilst it would be much faster I prefer to treat every picture I edit as an individual and look to see what that particular image needs. Maybe the white balance or a little brightening to bring out detail, or blemishes removed, these could be sensor marks, litter in a landscape or a spot on someones face.

I now use Lightroom and when necessary photoshop.

 

[R.Y.K. LEE]

Hey Nads,

I use Photoshop CS2, first I use the Threshold function to mark my white points and dark points, then on to levels or curves with the dropper tool to select the areas I have marked. This usually makes the pictures "pop" more. Then I do any cleaning up I need to do with the healing tool Followed by some noise reduction if needed. Then a masked USM layer to do some selective sharpening, I darken the corners sometimes to help the picture to draw you in on the subject That's about it really, I like my B&W too

 

[jim_j]

I use CS5, but tend to flounder my way around until I have something I like. Just about to sign up to Guy Gowan's website and download his actions to get a consistent and professional workflow. There's been a few comments on here and all are very positive.