Identifying Photo Problems
You can't learn to fix photo problems until you understand what they are.
#1 - Too dark
The subject of your photo should be bright. Even if there is brightness in the background of your photo (like a bright light), your photo will be graded as too dark if the subject is too dark. To avoid this problem, make sure the light source is in front of your subject, shining onto their face. You can also slow your shutter speed to let in more light.
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
#2 - Too bright
This problem is not as common, but you don't want your subject to be so bright that it looks unnatural. When your photo is too bright, some of the detail disappears. To avoid this problem, take a photo in a more shaded area, or increase your camera shutter speed.
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
#3 - Too warm
"Warm" refers to the color temperature of the photo. If the photo has a yellow, orange, or reddish tint, we say that it is "warm." If your photo is too tinted, the colors start to look unnatural. To tell if your photo is too warm, look at something in the photo that is supposed to be white. Is it pure white? To avoid this problem, you can try different white balance settings on your camera (they have names like cloudy, shade, tungsten, daylight, etc.)
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
#4 - Too cool
"Cool" refers to the color temperature of the photo. If the photo has a blue, green, or purple tint, we say that it is "cool." If your photo is too tinted, the colors start to look unnatural. To tell if your photo is too cool, look at something in the photo that is supposed to be white. Is it pure white? To avoid this problem, you can try different white balance settings on your camera (they have names like cloudy, shade, tungsten, daylight, etc.)
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
#5 - Out of focus/Blurry
The subject of your photo should be clear and sharp. To avoid blurry or out-of focus pictures, hold your camera very still when taking a photo (you might even try using a tripod!). Be sure to have your camera set to "auto-focus" (AF) setting, because manually focusing a lens is difficult. Use the "action" or "sports" preset mode to capture fast-moving subjects.
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
#6 - Too low contrast
"Contrast" refers to the difference between the darkest and lightest parts of your photo. If there is not enough contrast, photos tend to look dull or washed-out. To avoid this problem, make sure the camera lens is clean & don't use the flash.
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
[This problem is usually created when you take a photo].
#7 - Too high contrast
Be careful not to increase the contrast too much, or it will look unnatural. High contrast looks like areas of extremely dark black next to extremely light white.
[This problem is usually created when you edit a photo].
[This problem is usually created when you edit a photo].
#8 - Oversaturated
"Saturation" refers to how intense and vibrant the colors are. This is also a problem that occurs when you are editing your photos: if you increase the saturation too much, you will create unnatural colors.
[This problem is usually created when you edit a photo].
[This problem is usually created when you edit a photo].
#9 - Undersaturated
If you desaturate the colors too much, they will look faded and dull. This is not good for the website or the yearbook.
[This problem is usually created when you edit a photo].
[This problem is usually created when you edit a photo].
#10 - Disproportional
Do not stretch or squish photos in a way that alters the original shape of the photo! This creates unnatural body shapes.
[This problem is usually created when you edit a photo].
[This problem is usually created when you edit a photo].
want some good examples?
The best photos for the newspaper and yearbook are sharp, bright, and natural looking.
Soon, it will be easy to transform your photos!