Photo Editing Process

Load the Files into our Public Folder

1. Load files into “Public_0910 / Photos Spring 10” folder, inside an appropriate sub-folder, suitably named to enable others to identify what it contains.
2. Using Bridge, rename the photos using our photo naming scheme.

Highlight the Best, Delete the Worst

1. Highlight the best photos in BLUE, and the second best in RED.
2. Any photos that are unusable, delete them.
3. Leave the so-so (but potentially usable) photos uncolored.

Create an Edit-and-Upload Folder

1. Create a new folder specifically for the photos that will be edited and uploaded.
2. Highlight the photos in the original folder.
3. Copy.
4. Paste into the new folder.

Edit the Images

1. Ensure that your images are large files, usually at least 500 KB or larger.
2. Open in Photoshop.
3. If desired, attempt basic color-correction using Image / Auto Color and Auto Contrast.
4. If the image still has a color cast, correct it using Image / Adjustments / Variations.
5. Adjust contrast and brightness using Image / Adjustments / Levels (or curves, if desired).
6. Crop the image in a compelling way, using the Rule of Thirds (see also these examples, and these).
7. Correct red-eye, using the color replacement tool.
8. Do any necessary or desired healing, touch-up.
9. OPTIONAL: Adjust color and tone in specific areas of image to bring out highlights, midtones, shadows, and desaturated colors.
10. Sharpen the image, using Filter / Sharpen / Unsharp mask.
    • Adjust the three sliders so that it looks best—clear and sharp on the page.
    • Amount: usually between 150 to 250%
    • Radius: usually between 1.2 to 2
    • Threshold: usually between 5 to 10
    • NOTE: You’ll get the best sense for a printed version if you have the zoom set to approximately 25%.
    • NOTE: Best zoom settings for preview are: 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%. DO NOT zoom to 33%, 67%, 133%, etc. —these do not allow you to preview how it will actually look.
11. SAVE as JPEG, optimized at JPEG High (60-80%).
12. After you have edited, using Finder, set the file color to ORANGE, to indicate that it is edited and ready to roll.
13. Proceed to uploading.