Photo Edit Fundamentals for Mobile
Tags: Editing, Photography, Mobile, Photo Editing, Education

Photography is a wonderful pursuit. But some aspiring photographers have their hopes and dreams shattered when they realize that just taking a picture is not enough. Your photos have to be edited as well! And you don’t always have your PC with you!

DUN DUN DUUN

But don’t despair. The situation is not as desperate as it may seem. This guide will show you how to get the most out of your picture with just your phone. And you can get some more insight into this topic in this Skillshare course, with a special 2-month free trial. As you’ll soon see, there’s more to mobile than meets the eye.

Step 1: Download a photo-editing application 📲

Before you start editing your photos, you first need something to edit with. Most modern phones have a built-in photo editor in their proprietary app. And though this can be good enough for the most basic tweaks, it’s not going to cut it for anyone really serious about their photography career.

You are likely to find something you like in the many free editing applications alone, available on the Google Play Store and iPhone App Store. We actually recommend you browse around and experiment to find something that fits your style. But if you don’t feel like doing that, our top picks are:

Snapseed

PicsArt

VSCO

Instagram (yes, really)

Adobe Photoshop Express

Step 2: Open the photo-editing app 👉📱

Duh.

Step 3: Take a picture or select a photo 📸

Most apps give you the option to either take a new picture (look for the button with the camera on it) or choose one from your photo library (Look for a plus “+” icon). You should see the photo in the center of the screen with options and icons at the top and/or bottom of the screen.

Step 4: Choose a filter 🖌️

Every app is different, but many have a variety of “filters” or “lenses” to choose from, which essentially do all of the editing for you. Look for tabs or icons at the bottom or top of the photo preview to see what adjustments you can make with the app you’re using.

Most photo editing apps display filters as tiny thumbnail previews at the bottom of the screen. Tap a thumbnail image to see a preview of how it will affect your image. Look for slider bars or an icon with slider bars that you can use to adjust the intensity of the filter.

Step 5: Adjust the exposure ☀️

In photography, exposure refers to the amount of light that falls on a photo. If the photo is too dark, then you might need to increase the exposure. If you want the photo darker, then lower the exposure.

Step 6: Adjust the saturation 🌈

Some apps allow you to adjust the saturation, or intensity of colour, in a photo. Increasing the saturation of a photo can make the colours pop and make the photo more eye-catching. Too much saturation, though, can make the photo look harsh and almost cartoon-like.

Step 7: Crop the photo ✂️

Cropping a photo is a good way to add more focus on the subject in the image by cutting out some of the background in the image. The crop tool usually has an icon that resembles two right angles forming a square. To crop an image select the crop tool and then drag the corners of the image inward so that the light part of the image is centered around the subject in the image. Then tap the icon that confirms the changes you made.

❔ In many apps, the crop tool displays two horizontal and two vertical lines that divide the image into thirds. You can use these lines as a composition guide. Align the subject or other elements of a photo with the lines or where they intersect. In photography, this is called The Rule of Thirds.

Step 8: Experiment with additional filters and effects 🧪

Every app is different, so if it is your first time using one, you might want to go through and check out all the different options for how to edit the photo.

❗ Some photo filters may not be free to use. If a photo has a lock icon on it, or a dollar sign, you probably need to pay to get access to the filter.

And that’s the gist of it. Just these 8 simple steps are enough to take your photo editing game above and beyond the level of an average Instagram user. Though if you’re the ambitious sort, you can become a god-tier mobile photo editor with the help of this Skillshare course, with the special bonus of 2 months free.

Now get out there and experiment with your new-found skills! If you’re still feeling thirsty for more practical knowledge for skills in the digital space, check out our Medium profile for various tutorials and guides. Next up, we’ll be tackling editing photos on PC, so stay tuned. And if you enjoyed this guide, leave us a clap or two.