Photographers often strive to enhance their images, but excessive editing can push photos into the realm of the artificial. According to Cleveland-based photographer and meteorologist Alex Cooke, the key to effective post-processing lies in subtlety and restraint. Overzealous use of editing tools can lead to what Cooke describes as the “Uncanny Valley” effect, where images look almost real but feel unsettling. Here are five common mistakes that can detract from the authenticity of photos, along with strategies for correcting them.
1. Avoiding Clarity Abuse
One prevalent issue in landscape and travel photography is overusing the clarity slider. This tool increases local contrast, enhancing differences between tones. While moderate adjustments can add depth, setting clarity to overly high levels—like +50 or beyond—creates unnatural halos around subjects. These artifacts distract viewers and can give the impression of an overprocessed image.
To achieve a natural look, Cooke recommends keeping clarity adjustments to around +15. If more detail is needed, photographers should instead use tools designed for specific adjustments, like the shadows slider for revealing detail in darker areas. A final check at 100% zoom can help ensure that edges appear smooth and natural.
2. Retaining Skin Texture in Portraits
Modern retouching tools can effectively remove blemishes and smooth skin, but using them without caution can lead to unnaturally smooth results. Cooke notes that when these tools are applied indiscriminately, the subject can end up with a plastic-like appearance, devoid of natural texture.
To maintain realism, it is essential to focus on individual imperfections rather than applying a blanket smoothing effect. This method may take longer but preserves the skin’s natural qualities. If using AI smoothing tools, Cooke advises adjusting the opacity to between 30% and 40%, ensuring that some texture remains visible.
3. Brightening Eyes and Teeth Wisely
Brightening techniques can go awry, particularly in portraits. Overuse of the dodge tool on eyes can create an eerie glow, while teeth can appear unnaturally white when brightness settings are cranked up too high. Cooke highlights that human teeth are not pure white but have slight yellow tones.
To fix this, photographers should selectively brighten the iris while leaving the sclera untouched. For teeth, a modest reduction in yellow saturation, coupled with a slight brightness increase, can yield a more natural appearance.
4. Ensuring Logical Sky Replacements
Sky replacement has become increasingly accessible with advanced editing software. However, many edits fail due to a mismatch in lighting between the new sky and the foreground. For example, a bright sunset sky may not work if the ground is lit with harsh midday light.
Cooke suggests that photographers think like lighting technicians when considering sky replacements. They should ensure that the quality and direction of light in the foreground matches the newly added sky. If the light does not align, adjustments to the foreground may be necessary to create a believable composition.
5. Addressing Neon Foliage Effects
Over-saturation is a common mistake that results in unnatural-looking foliage. Cooke explains that digital sensors often exaggerate greens and yellows, and boosting saturation can make them appear fluorescent.
To achieve a more organic look, Cooke recommends slight desaturation of green and yellow channels while shifting their hues toward orange or gold. This technique enriches the colors without creating an artificial glow.
The overarching theme in these editing pitfalls is the visibility of the editing itself. When processing is done well, it should enhance the photograph without drawing attention to the editing tools used. Cooke emphasizes that the best compliment for photographers is when viewers are drawn into the moment captured rather than commenting on the editing.
By adopting a more restrained approach to post-processing, photographers can create images that resonate with authenticity and emotional impact.