With the ease of use and remarkable effects that digital technology offers, it is no surprise to find an ever-growing segment of photographers turning to digital cameras and photo-editing software with every passing day. While the key elements which converge to create flawless images do remain the same, digital tools do make it a lot easier to correct any blemishes that you may have overlooked when capturing the image while also letting you create marvelous effects with just a handful of tools. but when it comes to the actual process of re-touching your images, your efforts are not just limited to choosing the most appropriate editing software, but also ensuring that you do not spend unnecessary hours toiling over the most basic of functions and lose out on the more elaborate, and also more attractive, ones.

Even as you set out to rework your photographs, stop a moment to save a copy of the original image in a folder you can easily access if need be. This is because if your efforts at editing yield results that are contrary to what you set out to achieve, you can simply revert to the original you have and begin all over again. Once you open your image in your photo-editor, you will find an option which says ‘Save As’ which you need to click on to save the original and get to work on the copy you’ve created. And once you set forth, don’t restrict yourself with the fear of having to plod through the entire process if you create an effect you aren’t particularly fond of. You can eliminate the unwanted change with the ‘Undo’ option that your software will provide you with, and if you’re one of the lucky few who has the more sophisticated versions, you can even avail of the ‘Multiple Undo’ option. This remarkable feature lets you stick with only the changes you like while deleting the unwanted ones.

Your software will also offer you plenty of alternatives when it comes to working your way around the image. The most basic, and also most common, tool is the ‘Hand tool’, which is also known as the ‘Pan tool’. You can use this to move through the image, without having to worry about causing any involuntary changes. If you need to get closer for a better view, which also translates into more accuracy, you can zoom in to your image with the ‘Magnifying Glass Tool’ which, as the name suggests, is similar to function as the magnifying glass. This tool will display a ‘plus’ sign, when you are closing in on your image and a negative sign when you’re drawing out. Most editing softwares let you left click to zoom in or out of your image, while others also have the added advantage of a set increment when you right click on the specific part of the image.

If you happen to find your image appearing distorted when you zoom into it, it is only because the pixels become disparate as you draw closer, which separates them. However, this effect is easily reversed once you zoom out, which lets you work on your image at a pixel-by-pixel level and then draw out to review your progress. To save on even more time, without compromising on the quality of your editing, you can also use the ‘Eyedropper Tool’ which lets you select all the pixels of a particular color throughout the image.

Your editing software will also be enabled with what are known as ‘Marquee’ tools, which let you trace basic shapes like rectangles and circles or even ellipses around your image. You can also use the freeform tool for drawing around unsymmetrical shapes which do not fit into the rectangular or circular frames. This freeform tool lets you trace around the image by holding your mouse button down or clicking around the image to create a series of dots which will automatically connect to each other, once you click on the first dot again. And once you’re through with your selection, a flowing dotted line will appear around the highlighted portion of your image.

Having mastered these basic functions, you can then progress to more advanced features like creating effects and using enhancement tools to perfect your image. The easiest way to draw focus to the pivotal part of your image is to crop it so that the key elements are highlighted. You can even use filters in various hues to tint your image or paint strokes over it, just as you would with a physical painting using the brush and airbrush alternatives. Your software will also provide you with a diverse color palette to choose from and paint over any minor flaws or blemishes.

How easy or difficult it is for you to use your software all depends on how systematic and well-versed you are with all the options you are granted. The more creative you get the larger number of tools you use This also means that you are conversant with many more features than if you restrict yourself to the conventional stereotypes. And before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to creating one-of-a-kind works of exquisite art!