Tips and Tricks: Photo Editing for Blogs

Hey there people and Happy Thursday to you! I hope all is well in your little corner of the universe today.

Now, as promised, here are my (newly found) tips and tricks for photo editing large quantities of photographs quickly. The way I see it, we all want to have lovely photos on our blogs (and indeed stores) but we don't necessarily have the time to spend hours editing them and making them. Here's how to make this process simpler and quicker.

First of all, we need to talk size.

Now, I would always recommend having your camera (whether it's a point and shoot or something more fancy) set to a medium to high pixels rate when you initially take your photos. That way you always have really high-res super images at your fingertips. When I have been out taking photos I immediately put my photos into a folder on my computer with an appropriate name. For example, my photos from Ireland go into a folder called "Ireland" on my computer. If you back up your photos each time you take a new set then it isn't so much of a chore.

Inside this folder of my original photos I make a new folder called "fb" (short for Facebook!). This is where I put my smaller versions of the pictures I have taken. Once the pictures have been resized they are much easier to upload and they then don't take an age to open when someone clicks onto my blog from a slightly slower internet connection area. So, here's what I do to resize them and what I use.

I would recommend using a FREE download software package called PixResizer. It is a small and efficient program which really helps to make this process as painless as possible. Here's the step by step for resizing your images:

Open up Pixresizer once you have installed it. It should look like this. Choose your size to work with - I usually opt for 75% (or 600x450 pixels) and jpeg as my file type.

 If you want to edit just one picture at a time click on the "work with one file" tab in the top left hand corner. 

 Then click "load picture" and choose your picture to work with.

Then you will need to click "save picture". When you do a window will pop up and ask you where you want to save your smaller file. If you choose to store it in the same folder it came from it will automatically rename it for you so you won't lose your original. 

If you want to edit a whole folder of pictures, click on the "work with multiple files" tab in the top left hand corner. 

Click the "source" button and choose your folder of pictures. 

Then click on the "destination" button and choose your destination folder for your files (the folder I always name "fb"). Click "save pictures" and let it do it's magic!

Now, that wasn't too hard was it? I thought not. Now, you may be happy with just that. Smaller pictures = a faster load rate for your readers and that's all good. However, if you'd like to enhance your photos using Photoshop then read on my friend!

Let's talk image clarity.

I recently enhanced every single picture on my stores. In just one weekend. This is what I used to do it.

First I went to this lovely photography site. Here the nice man explains all about actions and how to use them, how to make your own and lists a whole truck load of free actions that you can download. He even shows you how to install them in Photoshop. I told you he was a nice man!

This photoshop action set is the one I use the most. More specifically the quick fix option.

Here's the step by step:

Open up Photoshop and go to file, automate and batch.

Choose your actions in the top two boxes of the little pop up window. I chose "actions by rocketlaunch" and "quick fix". This is your easy peasy photo brightener and clarity action!

Choose a source folder by clicking on "choose" and browsing until you find the right folder.

Next choose a "destination" folder - I always name these ones "ps" and they sit inside my "fb" folders as you can see. This way I know my photo is small and bright! Click "OK" in the pop up window once you have chosen your destination folder.

Now, this isn't quite as maintenance-free as the pixresizer was. Basically you have to hit enter every few seconds. It is fun to watch the magical actions going on in front of your eyes though. Very cool! I clicked enter whilst reading books on my android from my lovely rooster tribe subscription. Before too long all of my photos were brighter and lighter.

The Proof of the Pudding

Now, the proof is in the pudding here I guess. Let me show you some before and after shots. Hopefully you will see the kind of difference this little action can make to your piccies!

A much lighter and brighter Dubai Mall. 

County Clare in glorious technicolour. 

My wonderful onesies look so much lighter and brighter, don't ya think?

I really hope this has proved helpful to people who may have Photoshop but aren't sure how to get the best out of it (with minimal knowledge) and for those who may be considering purchasing it. It's a powerful programme. Don't forget to download some free actions if you do have Photoshop!

Pixresizer is totally FREE however, so go ahead and bag yourself that little baby guilt free! And, if you can't quite stretch to Photoshop why not try out PicMonkey? You can lighten and brighten there too and for FREE!

Have a great day people!

ps. Don't forget to come back and link up all things Etsy tomorrow - stores too!