Photo Editing: 4 Basic Elements

**What is Photo Editing?** Photo editing definition includes improvising an image, if we must state it simply. But, if the box of 'improvised' is opened, it is like the rabbit hole of Alice in Wonderland -- the imagination is endless. But, just to get a clearer perspective, we will peep into the bo...

**What is Photo Editing?** Photo editing definition includes improvising an image, if we must state it simply. But, if the box of 'improvised' is opened, it is like the rabbit hole of Alice in Wonderland -- the imagination is endless. But, just to get a clearer perspective, we will peep into the box and understand today various industries need [different types of photo editing services](https://iipvapi.com/different-types-of-photo-editing-services-for-your-business). Let's understand what falls under photo editing. **4 Basic Elements of Photo Editing** We all enjoy capturing the things we care about, but what occurs when harsh lighting, brightness issues, or drab colors detract from the events we want to remember? We edit them! Thanks to all the editing software. However, there are various [types of businesses that need photo editing services](https://iipvapi.com/types-of-businesses-that-need-photo-editing-services) to ensure their visual content stands out and communicates properly their brand effect. When we talk about professional photo editing, these four basic elements fall under the criteria. **1. Cropping** When we open pictures for editing in editing software, we first check if it is required to crop. And how do we determine that? We check whether the dimensions of the image are as required. If the dimension is not constricted, we next check if the image follows the rule of thirds and the subject is in focus. If the subject is not in focus, we check if cropping can help. Why else do we crop images? When your crazy ex-partner asks you to remove them from your images. See? Cropping, at times, come in handy for personal purpose as well. **2. White Balance and Color** Whether you use [Photoshop or Illustrator](https://iipvapi.com/difference-between-adobe-photoshop-and-illustrator), in fact, any other editing tool, you would be able to adjust the color vibrancy, saturation, and white balance of the image. This is one of the main elements of photo editing that creates magic. White balance refers to the level of color that's present in the image. You can change the same by adjusting the temperature and tint of the image. Whereas, when it comes to saturation and color vibrancy, you can either adjust the color graph (wheel) or manually adjust from the editing section. **3. Exposure and Contrast** If you need to make your picture darker or brighter, you need these two keys -- exposure and contrast. Apart from white balance and color, these two elements also play a major role. If you take a photo in cloudy weather, the chances are it would require some photo editing, per se, increasing both the exposure and contrast. **4. Sharpness** Finally, photo editing also includes adjusting the sharpness of the image. If you want your pictures to look cleaner or crisp, sharpness is the tool you are looking for. Ranging from 0 -- 100, you can adjust the level of clarity you want to deploy in your image. Technically, the sharpness tool makes the edges of the objects clearer, making the image look sharper. Now that we have gauged down all the main elements that photo editing services provide let's take a quick look into picture manipulation. **What is a Photo Manipulation?** Have you ever heard the term 'surreal photography?' When you alter photos and create something new composite image out of it, one that creates the sensation of reality meeting fantasy, then that is what you call a surreal image. And you cannot do it by simple [photo editing techniques](https://iipvapi.com/guide-to-successful-photo-editing) but by photo manipulation. That does not imply, surreal images are abstract art. True, the usage of shapes and textures are used to evoke the sensation of surrealism, but it also has aspects of reality, for example, sky replacement. Not always, manipulation photography reflects fantasy but only changes element in the original image. To understand the manipulated photos, let's check out the elements of image manipulation. **4 Basic Elements of Photo Manipulation** The emergence of photo manipulation did not begin with the advent of photo editing. After cutting up and adding hundreds of things in the field of the photo editing industry began the story of photo manipulation. To understand the difference between both terms, let's take a closer look at the elements of photo manipulation. Basic image manipulation involves the following elements **1. Sky Replacement** Google [real estate photography tips](https://iipvapi.com/real-estate-photography-tips-and-mistakes), and you will always find a portion crowned for sky replacement. Sometimes, it is not possible to wait for the Sun to shine brightly as we desire. But for that, don't let your photographs go in vain. Allow sky replacement to help your images excel in terms of appeal. **2. Dust Removal** Whether it is a portrait, an image of jewellery, or any product-related image for promotional purposes, dust removal is an integral part that helps in making an image look clearer. It is a part of [digital manipulation](https://iipvapi.com/photo-manipulation-bring-your-imagination-to-reality) as it requires removing things that already exist. **3. Adding Lights** Just like how lights are required to shoot an image, it also comes in handy to give an image a surreal look. Mainly used in fashion photography, this photo manipulators are easily available in any editing software. So, if you want to use light to [create a custom illustration design](https://iipvapi.com/illustration), no software is going to disappoint you. **4. Merging One or More Images** Photo manipulation opens the door to creating digital art. When you merge one or more images to another image, it creates art. For example, the image shown above. Now that we have checked the elements of both photo editing and photo manipulation, we trust you have understood their basic differences. To be on the same track, we will briefly discuss their dissimilarities as well. **How is Photo Manipulation Different or Similar to Photo Editing?** Some can say photo manipulation should not be practiced in product images as it might hoodwink the potential buyers. However, the mind of an artist will not stand by it as photo manipulation opens multiple opportunities to create an image that looks flawless and unimaginably attractive. Art defines freedom, and so does photo manipulation. To make things concise and more relevant, we have added a few pointers for convenience. **What is the difference between photo editing and photo manipulation?** No matter what the differences are, both focus on improving an image. Let's read the differences between photo editing and photo manipulation. - **Photo editing** tries to improve the quality of the image, whereas **photo manipulation** makes changes in the image itself -- either by adding or removing elements. - **Photo editing** requires simple tools like sharpness or brightness to make a picture look more real than the real picture. In comparison, **photo manipulation** brings imagination into the image by using tools that are more complex like sky replacement or cloning. - **Photo editing** uses simple tools; hence it can be practiced by all. But **photo manipulation** requires the help of experts - it requires sound knowledge of photo editing techniques hence relied on experienced editors. Voting between photo manipulation and photo editing is completely unnecessary as both are used for the same yet different purposes with varied technicalities. Whereas, if compared between [photo editing vs photo retouching](https://iipvapi.com/photo-editing-vs-photo-retouching), then that's a different story. **How are Photo Editing and Photo Manipulation Alike?** Photo Editing and Manipulation share the same similarities with different purposes. Both processes are essential in modern digital photography. Let's understand this. - For both processes the same software are being used, i.e. Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and more. - Even though photo editing only makes changes in the color and sharpness of the image and manipulation adds new elements, both try to make the image look better. - For both processes, whether editing or manipulation, the goal is same to enhancing image and visual appeal. - For both processes, photo editing and photo manipulation, requirements are same. I.e. Color and Exposure Adjustments. **Frequently Asked Questions** **1. Which software is commonly used for image editing and manipulation?** For Photo Editing and Photo Manipulation below given software can be used. - Adobe Photoshop - Adobe Lightroom - GIMP **2. How Do Photo Editing and Photo Manipulation Differ From One Another?** There are slight differences between photo editing and photo manipulation. Photo editing enhances a photo's appearance, adjusting brightness and color contrast. Whereas image manipulation changes the content of photos, it also adds or removes objects from photo. **3. What is photo manipulation in photoshop?** Photo Manipulation in photoshop refers to the process of enhancing image using software Adobe Photoshop. Which involves combining multiple images, adding or removing elements from photo and creating a new composition. **4. What are steps to manipulate images in photoshop?** You can manipulate images in photoshop by referring to the points below. - Open Image in Adobe Photoshop. - Duplicate the background layer. - For desired look or changes of image, you can use various tools like lasso, scale, rotate, clone stamp or healing brush. - You can insert a new element which is aligning to image, or you can remove element you want. - You can modify the colors, apply filters or add effects. - For integrating elements and adjustments you can use blending modes and layer masks. - Then, finalize and save the image in desired format.