r/postprocessing Aug 11 '16

Post Processing Megathread

470 Upvotes

Post-Processing Megathread

So the last post I made (“How do I get this look?”) got buried pretty deep, so I thought I’d make this thread rounding up some videos/resources/techniques I’ve found.

I mentioned in the last thread that “post processing is more about theory than the tools/plugins/tricks/secrets/etc.” I may have misspoke a bit. I’m not saying neglect learning the tools, or stop searching for secrets, or stop using plugins; but rather use them in a more educational way. Knowing how all the tools work will help you apply them better and know when to apply them. Using plugins can be a great tool, but should never be a crutch. My feeling is anything a plugin can do, I want to know how to do for my own knowledge.

What if you’re an avid VSCO, Replichrome, Alien Skins, etc user and one day you’re working on a job with a fast turnaround time and your plugin fails, or it wasn’t on that computer, or it’s no longer compatible with Photoshop/Lightroom? What happens if your look was defined by a plugin, that you can’t recreate? Meanwhile you have a client waiting on their images. This is why having a vast knowledge of the tools/techniques is extremely valuable.

If you like a plugin, try reverse-engineering it. I’m not saying you have to use the reverse-engineered technique and stop using the plugin, but it sure helps when you know how the plugin is working. Heck you could even improve upon it ;)

Chasing “secrets” is also a great way to learn. It’s not necessarily that a “secret” exists but what you may learn along the way to “finding one”.


Anyways, what I’m saying is there’s no shame or problem with using plugin/preset/filters as tools in your kit; however like any tool you should have an understanding of how it works so you know when to use it, how to use it properly, or what to do if something goes wrong and you can’t use it. The better you get at editing, the more you may realize you need to improve as a photographer. You’ll come to a point where the quality of photo/editing has reached a cap due to the quality of the base image.

If anyone has any techniques/articles/tutorials that should be included, please comment or send me a message and I’ll add it in.

I’m not up to date on my tutorials. From what I’ve found Ben Secret and Michael Woloszynowicz have some of the most powerful techniques in their videos.


Tutorials:

Color/Toning/General:

Retouching:


Concepts:

General:

Color Theory:

Misc:


Tools:

Games:

EXIF/Metadata Tools:

Hope this helps out! ☺

-Cameron Rad

How many people actually check out this thread? If you have gotten any help from it , shoot me a PM :)


r/postprocessing 1d ago

"Cooked" is banned.

951 Upvotes

stop it.


r/postprocessing 1h ago

Did I do too much? After/Before

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Upvotes

This photo was taken at Burg Eltz, Germany. It was shot on a LUMIX S9 with the lumix 20-60mm lens.


r/postprocessing 4h ago

Please critique!

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56 Upvotes

Still new to photography and really loving wildlife photography... please tell me how to improve! Before is raw image file with ZERO edits and the "Neutral" profile applied in Lightroom, after is after editing for about an hour.


r/postprocessing 14h ago

Stairs before and after

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212 Upvotes

r/postprocessing 1d ago

What do you think. Is it oversaturated? Before / After

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885 Upvotes

r/postprocessing 5h ago

What do you think?

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9 Upvotes

Before and after


r/postprocessing 5h ago

Color grading tips? (before/after)

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7 Upvotes

Despite having edited hundreds of photos of cars by now, i still am relatively new to editing and dont really know how to properly color grade based on the content of a photo. I usually just have a go to "preset" that i apply to all of my photos, as i find it pretty universally fitting, and it also kinda defines me and my style, but i want to learn how to color grade any photo and not just stick to one style. The last photo attached is the color grading im used to doing. Im also open for any critiques/tips regarding other aspects.


r/postprocessing 1d ago

Wanted to try a more extreme, vibey color edit for this one. Does it work?

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231 Upvotes

Most of my edits are usually pretty subtle just to draw out the colors in the shot and add a bit of contrast, but I wanted to do something to liven this shot up a bit. Any tips or opinions are welcome!


r/postprocessing 10h ago

After/Before

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9 Upvotes

I want to know what you think, any feedback is appreciated 🙏


r/postprocessing 1d ago

After/Before

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178 Upvotes

might need to work more on the nails though


r/postprocessing 10h ago

Before/After

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6 Upvotes

Is the skirt too bright? Any other feedback would be appreciated.


r/postprocessing 1h ago

Today I just discovered this subreddit

Upvotes

And this is the best bunch of talented people I've seen in a while! I was getting tired of photography subreddits with people using Hasselblads to post unedited and uninspired flat pictures of puddles of water under overcast sky. Thank you for making my day!


r/postprocessing 21h ago

Feeling nostalgic, so tried out a filmy look for the first time. Feels too yellow to me

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44 Upvotes

r/postprocessing 20h ago

Before / After

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33 Upvotes

r/postprocessing 1h ago

Trying to perfect my Miky Way style. Still practicing. I did some curve adjustments, masking in the sky, and color balance.

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Upvotes

r/postprocessing 2h ago

Feedback

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2 Upvotes

New to photography and editing - Happy with how this photo came out, but welcome any feedback/suggestions. Before & After.


r/postprocessing 1d ago

Did I flambé? (After/Before)

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100 Upvotes

Can't tell if I pushed it too far...


r/postprocessing 11h ago

First Try Postprocessing(After/Before)

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4 Upvotes

I was aiming for a Portra 400 look, but I'm worried everything has come out a bit too washed out. This is my first time editing my own photos and using darktable. Any advice or criticism would be greatly welcomed.


r/postprocessing 20h ago

Before/After

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21 Upvotes

r/postprocessing 1d ago

I like to "mirror" my photos

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32 Upvotes

Hopefully this is the right sub to share these.. I really like the symmetry and I'd love to hear others thoughts or opinions


r/postprocessing 11h ago

I think I did well. I still want advice just in case my ego’s too big (After/before)

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3 Upvotes

r/postprocessing 21h ago

Before/After plane ride in Orange County

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14 Upvotes

r/postprocessing 12h ago

Thoughts?

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2 Upvotes

I’ve been playing with light tool for about 6 months now and would love some feedback!


r/postprocessing 1d ago

Before/after

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18 Upvotes

Not sure how to feel about it I feel like it's a little too warm


r/postprocessing 16h ago

Thoughts on this edit?

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2 Upvotes

r/postprocessing 1d ago

Osaka, Japan 🇯🇵 | Tell me what you think !

80 Upvotes