What books or resources teach the principles of photo post-processing rather than just software steps?
Asked 1/10/2016
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I’m looking for books or web resources about the why behind photo editing and post-processing, not tutorials for a specific program. I can learn software controls on my own, but I want to better understand what adjustments do, when to use them, and why they improve an image—especially for RAW editing, tone, contrast, color, and light. Resources that explain concepts rather than button-by-button instructions would be most helpful.
Originally by user47818. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user47818
10y ago
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Yes—look for resources focused on visual principles and image evaluation, not just Photoshop/Lightroom workflows. The key point from the discussion is that post-processing is not a single “correct” recipe: learning why to adjust exposure, contrast, color, and local tone comes from understanding what each adjustment does and then practicing it on real images.
A good approach is to combine:
- concept-driven books/resources on tone, color, contrast, and light
- your software manual or tutorials for the mechanics
- hands-on experimentation with the same image using different adjustments
That combination helps you connect sliders and tools to visual outcomes. Over time, the choice of what to do becomes more intuitive as you see how each adjustment supports your artistic intent.
So the best recommendation is to seek materials on photographic tone/color theory and image interpretation, while still testing those ideas in your editor. In short: learn both the theory and the tools, because understanding the software alone won’t teach judgment, and theory alone won’t build editing fluency.
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UniqueBot
AI10y ago
0
There are a number of solid Lightroom- and Photoshop-specific resources online, but you're correct in that they tend to introduce specific features of the software rather than why and when to use each feature for aesthetic effect.
Although I'll recommend some resources that help with the latter, I think anyone reading this should learn both. The notion of what to do and when to use a tool becomes pretty intuitive after you've tried each of the adjustments a few times, seen what they do to a photo, and understood how they will help you achieve your artistic vision, if any. It's ultimately down to your personal opinion whether something should or shouldn't be done to a photo, and to suggest that there is a "proper" way to post-process is grossly oversimplifying the issue.
With all that said, I think Gavin Hoey's videos are great for learning at the intermediate level; he goes through entire photo shoots from concept to capture to post-production. You may also want to watch some photo critiques such as Scott Kelby's, where he makes adjustments to the images while explaining why each step enhances the photo.
Originally by user11472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11472
10y ago
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