Photo Editing & Post-Processing Mastery

Ever wonder why professional photos look so polished? 🎨 The secret isn't just the camera—it's the editing. But here's what most photographers don't tell you: great editing doesn't mean hours of work or expensive software. It means knowing the RIGHT adjustments to make.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll show you the essential editing techniques that professional photographers use every day. From basic adjustments to advanced workflows, you'll learn how to fix flat photos, enhance colors, and create images that truly represent what you saw.

What You'll Learn:

  • Essential editing adjustments every photo needs

  • How to fix common photo problems (too dark, flat colors, etc.)

  • Professional editing workflows that save time

  • HDR and advanced techniques

  • RAW vs JPEG and why it matters

Essential Photo Editing Posts

1. Photo Editing - What You Need To Know (And Not Worry About)

The complete beginner's guide to photo editing without the overwhelm or technical jargon. Read the full post →

2. How Can I Improve My Photo Editing Workflow? Want To Know What I Do?

Follow my professional workflow to edit photos faster and get consistent, beautiful results every time. Read the full post →

3. What Is The Difference Between RAW And JPEG Photos?

Understand the difference and why shooting RAW gives you more editing flexibility and better results. Read the full post →

4. Can You Edit RAW Photos In Lightroom?

Learn how to work with RAW files in Lightroom for maximum editing control and quality. Read the full post →

5. Is Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) The Same As HDR?

Understand HDR photography and how to combine multiple exposures for high-contrast scenes. Read the full post →

6. Do You Want To Know What's The Difference Between Bracketing And HDR?

Master bracketing and HDR techniques to handle difficult lighting situations like a pro. Read the full post →

7. How I Save Time Editing Photos - 11 Top Tips Just For You

Discover my time-saving editing techniques that get you better results in less time. Read the full post →

8. How Do I Know When I Have Finished Editing A Photo? It's Taking Forever!

Stop over-editing! Learn when to call a photo done and move on with confidence. Read the full post →

9. Photographing Buildings Simplified - How To Edit Photos Of Buildings

Learn my editing workflow specifically for architectural and building photography. Read the full post →

10. What Is Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB)?

Master AEB for capturing the full range of light in challenging scenes—the foundation of HDR. Read the full post →

📧 Free Resource

Want to improve your photography right now? Download my free guide: "11 Things You Can Do Right Now That Will Improve Your Photography" - and they don't cost you anything other than your time and effort!

Just fill in the box at the bottom of this page.

You'll also get weekly photography tips delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. How utterly splendid!

🎙️ Listen & Learn

Prefer to learn by listening? Check out these Photography Explained Podcast episodes on editing:

  • Episode 219: Why Your Photos Look Flat & How to Fix Them

  • Essential Editing Workflow

  • HDR Photography Explained

Subscribe to the Photography Explained Podcast →

📹 Watch on YouTube

See these editing techniques in action! Watch my YouTube tutorials:

Rick McEvoy Photography YouTube Channel →

Software & Tools

Free Editing Software:

  • Lightroom Mobile (free version)

  • GIMP (Photoshop alternative)

  • Darktable (RAW processor)

Paid Software I Recommend:

  • Adobe Lightroom Classic (my choice)

  • Adobe Photoshop

  • Luminar Neo

💡 Looking for specific Lightroom tutorials? Check out my Lightroom Tips Hub

Questions?

Got questions about photo editing? I answer listener questions every episode on the Photography Explained Podcast. Send me your questions!

Contact Rick →

About Rick McEvoy Professional photographer and host of the Photography Explained Podcast, where I explain photography in plain English. No jargon, just practical tips that work.