Most landscape images take a fair amount of editing to produce a finished result, and with all that post-processing, you often run the risk of going a bit too far. If that is something you sometimes struggle with, this excellent video tutorial discusses six signs that you have overedited a landscape image so you can fix them before you export your photo.
Coming to you from Mark Denney, this great video tutorial details six signs that you have gone too far with your post-processing of your landscape photos. No doubt, post-processing is a crucial part of landscape photography, both in terms of producing a polished image and developing your personal style, and refining your technique is important. Even after a long time working in the genre, it is easy to go overboard; one thing that helps is to step away from your computer for a minute or so before you export your image, then return to it with a fresh set of eyes, as this will help you evaluate your work more objectively. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Denney.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out "Photographing The World 1: Landscape Photography and Post-Processing with Elia Locardi," which is currently on sale for 30% off.
Somewhat ironic since I feel all the photos displayed on Fstoppers are wildly over edited.
All of the photos? Every single one? If I hear someone use "all" or "every" I get a little skeptical.
Very true. I'll fix it. 99%
I feel quite comfortable saying ALL the images in the Fstoppers gallery right now are so over edited and heavily processed they look artificial. All.
Radial filter on the sun with lowered texture and dehaze to help keep that "glow" is a good one! Otherwise, I can sum most of it up in three words: less is more.
The best advise of the video was the "walk away, come back later and see if you still like it" although that takes time you might not have in you production flow.
One thing from audio engineering that seems to apply for dialing in effects for, and editing digital images as well: Dial it in until you notice whatever it is that you are adjusting and then back off 40 to 50% towards where it was before you started adjusting it. And you'll at least be in the ballpark of where you should be.
Then decide if it is better, or just different
For me it takes about 3 days to really 'see' my photo.
Surely over edited is a subjective thing. Everyone will have their own idea about what looks good and what does not. I have been accused of over editing my photos many times but I don't care because as long as I am happy with my final image, then that is all that matters to me.