Fine art photography isn't just about capturing images; it’s equally about how you shape those images afterward. This type of editing transforms your work from ordinary captures into striking, artistic visuals that truly stand out.
Coming to you from Ben Harvey Photography, this practical video breaks down exactly how to edit fine art images, step by step. Harvey offers clarity right from the start, making a critical distinction—this isn’t simply another Photoshop tutorial. Instead, it teaches you an approach, a methodical way of thinking about editing that Harvey developed over many years. He explains clearly that editing fine art images isn’t about applying quick filters or presets. Rather, it's a considered, structured process that involves specific, intentional adjustments. Harvey provides real-world examples using a photograph captured in London, highlighting his editing decisions, from initial cleanup of distractions to precise selections and gradients.
Harvey emphasizes how initial preparation can streamline your workflow. Before diving into detailed edits, he discusses removing distractions, such as reflections, dust spots, or unwanted background elements, using Photoshop’s AI-driven tools like Generative Fill. He demonstrates how effectively these tools work, simplifying once complicated tasks that used to require meticulous manual cloning. This section alone is crucial for you if you've struggled with cleanups in the past, offering practical solutions to common challenges.
A significant portion of the video centers on creating precise selections—arguably the backbone of fine art editing. Harvey doesn't skim over the details here; he takes you through the full process, recommending the use of a stylus and tablet for accuracy and comfort. He introduces the Pen Tool in Photoshop, sharing tips on working methodically to ensure your selections avoid common pitfalls, such as halos. These techniques aren't just handy—they’re essential if you want your images to hold up under scrutiny, especially when printing large-format work or displaying images prominently online.
Harvey continuously advises you to step back periodically, viewing your edits at smaller sizes or after a day’s break. His point is simple but profound: fresh eyes catch details or mistakes you might miss after hours of close-up work. Harvey shows this practice by revealing his own process openly—he often revisits images later, recognizing the fine balance between achieving strong visual impact and going too far.
Finally, Harvey offers a straightforward tip for selecting ideal practice images. Begin with modern buildings featuring sharp lines and clear distinctions rather than older, complicated structures. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Harvey.
