MODULE 8: PHOTO IMAGING AND
POST PROCESSING REVIEWER
Introduction
Photo imaging and post processing involve editing and enhancing photos using software such
as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. Post processing helps improve image quality,
adjust lighting and colors, remove unwanted objects, and create creative effects.
Photography post processing allows photographers to:
• Enhance image quality
• Correct exposure and color
• Create artistic effects
• Improve composition
• Produce professional-looking photos
Objectives of the Lesson
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Define important photography terms and explain their effects on images.
2. Perform basic photo edits while maintaining image quality.
3. Understand the workflow of post processing.
Photography
Definition of Photography
Photography is the art and science of capturing images using light and a camera. The word
photography comes from the Greek phrase meaning “Painting with Light.”
Photography is considered:
• An art because photographers express creativity, emotions, and stories.
• A science because it follows principles of physics such as light, exposure, and optics.
Historical Background
The world’s first photograph was taken in 1826 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in France using
a process called heliography.
Basic Types of Photography
1. Landscape Photography
Landscape photography focuses on nature and outdoor environments such as:
• Mountains
• Forests
• Oceans
• Rivers
• Buildings
• Parks
Its purpose is to capture the beauty of the environment.
Example
Ansel Adams is famous for landscape photography.
2. Portrait Photography
Portrait photography captures a person or animal while showing emotions, personality, or
expression.
The goal is to create an emotional connection between the subject and the viewer.
3. Documentary Photography
Documentary photography tells a real story without changing facts. It records events, people,
and situations honestly.
A good documentary photo makes viewers wonder about the story behind the image.
Exposure
Definition of Exposure
Exposure refers to how bright or dark a photo appears. It is determined by the amount of light
reaching the camera sensor.
Four Factors Affecting Exposure
1. Light
2. Shutter Speed
3. Aperture
4. ISO
Overexposed vs Underexposed
Overexposed
An overexposed image is too bright because too much light entered the camera.
Characteristics:
• Loss of details in bright areas
• Washed-out appearance
Underexposed
An underexposed image is too dark because not enough light entered the camera.
Characteristics:
• Dark shadows
• Loss of details in dark areas
The Photographic Triangle
The photographic triangle consists of:
1. Aperture
2. Shutter Speed
3. ISO
These three elements work together to create proper exposure.
Aperture
Definition
Aperture is the opening inside the camera lens that allows light to enter.
• Larger aperture = more light
• Smaller aperture = less light
Aperture is measured in f-stops such as:
• f/1.4
• f/2.8
• f/5.6
• f/11
• f/22
Aperture and Depth of Field
Depth of Field
Depth of field refers to how much of the image appears sharp and focused.
Large Aperture (Small f-number)
Example: f/1.8
Effects:
• Blurred background
• Sharp subject
• Shallow depth of field
Commonly used in portrait photography.
Small Aperture (Large f-number)
Example: f/16
Effects:
• More of the image is in focus
• Deep depth of field
Commonly used in landscape photography.
Shutter Speed
Definition
Shutter speed controls how long the camera shutter stays open to allow light into the camera.
It is measured in seconds or fractions of a second.
Examples:
• 1/1000 = very fast
• 1/250 = fast
• 1/30 = slow
• 1 second = very slow
Effects of Shutter Speed
Fast Shutter Speed
• Freezes motion
• Used in sports or action photography
• Less light enters the camera
Slow Shutter Speed
• Creates motion blur
• Used for waterfalls or night photography
• More light enters the camera
ISO
Definition
ISO measures the sensitivity of the camera sensor to light.
Common ISO Values
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
• ISO 3200
Effects of ISO
Low ISO
Example: ISO 100
Effects:
• Cleaner image
• Less noise or grain
• Best for bright environments
High ISO
Example: ISO 3200
Effects:
• Brighter image in dark places
• More noise or grain
Stops and Exposure Value (EV)
A stop refers to the doubling or halving of light entering the camera.
Examples:
• Increasing aperture by one stop doubles the light.
• Slowing shutter speed by one stop doubles the light.
• Increasing ISO by one stop doubles sensor sensitivity.
Lighting
Importance of Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important elements in photography because it affects:
• Brightness
• Mood
• Texture
• Color
• Shadows
Lighting Direction
Front Lighting
• Light comes from the front
• Easy to photograph
• Images may look flat
Top Lighting
• Light comes from above
• Creates dark shadows
• Often caused by midday sunlight
Side Lighting
• Light comes from the side
• Enhances texture and shape
• Creates dramatic shadows
Lighting Color
The color of light is measured using Kelvin (K) temperature.
Warm Colors
Examples:
• Red
• Orange
• Yellow
Effects:
• Cozy feeling
• Energetic mood
Cool Colors
Examples:
• Blue tones
Effects:
• Calm feeling
• Serious or cold mood
White Balance
Definition
White balance adjusts colors in a photo to make them appear natural under different lighting
conditions.
Common White Balance Settings
• Auto
• Sunny
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Flash
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Manual
Top Ten Tips in Taking Great Pictures
1. Get Down on Their Level
Take pictures at the subject’s eye level for more natural and emotional photos.
2. Use a Plain Background
A simple background helps the subject stand out and removes distractions.
3. Use Flash Outdoors
Outdoor flash helps brighten shadows on the face, especially under strong sunlight.
4. Move in Close
Filling the frame with the subject creates stronger and more detailed photos.
5. Take Vertical Pictures
Some subjects like people, buildings, and waterfalls look better vertically.
6. Lock the Focus
Steps:
1. Center the subject
2. Press shutter halfway
3. Reframe the image
4. Fully press shutter
This technique helps keep the subject sharp.
7. Rule of Thirds
Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid and place the subject at the intersections for better composition.
8. Know Your Flash Range
Subjects that are too far from the flash may appear dark.
9. Watch the Light
Good lighting improves image quality and mood.
• Cloudy days are good for portraits.
• Early morning and late afternoon provide soft light.
10. Be a Picture Director
Arrange subjects, add props, and try different angles to improve photos.
Post Processing
Definition
Post processing is the editing of photos after they are captured to improve appearance and
quality.
It helps:
• Enhance brightness and colors
• Remove unwanted objects
• Improve sharpness
• Create artistic effects
RAW files are preferred because they contain more image data for editing.
Stages of Post Processing
1. Fine tuning RAW files
2. Converting RAW files to JPG/PNG/TIFF
3. Editing JPG images
4. Combining images for creative effects
Post Processing Software
Popular Software
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Lightroom
• RawTherapee
• darktable
• GIMP
• UFRAW
Workflow of Post Processing
RAW File Adjustments
These are commonly adjusted first:
1. Exposure value
2. White balance
3. Hue and tone
4. Highlight and shadow recovery
5. Vibrance and saturation
6. Cropping and rotation
Adjustments for RAW or JPG
1. Noise reduction
2. Sharpening
JPG Editing
1. Red-eye removal
2. Cloning unwanted objects
3. Adding frames
4. Changing backgrounds
5. Mixing images
Important Terms to Remember
Term Meaning
Exposure Brightness or darkness of a photo
Aperture Opening of the lens controlling light
Shutter Speed Length of time the shutter stays open
ISO Camera sensor sensitivity to light
Depth of Field Area of the image that appears sharp
White Balance Adjustment of colors based on lighting
RAW File Unprocessed image file with more editing data
Noise Grainy appearance in photos
Saturation Intensity of colors
Cropping Removing unwanted outer parts of an image
Summary
Photography is both an art and a science that uses light to capture images. The quality of a
photograph depends on proper exposure, lighting, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Post
processing improves photos by correcting exposure, adjusting colors, sharpening images, and
adding creative effects. Understanding these concepts helps photographers produce
professional and visually appealing images.