Hey everyone, welcome to the July episode of our Edit Explorer series! In Edit Explorer, we dive deep into submitted photo edits, offering constructive feedback and valuable tips that can enhance your photo editing workflows and techniques. If you’re a member of ON1 Plus, you can submit your edited photos along with sidecar files for review. Today, we’ve randomly selected three submissions from the community to discuss editing techniques and inject new life into these images.

Photo #1 Musician by Cafe:

Common issue: Background distractions remove attention from the subject.

Recommendation: Try using Lens Blur to blur the distractions in the background. Using the masking bug and a gradient mask, you can easily create a shallow depth of field look that will help focus the viewer’s attention into the subject.

Photo #2 Street View:

Common issue: Overcast days creating flat, dull lighting and bright skies.

Recommendation: Add in some subtle clouds using Sky Swap AI (storm is a great preset for this one). Also try using black and white with some contrast to make the textures in the scene stand out. I opted for a more creative feel by painting back some of the colors people were wearing.

Photo #3 Bird Reflection: 

Common issue: Reflection having a crooked horizon line.

Recommendation: With the crop tool, you can quickly straighten the horizon line out and make sure the image appears more natural. Another thing I like to use for reflections is the Glow filter – it’s excellent for creating a darker, silky smooth look on the water.

Photo #4 Forest Path: 

Common issue: Everything in the image is similar in tone and color and there isn’t a specific subject.

Recommendation: Use a Local Adjustment and the Masking Bug orMasking Brush to create an area of light that draws the viewer’s attention into a specific area. This will help define a “subject” and make sure the image has an interesting element to it.

Thanks to everyone that submitted their images! Submit to the next Edit Explorer here —›