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How to Edit an Image or Photo

Today's digital cameras produce images that can be printed right from the camera. There are times, however, when you will want to edit the picture, possibly adjusting the exposure or other elements to improve the image's overall appearance. There are a number of free or for-purchase photo editing programs that make this process relatively straightforward.

Instructions

- 1
  Turn on your home computer and open your photo editing program. If you do not have a program, download a free version or free trial from the Internet.
- 2
  Open the picture you want to edit. While the actual wording may differ slightly from program to program, the steps are similar. Click "File" in the navigation bar, select "Get photo" from the drop-down menu and select the picture you want to use.
- 3
  Click the tool marked "Exposure," "Brightness," "Levels" or "Curves." These are the general terms used by many photo editing programs on tools to adjust the brightness or exposure of the picture. A line or graph tool will open up. There will be a small adjustable tab in the tool. Click and hold this tab and move it from side to side. You will see the brightness of the picture change. When you get to the brightness level you want, release the tool, and the picture will be adjusted automatically.
- 4
  Click the tool marked "Color variations," "Color correction" or "Color balance." These are general terms used for tools that will adjust the color spectrum of your photo. An adjustment tool will appear that, when moved, tweaks the color spectrum. Some programs will have an adjustment tool for each color channel. Adjusting color can be a little tricky. Unless you save the picture, you will always be able to return to the original starting point if you make a mistake.

Photography