10 Tips for Photo Editing with Canva Editor
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 8 min read

Contents

  1. Choose the right template
  2. Use Canva tools for photo enhancement
  3. Adjust brightness and contrast
  4. Remove backgrounds with ease
  5. Experiment with color grading
  6. Add text and overlays
  7. Use Canva elements for added flair
  8. Crop and resize for different platforms
  9. Save and export your edited photo
  10. Explore advanced Canva features

Ever wondered if there was an easier way to edit your photos without needing a degree in graphic design? Well, there is! You can explore editing with Canva Photo Editor, a user-friendly tool that transforms your photos into visual masterpieces with just a few clicks. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, Canva offers a range of features to help you create stunning images. Let's dive into our top 10 tips to make the most of this fantastic tool.

Choose the right template

The first step in your editing journey with Canva Photo Editor is to choose the right template. Just like picking the perfect outfit for an event, choosing the right template can set the mood for your final image. Canva offers a wide variety of templates designed for different purposes — from social media posts to business presentations, and everything in between. Here's how you can pick the best one for your needs:

  • Consider the purpose: Are you creating a Facebook post, an Instagram story, or a business presentation? Canva has different templates optimized for each platform.
  • Keep your audience in mind: The template should resonate with your audience. If you're targeting young adults, you might want to go for something trendy and vibrant. If your audience is professionals, a more formal and clean template might work better.
  • Match your style: Each template comes with a unique style and color scheme. Choose one that matches your brand or personal style.
  • Explore Canva's library: Canva has a vast library of templates. Don't rush into choosing the first one you see. Take your time to explore and find the one that fits your needs perfectly.

Remember, the right template is like a solid foundation — it can make your photo editing process smoother and your final image more appealing. So, take your time, explore editing with Canva Photo Editor, and choose the one that best fits your needs.

Use Canva tools for photo enhancement

Once you've selected your template, it's time to enhance your photo. Canva provides an array of editing tools that allow you to adjust your photo to perfection, even if you're not a professional photographer. Let's explore these tools:

  • Filter: These are like the seasonings to your photo's dish. Just a little sprinkle can change the whole flavor. Canva offers a variety of filters that can make your photo look vintage, dreamy, vibrant, or anything in between.
  • Adjust: This tool lets you control various aspects of your photo like brightness, contrast, saturation, and more. It's like having a mini photo studio at your fingertips.
  • Crop: Sometimes, less is more. The crop tool allows you to focus on the essential parts of your photo and remove the rest. It's like having a pair of virtual scissors.
  • Flip and Rotate: These tools can change the perspective of your photo, giving it a unique twist. It's like viewing your photo through a new lens.

These are just a few of the tools Canva provides to enhance your photos. The key is to experiment and explore editing with Canva Photo Editor until you find what works best for your image. Always remember, there's no 'one size fits all' when it comes to photo editing. What matters is that your photo communicates your message effectively and looks great doing it.

Adjust brightness and contrast

Now that you've explored the basic editing tools with Canva Photo Editor, let's focus on two vital aspects of photo editing—brightness and contrast. Here's a simple guide to get you started:

  • Brightness: This determines how light or dark your image appears. To adjust this, select your image, click on the 'Adjust' tool, and then move the 'Brightness' slider. Increasing the brightness makes your image lighter; decreasing it makes your image darker. Simple, right?
  • Contrast: This is all about the difference between the lightest and darkest parts of your image. Increasing contrast makes light areas lighter and dark areas darker, creating a more dramatic effect. Decreasing contrast, on the other hand, gives your image a more subtle and softer look.

Playing with brightness and contrast can significantly improve the quality of your photo. It's like adjusting the volume and tone on a music player. With the right balance, your photo can strike the perfect chord with your audience. So go ahead, explore editing with Canva Photo Editor, and see how adjusting brightness and contrast can transform your photos!

Remove backgrounds with ease

One more feature you'll love when you explore editing with Canva Photo Editor is the ability to remove backgrounds. This feature is a game changer, especially when you want to highlight a particular subject in your photo. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Select the photo from which you'd like to remove the background.
  2. Click on the 'Effects' tab from the menu bar.
  3. Choose the 'Background Remover' option.
  4. Wait a few seconds as Canva works its magic on your photo.

Voila! Your background is gone. Now, you can place your subject on a different background, or even a solid color to make it pop. This tool is particularly handy for product photos or when you want to create a collage. So, the next time you're working on a photo, remember this trick and see how it can transform your photo editing game!

Experiment with color grading

Did you know that color can significantly impact the mood and tone of your photo? That's why when you explore editing with Canva Photo Editor, it's worth taking some time to play around with color grading.

Color grading allows you to adjust the colors in your image to achieve a specific look or mood. You can make your photo look vintage, vibrant, cool, or warm—the possibilities are endless! Here's a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started:

  1. Select the photo you want to edit.
  2. Click on the 'Filter' tab from the menu bar.
  3. Try out different filters until you find one that suits your style.
  4. Click on the 'Adjust' tab to further tweak the colors, saturation, and temperature.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different looks, even the ones that might seem a bit unconventional. Remember, the goal is to enhance your photo in a way that tells your story. So go ahead, give color grading a shot and see how it can bring your photos to life!

Add text and overlays

Another great way to level up your photo editing skills in Canva is by adding text and overlays. This not only can help you convey a message but also adds a personal touch to your photos. Let's see how you can do this:

  1. First, select the photo you want to edit.
  2. Click on the 'Text' button from the menu bar on the left.
  3. Choose from a variety of pre-designed text styles or create your own.

But what about overlays? Overlays are graphic elements that you can add to your photo. They can be shapes, lines, icons, or even other photos. To add an overlay:

  1. Click on the 'Elements' button from the menu bar.
  2. Explore the vast library of overlay options Canva offers.
  3. Drag and drop the overlay onto your photo.
  4. Adjust its size, rotation, and position as needed.

With text and overlays, you can turn a simple photo into an engaging graphic. So, why not give it a try? You might just find that this is your new favorite way to explore editing with Canva Photo Editor!

Use Canva elements for added flair

Have you ever looked at a photo and thought it needed a little something extra? That's where Canva elements come in. These are small design pieces that can add that extra flair to your photos. They range from shapes and lines to stickers and frames—a true treasure trove of design possibilities!

Here's how you can add these elements to your photos:

  1. Click on the 'Elements' option on the left sidebar of your Canva workspace.
  2. Browse through the categories or use the search bar if you have something specific in mind.
  3. Click on your chosen element, or drag and drop it onto your photo.
  4. Resize, recolor, or move the element as you see fit.

Now, your photos won't just tell a story—they'll show it. So go ahead, explore editing with Canva Photo Editor and let your photos shine with flair!

Crop and resize for different platforms

Every social media platform has its own ideal image size. Ever tried to upload a perfect profile picture only to have it cropped weirdly? That's because you didn't resize it to the platform's specific dimensions. But don't fret, because with Canva Photo Editor, you can resize and crop your photos to fit any platform perfectly.

Let's take a look at how you do it:

  1. Open your image in Canva Photo Editor.
  2. Click on the 'Resize' tool at the top of your screen.
  3. Enter the dimensions you need or choose from the preset sizes.
  4. If cropping is needed, select the 'Crop' tool and adjust as necessary.
  5. Click 'Apply' and voila! Your photo is ready for its social media debut.

So, next time you're exploring editing with Canva Photo Editor, remember: resizing and cropping are your secret weapons for perfect social media posts. Happy editing!

Save and export your edited photo

Now that you've spent time creating the perfect image, it's time to save and export your masterpiece. After exploring editing with Canva Photo Editor, you'll find that saving and exporting your work is just as simple and intuitive as the editing process itself.

Follow these steps and your edited photo will be ready to share with the world:

  1. Once you're satisfied with your edits, click on the 'Download' button at the top right corner of your screen.
  2. Select your preferred file type from the dropdown menu. Canva supports JPEG, PNG, and PDF formats.
  3. Click 'Download' again and your image will be saved to your device.

Remember, it's always a good idea to save your work in Canva as well. This allows you to come back and make edits later if needed. Just click on the 'File' menu and select 'Save'.

So, the next time you're diving into photo editing with Canva Photo Editor, don’t forget this step. Your hard work deserves to be shared!

Explore advanced Canva features

Once you've mastered the basics and are comfortable editing with Canva Photo Editor, it's time to step up your game and dive into the advanced features. These tools can take your creations from good to great in no time.

Here are some of the advanced features you can explore:

  1. Brand Kit: This is a great tool if you're looking to maintain consistency in your designs. You can save your brand colors, fonts, and logos for easy access and use in your future projects.
  2. Animations: Bring your designs to life by adding animated text or elements. It's a fun way to make your photos more engaging and exciting.
  3. Content Planner: If you're managing multiple social media platforms, this tool can be a lifesaver. Schedule your posts ahead of time and let Canva handle the rest.
  4. Team Collaboration: Working on a project with others? Canva allows you to collaborate in real-time with your team, making the design process smooth and efficient.

These advanced features are designed to help you create professional-grade designs with ease. So, don't be shy—dive in and explore editing with Canva Photo Editor like a pro!

If you enjoyed our "10 Tips for Photo Editing with Canva Editor" blog post, you might also be interested in learning more about video editing. Check out Ansh Mehra's workshop, 'Editing Workflow for YouTube Videos.' Although the focus is on video editing, many of the techniques and principles discussed can be applied to photo editing as well, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their editing skills across different media formats.