Mastering ON1 Photo RAW: 10 Essential Photo Editing Tips

Contents

1. Use the Quick Mask Tool for targeted adjustments
2. Apply the Perfect Erase Tool to remove unwanted elements
3. Leverage the Refine Brush for edge-aware selection
4. Utilize the Adjustable Gradient Filter for landscape photos
5. Use the Local Adjustments Brush to apply effects to specific areas
6. Apply the Skin Retouching Filter for portraits
7. Use the Tone Enhancer Filter to boost dynamic range
8. Leverage the Color Enhancer Filter to improve colors
9. Utilize the Details Enhancer for sharpening
10. Apply the Vignette Filter for artistic effects

Mastering photo editing with ON1 Photo RAW isn't as hard as it seems. This powerful tool has a lot to offer — from quick fixes to complex edits, it's got you covered. But to make the most of its features, knowing some key tips can be a game-changer. In this blog, we'll go through 10 essential tips to help you master photo editing with ON1 Photo RAW. These are not just any tips — they're the real deal, sure to help you step up your editing game. So, let's get right into it!

Use the Quick Mask Tool for targeted adjustments

Think of the Quick Mask Tool as your magic wand for targeted adjustments. It helps you to make precise changes in specific areas of your photo. And guess what? It's super easy to use.

First, select the Quick Mask Tool from your toolbar. Then, brush over the area you want to adjust. You'll see a red overlay — this is your mask. Don't worry if it's not perfect at first; you can always refine it later. The goal is to cover the area where you want to make adjustments.

Once you've defined your mask area, the world (or in this case, the ON1 Photo RAW) is your oyster. You can adjust the exposure, contrast, color, and more—right within the masked area. For instance, if you want to brighten up a dark corner, just increase the exposure. Easy peasy!

The Quick Mask Tool is a handy feature when you need to make targeted adjustments. It's a small tool, but don't underestimate its power. By mastering this feature, you're already one step closer to becoming a pro at photo editing with ON1 Photo RAW.

Remember — practice makes perfect. So grab some of your favorite shots and start experimenting. You'll be surprised at how much of a difference the Quick Mask Tool can make in your edits.

Apply the Perfect Erase Tool to remove unwanted elements

Imagine this—you've taken the perfect shot, but there's a pesky photo bomber in the background. Or maybe there's an unsightly trash can ruining your beautiful landscape. Enter the Perfect Erase Tool, your new best friend for removing unwanted elements from your photos.

So, how do you use it? First, you'll find the Perfect Erase Tool in the Retouch Tab. Once you've selected it, simply brush over the area or element you wish to remove. The tool will analyze the surrounding pixels and replace the unwanted element with a matching texture. Voila! The photo bomber or trash can is gone, just like that.

It's important to remember that, like all tools, the Perfect Erase Tool has its limitations. It works best on small elements against a relatively uniform background. Trying to remove a large object from a busy scene might not give you the best results. But for minor cleanups, this tool can be a real lifesaver.

Mastering the Perfect Erase Tool is an important step in your journey to master photo editing with ON1 Photo Raw. It gives you the power to keep what you want in your photos, and remove what you don't. So, why not give it a try? Get rid of those unwanted elements and let your photos shine!

Leverage the Refine Brush for edge-aware selection

Let's move on to another powerful tool in the ON1 Photo Raw arsenal: the Refine Brush. If you've ever struggled with making precise selections, especially around intricate objects like hair or foliage, then the Refine Brush is going to change your photo editing game.

Here's how it works: you can find the Refine Brush under the Masking Tools. Once selected, you can use it to paint over the edges of the object you want to select. The magic of the Refine Brush is that it's 'edge-aware'. This means it intelligently detects and adheres to the edges of your object, even if they're as complex as individual strands of hair or leaves on a tree.

The key is to use a small brush size and to paint slowly over your edges. You'll see the brush creating a selection that's incredibly precise. It's like painting with magic!

The Refine Brush is an essential tool to master photo editing with ON1 Photo Raw. It allows you to make intricate selections with ease, giving you more control over your photo editing process. So why not give the Refine Brush a try? You might find it becomes one of your go-to tools in no time.

Utilize the Adjustable Gradient Filter for landscape photos

Landscape photography is a genre that can truly benefit from the Adjustable Gradient Filter. This feature can elevate your landscape shots from good to breathtaking. How? Well, it's all about balance.

When shooting landscapes, it's common to find that the sky is much brighter than the land. This contrast can make it tricky to expose the photo correctly — you either end up with a well-exposed land and a washed-out sky, or a dramatic sky with a dark and underexposed land. Not ideal, right?

Enter the Adjustable Gradient Filter. Found in the Effects module, it allows you to adjust the exposure, contrast, and other parameters differently for the top and bottom halves of your photo. You can even adjust the blending point and orientation to match your photo's horizon line. This means you can darken the sky to bring out the clouds, while simultaneously brightening the land to reveal more detail. It's like having two photos in one!

Mastering photo editing with ON1 Photo Raw means knowing when and how to use tools like the Adjustable Gradient Filter. It can truly make a world of difference in your landscape photos. So next time you're editing a landscape shot, remember the Adjustable Gradient Filter. It might just be your new best friend.

Use the Local Adjustments Brush to apply effects to specific areas

Every photograph tells a story, and sometimes, you want to highlight certain parts of that story. This is where the Local Adjustments Brush shines. It's like your magic wand, enabling you to apply effects to specific areas without impacting the whole photo.

Let's say you have a brilliant sunset photo, but the foreground is a bit too dark. You want to brighten up that area without washing out the beautiful colors in the sky. The Local Adjustments Brush is perfect for this. Just select the brush, set your desired exposure increase, and paint over the dark area. Like magic, it brightens up, without affecting the rest of the photo.

But that's not all. The Local Adjustments Brush isn't a one-trick pony. You can adjust the brush size, feather, and flow to suit your needs. You can even invert your selection to apply effects outside the brushed area. Need more contrast in the sky but not on the ground? No problem. Want to add clarity to an object but keep the background soft? Easy peasy.

Mastering photo editing with ON1 Photo Raw involves learning to wield the Local Adjustments Brush effectively. It's a powerful tool that can transform your photos, letting the most important parts shine. So, next time you're editing, don't forget about your magic wand. Use the Local Adjustments Brush to bring your photos to life.

Apply the Skin Retouching Filter for portraits

Portrait photography is a delicate art. It's all about capturing the essence of the person. But let's face it, we all have days when our skin doesn't look its best. That's when the Skin Retouching Filter of ON1 Photo RAW comes into play. It's like a digital makeup artist, smoothing out imperfections and enhancing your subject's natural beauty.

Applying this filter can make a world of difference. It can smooth out wrinkles, reduce blemishes, and even out skin tones, all while preserving the natural texture of the skin. It's not about creating a plastic, airbrushed look. It's about subtly enhancing the photo to present your subject in the best possible light.

So, how do you use it? First, select the Skin Retouching Filter from the Filters list. Then, use the eyedropper tool to select the skin tone. ON1 Photo RAW will automatically detect and smooth the skin in your photo. You can adjust the amount of smoothing, shine reduction, and color correction to your liking. The result? A natural, flattering portrait that still looks like your subject — just on their best day.

Mastering photo editing with ON1 Photo RAW means understanding the power of subtle changes. The Skin Retouching Filter is a perfect example of this. So, next time you're editing a portrait, give it a try. You might be surprised at the difference it can make.

Use the Tone Enhancer Filter to boost dynamic range

Have you ever looked at a photo and thought it seemed a bit flat or dull? That's where the Tone Enhancer Filter in ON1 Photo RAW can be your best friend. This filter can help you boost the dynamic range of your photo, adding depth and vitality to your images. And the best part? It's easier to use than you might think.

Let's get to it. Start by selecting the Tone Enhancer Filter from your Filters list. This filter is all about contrast — it's about adding light to the bright parts of your photo and darkness to the darker areas. But instead of doing it all over, it lets you do it selectively, giving you more control over the final look of your photograph.

Adjust the 'Compression' slider to widen your photo's dynamic range. This will make the bright areas brighter and the dark areas darker, enhancing the overall contrast and depth. But be careful, too much compression can make your photo look unnatural. The trick is to find the right balance.

Then, play around with the 'Highlight' and 'Shadow' sliders. These allow you to fine-tune the brightness and darkness in specific areas of your photo. It's like painting with light and shadow — pretty cool, right?

Mastering photo editing with ON1 Photo RAW is all about understanding how these different filters and tools interact with your photos. The Tone Enhancer Filter is a powerful tool for adding depth and drama to your images. So, go ahead, give it a shot. Your photos will thank you.

Leverage the Color Enhancer Filter to improve colors

Color plays a vital role in photography. It can set the mood, tell a story or simply make an image more visually appealing. But sometimes, the colors in our photos don't come out exactly as we planned. That's where the Color Enhancer Filter in ON1 Photo RAW comes in.

Let's say you've taken a beautiful sunset photo, but the oranges and reds aren't as vibrant as you remember them. No problem. Just select the Color Enhancer Filter from your Filters list and watch as your sunset goes from "meh" to "wow".

Start by choosing the 'Color Range' you want to adjust. In our case, we'll select 'Reds' and 'Oranges'. Then, use the 'Hue', 'Saturation', and 'Brightness' sliders to adjust the look of these colors. You'll notice that the sunset in your photo starts to pop and look more vibrant.

Here's a tip: Don't be afraid to experiment. Try adjusting different color ranges and see what happens. You might be surprised at the results. Just remember, the goal is to enhance the colors, not change them completely.

As you master photo editing with ON1 Photo RAW, you'll find that the Color Enhancer Filter is an invaluable tool in your editing toolbox. It gives you the power to bring your photos to life and create images that truly reflect your unique vision.

Utilize the Details Enhancer for sharpening

Even with the most advanced camera tech out there, not every photo comes out as sharp as we'd like. Maybe your subject moved just a smidge, or perhaps your focus was a touch off. Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. The good news is, there's a quick fix with ON1 Photo RAW's Details Enhancer.

This handy tool is a lifesaver when you're looking to add a bit of crispness to your images. It's like giving your photo a quick shot of espresso—everything just pops!

First, find the Details Enhancer in your Filters tab. Next, move the 'Amount' slider to adjust how much sharpening you want to apply. You'll see your photo start to get that crisp, clean look. But wait, there's more. You can further refine the sharpness using the 'Detail' slider—this controls how much fine detail is sharpened. And if you're working with a high ISO image, the 'Noise Reduction' slider will become your new best friend.

Remember, though, sharpening is a bit like adding seasoning to a dish. A little bit enhances the flavors, but too much can be overpowering. So, use this tool sparingly.

With the Details Enhancer, you'll find that mastering photo editing with ON1 Photo RAW is a breeze. It's just another way this powerful software helps you make your photos look their absolute best.

Apply the Vignette Filter for artistic effects

Do you ever look at a photo and think, "Hmm, something's missing"? That missing element might just be a vignette. This classic photography technique can add a touch of drama and help draw attention to the main subject of your photo. And guess what? ON1 Photo RAW has a built-in Vignette Filter that makes adding this effect as easy as pie.

After you've finished your other edits, head over to the Effects tab. Find the Vignette Filter and click on that. The 'Amount' slider lets you adjust the strength of the vignette, while the 'Size' slider lets you control how much of your photo is covered by the vignette. Play around with these until you find the look that's right for your image. Remember, less is often more when it comes to vignettes.

But there's more! The 'Feather' slider adjusts the softness of the vignette's edges, while the 'Roundness' slider lets you tweak its shape. With these controls, you can create the perfect vignette for any photo.

Applying the Vignette Filter is an effective way to master photo editing with ON1 Photo RAW. It's not just about brightening colors or sharpening details—it's about using creative effects to enhance the overall mood of your images. So, go ahead and give your photos that extra pop with a perfectly placed vignette.

If you're looking to further enhance your photo editing skills, don't miss the workshop 'How To Photograph & Retouch Bright Colours' by Laurence Philomene. This workshop focuses on capturing and retouching vibrant, colorful images, which complements the skills you've learned in our "Mastering ON1 Photo RAW" blog post. Take your photo editing expertise to new heights by exploring this workshop today!