Shoot First – Edit Later

Whether you’re using a smart phone or other camera, I always recommend get the best detail in your image in straight color with no extra filters first. You can always edit it later, and create a wide variety of looks from any image.
Here are a few tips I follow every time I’m shooting, no matter what it is.

1. Walk around or move your camera around your subject to find the best background. Using a smart phone up close to your subject includes an interesting background.
   To reduce distractions in a busy background, zoom in with a “big” camera.
2. FOCUS! You might think it goes without saying but many folks don’t know they can adjust focus on their phones simply by touching on their subject on the screen before taking photos.
3. EXPOSURE – many apps and cameras have exposure adjustments to help you get the shot YOU want to take instead of the camera’s “happy medium” average exposure. This varies with each type of camera. If you’re using an iPhone, try touching anywhere on the screen and slide your finger up/down.
4. Skip the filters! If I get a great shot – I want it in color, even if I’m going to make a black & white from it later. My favorite app has color filters just like in the old days to make certain colors appear lighter or darker – really amazing for both landscapes & for people! If I shoot it in black and white IN CAMERA I’ve lost that major feature of my editing app!
   Edit Later! I love editing on my iPad.

Check out more about that and our upcoming On the Go Photo Workshops for in-depth shooting & editing classes using any smart phone or tablet.

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If you’re using a “big camera”, you might want an SD card reader

Shot on Nikon SLR, edited on iPad. © Malinda Hartong, Hartong Digital Media llc.

from Apple to import your photos onto iPad.

I shot this in color with iPhone6 , edited on iPad, and printed a beautiful 16×20 at MPix. © Malinda Hartong, Hartong Digital Media llc.

You can even make a tinted look on iPad with a free app. © Malinda Hartong, Hartong Digital Media llc.

Get detail in the photo first, then add saturation and adjust later. © Malinda Hartong, Hartong Digital Media llc.

Avoid adding filters when shooting – if you press the little 3 circle icon on the iPhone (here bottom left in landscape orientation), choose NONE in the center to avoid adding a filter when shooting your photo © Malinda Hartong, Hartong Digital Media llc.