From the start to the end (2 of 3)

- A first selection
Let’s start looking at your works carefully.
I like to use Picasa 2 from Google, which is free, easy to use and doesn’t need too much power from your PC hardware.
Properly configured, Picasa can detect new photos in your archive and automatically loads its database, so you can start to analyze your images in small format and select the most intersting with the Special function (the button with the yellow star).
In this phase you have to use your need to be critical sense and your theoretical acquaintance looking for composition, sharpness, contrast.
At the same time is really important to understand the strenght and the weakness in your photography technique: you have to select the area you need to improve so you can focus your theoretical studies and practise.
When you select your photos you have to remember to not look for perfection or for image you can immediatly use, but simply choose the best ones, selecting for 8 or 10 good photos ready for the next step.
With the Export function you can copy the selected photo in a new folder and then leave Picasa: its time for Photoshop.

- Editing
To edit your photo you need a good software, like Photoshop to minimize imperfections and obtain, starting from the images you select in the previous step, a couple of really good shots.
It’s a time consuming task, which also need a specific technique and experience, so be patient and do it step by step.
The tipical workflow looks like the following list:
- retouching little imperfection
- works on tone, light and color
- saturation and contrast
- editing
- crop
- final touch
In the future will cover all these steps in detail.

(continue)