# Photo Editing

> Edit and enhance photographs using Lightroom, Photoshop, and other tools. Use for color correction, exposure adjustment, retouching, color grading, compositing, and preparing images for print or web. Covers non-destructive editing workflows, adjustment layers, masking, retouching techniques, and export settings for various platforms.

- Skill: `majiayu000/photo-editing` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add majiayu000/photo-editing`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/photo-editing/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/photo-editing

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# Photo Editing

Edit and enhance photographs through color correction, retouching, and creative processing using professional tools and workflows.

## Overview

Photo editing transforms raw captures into polished final images through color correction, exposure adjustment, retouching, and creative enhancement. This skill covers Lightroom and Photoshop workflows, non-destructive editing techniques, and preparing images for various output formats.

## Lightroom Workflow

### Import and Organization

**Import:**
- Copy files to organized folder structure
- Apply import presets for consistency
- Add keywords and metadata

**Culling:**
- Flag or star best images
- Remove obvious rejects
- Select candidates for editing

### Basic Adjustments

**Exposure and Tone:**
- Exposure: Overall brightness
- Contrast: Tonal separation
- Highlights: Recover blown highlights
- Shadows: Lift blocked shadows
- Whites/Blacks: Set white and black points

**Color:**
- White Balance: Correct color cast
- Vibrance: Subtle saturation boost
- Saturation: Overall color intensity

**Presence:**
- Clarity: Midtone contrast
- Texture: Fine detail enhancement
- Dehaze: Atmospheric haze removal

### Color Grading

**Color Wheels:**
- Shadows: Tint shadow tones
- Midtones: Overall color mood
- Highlights: Tint bright areas

**HSL Sliders:**
- Hue: Shift specific colors
- Saturation: Intensity of specific colors
- Luminance: Brightness of specific colors

### Local Adjustments

**Tools:**
- Graduated Filter: Gradual adjustments (skies)
- Radial Filter: Circular adjustments (vignettes)
- Adjustment Brush: Freehand painting
- Masking: AI-powered selections (sky, subject, background)

## Photoshop Workflow

### Non-Destructive Editing

**Layers:**
- Keep original layer intact
- Adjustments on separate layers
- Easy to modify or remove

**Adjustment Layers:**
- Curves: Tonal and color control
- Levels: Contrast and tonal range
- Hue/Saturation: Color adjustments
- Color Balance: Color correction

**Smart Objects:**
- Non-destructive transformations
- Editable filters
- Preserve original quality

### Retouching

**Spot Removal:**
- Healing Brush: Blend texture and tone
- Clone Stamp: Copy pixels
- Spot Healing: Quick blemish removal

**Skin Retouching:**
- Frequency Separation: Separate texture and tone
- Dodge and Burn: Sculpt with light and shadow
- Subtle smoothing (avoid over-smoothing)

**Advanced Techniques:**
- Content-Aware Fill: Remove objects
- Liquify: Reshape and adjust
- Selective Sharpening: Enhance details

### Masking

**Layer Masks:**
- Non-destructive hiding/revealing
- Paint with black (hide) or white (reveal)
- Feathered edges for smooth transitions

**Selection Tools:**
- Quick Selection: AI-powered selection
- Select Subject: Automatic subject detection
- Select and Mask: Refine selections

## Color Grading

**Workflow:**
1. Correct white balance and exposure
2. Apply creative color grade
3. Refine with HSL or Color Balance
4. Add finishing touches (vignette, grain)

**Popular Looks:**
- Warm and Faded: Lift blacks, warm highlights
- Cool and Moody: Cool shadows, desaturated
- Cinematic: Teal shadows, orange highlights
- Black and White: Convert, adjust contrast

## Export Settings

| Use Case | Format | Resolution | Color Space | Quality |
|----------|--------|------------|-------------|---------|
| Web/Social | JPEG | 2048px long edge | sRGB | 80-90% |
| Print | TIFF/JPEG | 300 DPI | Adobe RGB | 100% |
| Client Delivery | JPEG | Full resolution | sRGB | 90-100% |
| Archive | DNG/TIFF | Original | ProPhoto RGB | Lossless |

## Using the Reference Files

**`/references/lightroom-editing-guide.md`** — Read when learning Lightroom workflows and adjustment techniques.

**`/references/photoshop-retouching.md`** — Read when performing advanced retouching and compositing.

**`/references/color-grading-techniques.md`** — Read when applying creative color grades and looks.

**`/references/export-and-delivery.md`** — Read when preparing images for various output formats and platforms.