You are probably familiar with the problem: You have taken a photo, look at it and realize that it's quite nice, but not really impressive. In this tutorial, I will show you how you can elevate your images to a new level in Affinity Photo with just a few optimizations. We will focus on techniques to make the image more vivid by adding, among other things, clouds, applying color gradients, and increasing the sharpness to enhance your photo.
Main Insights
- Adding clouds gives a sky more depth and interest.
- Vignettes can make your images more dramatic.
- Color gradients and overlays enhance the mood of your photos.
- Sharpening makes your image clearer and more eye-catching.
- Using live filters allows for non-destructive editing.
Step-by-Step Guide
To spice up boring photos, follow the steps you can implement in Affinity Photo.
Adding Clouds
First, you can start by adding clouds to your image. Open Affinity Photo and load your image.
Search for cloud brushes on a website like Tutkit.com. Enter "clouds" in the search bar and download the suitable brushes.
On TutKit.com, you will also see which programs are suitable for the brushes. After downloading, extract the files. You should see multiple brush options. Choose a suitable resolution and copy the brush file.
Go back to Affinity Photo and import the new brushes through the brush panel.
Once the brushes have been successfully imported, create a new layer named "Clouds." Choose a brush you like and start adding clouds to your image. You can adjust the foreground and background colors to achieve the desired effect.
Experiment with the brush size by holding down the "Ctrl + Alt" keys and dragging with the left mouse button to make the brush smaller or larger.
Add the clouds in the desired area, adjust the opacity, and rotate the clouds as needed using the arrow keys.
If you want more clouds, duplicate the layer or add new clouds to make the image more lively.
Adding Vignette
A vignette can help to direct focus to the main subject. To add a vignette in Affinity Photo, activate the "Vignette" filter.
Reduce the exposure to darken the edges of the image. This creates a more dramatic effect.
Check the image to see if you like the changes. You can adjust or deactivate the vignette at any time to try out different looks.
Inserting Color Gradients
To make the image warmer, add a color gradient. Go to the layer effects, select "Gradient," and adjust the angle.
Set the blending mode to "Screen" to achieve an interesting effect. Reduce the opacity for a softer look.
You can also experiment with gradients in different colors by adjusting the options and keeping the opacity variable.
Sharpening the Image
One of the final steps in enhancing your photo is sharpening. You can do this by going to "Filter" > "Sharpen" and "Unsharp Mask." Make sure to adjust the strength and radius.
It's recommended to duplicate the image beforehand so the original remains unchanged, allowing you to easily revert if needed.
Use the "Live Filter" option for more flexibility. This way, you can make or undo adjustments at any time.
Final Adjustments
Finally, you can make further adjustments. You can control the shadows and highlights or make more precise adjustments using curves.
Experiment with the HSL settings to further optimize colors and give your image the finishing touch.
With various techniques, you can also brighten or darken specific areas to achieve the desired effect.
Summary
In this tutorial, you have learned how to significantly enhance dull photos in Affinity Photo using various tools and techniques. From adding clouds to using vignettes, color gradients, and sharpening - you have plenty of options to make your images more vibrant and interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I insert clouds into my image?You can download cloud brushes and add them on a new layer in your image.
What is a vignette?A vignette is an effect that darkens the edges of an image to draw focus towards the main subject.
How do I sharpen my image?Use the Sharpen filter in Affinity Photo and adjust the settings as needed.
Can I undo my changes?Yes, if you use Live Filters, you can make and undo changes at any time.
What are color gradients and how do I apply them?Color gradients are smooth transitions of color that you can add through layer effects to give more warmth or emotional depth to your image.
