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Photo Editor

Photo editing is an essential skill for anyone who wants to create high-quality images for print or digital media. Photo editors use a variety of software programs to manipulate and enhance images, and they may also use specialized hardware, such as scanners and printers. Photo editors may work in a variety of settings, including commercial photography studios, advertising agencies, and publishing companies.

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Photo editing is an essential skill for anyone who wants to create high-quality images for print or digital media. Photo editors use a variety of software programs to manipulate and enhance images, and they may also use specialized hardware, such as scanners and printers. Photo editors may work in a variety of settings, including commercial photography studios, advertising agencies, and publishing companies.

What does a Photo Editor do?

Photo editors typically perform the following tasks:

  • Correcting exposure and color
  • Removing blemishes and other imperfections
  • Cropping and resizing images
  • Adjusting contrast and brightness
  • Adding filters and other effects
  • Creating composite images
  • Preparing images for print or digital media

Education and Training

There are many different ways to become a photo editor. Some people learn the trade through on-the-job training, while others may take formal courses at a college or university. There are also a number of online courses that can teach you the basics of photo editing.

Skills and Knowledge

Photo editors need to have a strong understanding of the principles of photography, including composition, lighting, and exposure. They also need to be proficient in using photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Additionally, photo editors should be able to work independently and meet deadlines.

Career Growth

Photo editors can advance to management positions or specialize in a particular area of photo editing, such as retouching or color correction. They may also work as freelance photo editors, or they may start their own businesses.

Transferable Skills

The skills that photo editors develop can be transferred to other careers, such as graphic design, web design, and marketing.

Day-to-Day

The day-to-day work of a photo editor can vary depending on the setting in which they work. In a commercial photography studio, a photo editor may be responsible for editing a large volume of images for a variety of clients. In an advertising agency, a photo editor may work on creating images for print and digital advertisements. In a publishing company, a photo editor may be responsible for preparing images for magazines, books, and other publications.

Challenges

Photo editors can face a number of challenges in their work, including:

  • Tight deadlines
  • Demanding clients
  • Constant changes in technology
  • Eye strain and other health issues

Projects

Photo editors may work on a variety of projects, including:

  • Editing images for print and digital media
  • Creating composite images
  • Retouching images
  • Color correction
  • Creating special effects

Personal Growth

Photo editors can experience personal growth in a number of ways, including:

  • Developing their technical skills
  • Expanding their knowledge of photography
  • Building their portfolio
  • Working with a variety of clients
  • Taking on leadership roles

Personality Traits and Interests

Photo editors should have a strong attention to detail and be able to work independently. They should also be creative and have a good understanding of visual aesthetics. Additionally, photo editors should be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Self-Guided Projects

Students who are interested in becoming photo editors can complete a number of self-guided projects to better prepare themselves for this role. These projects may include:

  • Editing your own photos
  • Creating a portfolio of your work
  • Experimenting with different photo editing techniques
  • Taking online courses
  • Reading books and articles about photo editing

Online Courses and Training

Online courses can be a great way to learn the skills necessary for a career as a photo editor. Many of these courses are self-paced and allow students to learn at their own speed. Online courses can also provide students with access to expert instructors and resources.

Online courses can help learners better prepare for this career by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. These courses may include lecture videos, projects, assignments, quizzes, exams, discussions, and interactive labs. By completing these courses, learners can gain a strong foundation in the principles of photo editing and develop the skills they need to use photo editing software effectively.

Online courses alone may not be enough to follow a path to this career, but they can be a helpful learning tool to bolster the chances of success for entering this career. By taking advantage of the resources available through online courses, learners can increase their knowledge and skills and make themselves more competitive in the job market.

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Salaries for Photo Editor

City
Median
New York
$112,000
San Francisco
$110,000
Seattle
$94,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$112,000
San Francisco
$110,000
Seattle
$94,000
Austin
$73,000
Toronto
$85,000
London
£52,000
Paris
€61,000
Berlin
€59,000
Tel Aviv
₪470,000
Singapore
S$66,000
Beijing
¥200,000
Shanghai
¥145,000
Shenzhen
¥510,000
Bengalaru
₹346,000
Delhi
₹240,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Photo Editor

Take the first step.
We've curated 24 courses to help you on your path to Photo Editor. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
The Adobe-endorsed official training guide for Photoshop, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the software's features and capabilities. It valuable resource for both beginners and experienced users who want to expand their skills.
Written by an experienced Photoshop instructor, this book comprehensive guide that covers everything from basic editing techniques to advanced compositing and retouching. It is particularly useful for beginners and intermediate users who want to take their skills to the next level.
A German-language guide to professional object editing. Covers advanced techniques and workflows for demanding projects.
Comprehensive guide to Adobe Lightroom Classic, covering everything from basic editing to advanced techniques. It is written in a clear and concise style, making it easy for beginners to learn the basics of Lightroom. However, it also includes advanced topics that will be helpful for experienced photographers.
A comprehensive guide to Adobe Photoshop, the industry-standard software for object editing. Covers everything from basic photo editing to advanced techniques.
A detailed guide to using GIMP, a free and open-source alternative to Photoshop. Covers all the features and techniques necessary for object editing.
Practical guide to using Lightroom Classic CC for photographers. It covers everything from importing and organizing photos to editing and exporting them. It is written by a professional photographer, so it is full of tips and tricks that you won't find in other books.
Classic guide to advanced Photoshop techniques. It covers a wide range of topics, from color correction to compositing to retouching. It valuable resource for experienced users who want to master the software and produce professional-quality results.
Comprehensive guide to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic. It covers everything from the basics to advanced techniques. It is written in a clear and concise style, making it easy for beginners to learn the basics of Lightroom. However, it also includes advanced topics that will be helpful for experienced photographers.
An exploration of object editing within the context of graphic design. Covers principles of visual communication and how object editing can enhance design.
A comprehensive guide to the basics of object editing, covering cropping, resizing, color correction, and retouching. Suitable for beginners with little to no experience in image editing.
Visual guide to using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for digital photographers. It covers all the basics of Lightroom, from importing and organizing photos to editing and exporting them. It is written in a clear and concise style, with plenty of screenshots and illustrations.
A practical guide to object editing for digital photography. Covers techniques for improving composition, removing blemishes, and enhancing colors.
Covers the complete workflow for photographers using Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC. It valuable resource for photographers who want to learn how to use these two programs together to achieve the best possible results.
Comprehensive guide to using Lightroom for portrait photographers. It covers everything from importing and organizing photos to editing and exporting them. It is written by a professional portrait photographer, so it is full of tips and tricks that you won't find in other books.
An in-depth exploration of advanced object editing techniques, including compositing, masking, and special effects. Assumes a solid foundation in basic image editing.
A guide to object editing for web designers. Covers optimizing images for the web, creating interactive graphics, and using object editing to improve user experience.
Comprehensive guide to Photoshop for digital photographers. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic editing techniques to advanced retouching and compositing. It valuable resource for photographers who want to learn how to use Photoshop to improve their images.
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