Image Processing involves a lot of different techniques, mostly dependant on the nature of work for which it is required. The Software provides different kinds of tools. It is up to you to select the right tool that gives the kind of control you require to get the desired result. There is no fixed method to get the work done and new emerging software provide lots of new, innovative and fast methods. Many of these methods can be found in traditional arts, and we have to achieve those results by using modern digital technology.

Original Photograph	Vignetting/Feathering
Sepia Toning	Black & White

Feathering is a fairly new term used for traditional vignetting, where we merge the picture to its background, with a soft border. It can be done by various methods, from simply deleting the feathered area to using complex masking techniques. I have done vignetting by simple deletion of the feathered area to merge it with the white background. This technique is particularly used on images used for articles. It is also used for web banners or as a part of any complex image effect.

Sepia toning is another popular technique used in Digital Arts. A tint of pale brown color is applied to the photograph to achieve sepia toning. This effect can be achieved by using the popular Hue/Saturation command of Photoshop. We can go a step further by applying some old design or pattern for the border and making the sepia toning partial, to give a totally old look effect to the photograph.

Converting color photographs to black and white is an art in itself. You get a wide range of tools and methods to achieve this effect, but the Channel Mixer of Photoshop, may be the most effective amongst them all. It is not desaturating or making grayscale, but keeping the image in its original mode and getting the perfect black and white image.

I have tried third party plugins on the same photograph to get different tones.

In the next article we will see some of the most popular Image Effects.