The Jargon-Free Guide to Editing: What You Actually Need to Know

Let’s be honest: photo editing can feel like a confusing second language. What even is luminance? Why does everyone talk about “crushing the blacks”? And do you really need Lightroom, or will your phone’s app do the trick? If you’ve ever opened an editing program, poked a few sliders, then immediately closed it and sighed—this one’s for you. Welcome to your Jargon-Free Guide to Editing. No gatekeeping. No tech snobbery. Just what you actually need to know to make your photos look their best (without the overwhelm).

First Things First: Why Edit at All?

Editing is where you take your good photo and give it that final oomph. It’s not about faking it or making your skin glow like a glazed donut. It’s about helping the photo match how it felt in the moment. That sunrise? Let’s warm it up. Your kid’s laugh? Let’s brighten the light and pull up the joy. That portrait? Let’s help it pop with a little contrast. You’re not changing the story—you’re finishing the sentence.

The Basic Tools (And What They Actually Do)

Here are the only sliders you need to know to get started—and what they really mean:

• Exposure = Brightness

Too dark? Slide it right. Too bright? Slide it left.

• Contrast = Drama

Makes the darks darker and the lights lighter. Instant pop.

• Highlights = Brightest parts

Helps you recover a blown-out sky or tone down shiny foreheads.

• Shadows = Dark areas

Lifts detail out of the shadows (or makes them deeper for mood).

• Saturation = How colorful it looks

Be careful here. A little goes a long way. Oversaturating = neon skin. 😬

• Clarity/Texture = Adds definition

Great for landscapes or objects. Less great on skin (unless you’re going for “gritty forest gnome” vibes). That’s it. Start with those six and you’ll be editing like a pro without watching 7 hours of YouTube.

Jargon Decoder: What They’re Saying vs. What It Means

If you’re wondering:

• “Crushed blacks” = Deep, pure shadows with no detail left

• “Flat image” = Not enough contrast or color

• “Punchy” = Bright, bold, and contrast-y

• “Desaturated” = Less color (aesthetic choice, not sadness)

• “Presets” = Basically photo filters made by other people (but you can make them too!)

Now you can nod confidently in photography convos like: “Oh, I just pulled down the highlights and bumped the contrast for that punchy vibe.” 😎

Do I Need Lightroom?

Lightroom is great, but if you're just getting started:

• Snapseed (Free) – Excellent mobile editing app with all the essentials

• VSCO (Free + Paid) – Pretty filters + easy adjustments

• Lightroom Mobile (Free version available) – A fantastic place to start playing with real tools

You do not need Photoshop to get good results, promise. And personally, Photoshop is not very user friendly!

My Beginner Editing Routine (Quick & Simple)

1. Crop and straighten if needed

2. Adjust exposure and contrast

3. Pull down highlights, lift shadows

4. Tweak saturation just a touch

5. Sharpen slightly (but don’t overdo it)

6. Save a copy—you’re done!

Bonus: Save that edit as a “preset” in most apps and apply it again to keep your style consistent.

Pro Tips to Keep You Sane

• Don’t edit every photo. Choose your favorites--this is the culling process.

• Don’t zoom in too close. You’ll start fixing things no one else sees.

• Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for feeling.

• Editing should be fun, not stressful. If you’re getting overwhelmed, take a break.

Final Thoughts

Editing doesn’t have to be a black hole of sliders and second-guessing. Think of it like seasoning your favorite dish—you’re just bringing out what’s already great. So next time you open an editing app, don’t panic. Just move one slider at a time, trust your instincts, and remember: you don’t need to speak photo tech to create something beautiful. Your camera sees the moment. You shape how it’s remembered.

Want to learn more beginner-friendly techniques like this one? My upcoming course Click With Confidence is designed to make all of this feel easy—and even fun.