Portrait Editing in Snapseed Using a RAW File
In this video I’ll be showing you the complete process of editing a portrait in Snapseed. For this we will be using a RAW file so that we have as much data as possible to work with.
A point to note is that for Android users, you need to convert the file from native RAW format of your camera to a DNG format file. That’s because on an Android, you can only open DNG format files in Snapseed when it comes to using an uncompressed image.
Link to download the image used in the video:
Here is the video:
If you want to master Snapseed, then check out our Snapseed Photo Editing course, which has 27 videos and 4.5 hours of content. You can use the link below to access the course on Udemy:
Video Summary
This video tutorial demonstrates how to edit a RAW portrait file using the free Snapseed mobile app, highlighting its advanced tools that rival paid desktop software.
Phase 1: Raw Development (Global Adjustments)
When you open a RAW file in Snapseed, it automatically opens the “Raw Develop” tool [00:36].
- White Balance: Use the “Auto” setting or the Color Picker tool. Place the picker on a neutral gray area (like the white of an eye or a gray part of clothing) to correct color casts [01:43, 02:36].
- Highlights & Shadows: Reduce highlights to recover details in a bright sky [06:17]. Raise shadows slightly to reveal details in dark areas, like the subject’s hair [07:04].
- Contrast & Saturation: Add a small amount of contrast and saturation for a more “punchy” look [07:25, 07:59].
Phase 2: The Selective Tool (Local Adjustments)
The Selective Tool is described as a “game changer” because it uses “U Point technology” to edit specific areas without complex masking [10:44, 11:22].
- How it works: Tap a part of the image (e.g., a dress). Snapseed identifies similar pixels in that area. Pinch with two fingers to see a red overlay showing the “impact area” [12:45, 13:18].
- Editing the Dress: Increase brightness, contrast, and saturation only on the dress to make it stand out [15:20].
- Editing the Face: Place a point on the face and neck to regain the brightness lost during global highlight reduction [16:16, 17:03].
- Editing the Background: Place points on the sky and foliage. Increase saturation significantly to bring out the colors without affecting the subject [18:28, 19:13].
Snapseed Interface Tips
- Navigation: Swipe your finger vertically to switch between settings (Exposure, Contrast, etc.) and horizontally to change the value of that setting [05:28].
- Before/After: While in a tool, tap the icon in the top right. On the main screen, long-press the image to see the original raw file [06:43, 09:15].
