Resetting tools

Sometimes, just occasionally, one of your tools will start misbehaving in Photoshop.  It might be the Text Tool which is putting enormous spacing between letters and you don't know why; or it might be the Crop Tool which keeps cropping to a fixed shape even though you've got no values in the Options Bar; or it might be the Clone Stamp Tool which won't sample the right colours ... or whatever.  You know, any one of those annoying little glitches that can happen with any software, any time.

If you're lucky, the problem can be fixed by simply resetting the tool.  You do this via the little "Tool Preset Picker" at the left end of the Options Bar, then going to the submenu, and choosing "Reset Tool":

This won't solve every Photoshop problem you ever have, but it's an important little troubleshooting device to have up your sleeve.

What is "clean processing"?

"Clean processing" is a term you'll see frequently on photographic forums, and especially in my Facebook group.  To a degree, everyone has their own interpretation of the concept, but maybe it's new to you.

In a nutshell, a clean-processed image is one to which it's not obvious that any editing has been performed (even if it has).  The kind of image that makes somebody say "Wow, you're a good photographer!", rather than "Gee, you're good at Photoshop!".

A clean-processed photo has no particular effect or style applied, and as such, it should sit as comfortably in your portfolio in five or ten years' time as it does today.  However, it does provide the basis of all other editing styles.  Consistent clean processing means consistent and predictable results from your artistic editing, especially if you use actions or presets.

Of course, even within the narrow description of "clean", there is room for personal interpretation.  You may prefer your images warmer or cooler, or brighter or darker, or richer or paler, than the next person.  But in general terms, a "clean" image is one where the whites are white, the blacks are black, and the grays are gray.

Is it quick?

Maybe, maybe not.  It depends on how good the original photo was.  Clean processing might take a few seconds, or a whole hour.  The point is, nobody can tell.