Which photo preset should I start with?

Enhance is the safest default for most photos. Deblur is better for soft images, Clean Up is better for noisy or rough images, and Upscale is for larger exports.

When should I use PNG instead of JPEG?

Use PNG when you want a cleaner lossless-style export for graphics or text-heavy images. JPEG is the best general-purpose photo export, and WEBP is useful when you want a smaller file with good quality.

Should I add extra cleanup and extra sharpening together?

Only lightly. Too much cleanup plus too much sharpen can fight each other and make edges feel processed. Start with one of them, then add the other only if the result still needs it.

How far should I push brightness, contrast, color, and warmth?

Use small moves. These controls are best for finish correction, not heavy restyling. Slight nudges usually look more natural than strong swings.

Advanced Photo Editing Guide

Start Here

Presets and Main Controls

The top photo controls decide the overall direction of the cleanup before you touch the finish layer underneath.

Start Here

Enhance, Deblur, Clean Up, and Upscale

Enhance: safest default for most photos.
Deblur: better when the image is soft and needs stronger edge recovery.
Clean Up: better when the source feels noisy, rough, or slightly messy.
Upscale: use when the final export needs to be larger, not just cleaner.

Output Size and Enhancement Strength

Thumbnail and Small are for previews or lightweight exports.
Medium and Web are the safest everyday sizes.
HD and 4K are best when the delivery actually needs a larger file.
The enhancement strength slider controls how assertive the main cleanup feels before the finish controls run.

Delivery

Export Format Choices

The export format changes how the file is packaged, not how the core photo cleanup model behaves.

Delivery

JPEG

Best general-purpose photo export. Use it for most normal photos, website uploads, and quick delivery.

PNG

Best when you want cleaner edges for graphics, screenshots, or text-heavy images and do not mind larger files.

WEBP

Best when you want a smaller modern web-friendly file while still keeping strong visible quality.

Simple Format Habit

Use JPEG by default, switch to PNG for cleaner graphics, and use WEBP when file size matters for web delivery.

Correction Layer

Advanced Finish Controls

These are finish controls, not replacement presets. The best results usually come from small adjustments after choosing the right preset first.

Light Touch

Extra Cleanup and Extra Sharpening

Extra cleanup: use when the preset result still feels slightly rough or noisy.
Extra sharpening: use when the result still feels slightly soft after the main cleanup.
Do not push both too hard at the same time or the image can start to look processed.

Brightness and Contrast

Brightness: best for small lift or small pullback, not full relighting.
Contrast: use when the image feels flat or a little washed out.
Too much of either will make detail recovery feel less natural.

Color Richness and Warmth

Color richness: raises or lowers color intensity.
Warmth: nudges the image warmer or cooler without turning the whole image into a heavy grade.
Keep both subtle if the photo already has decent natural color.

Reset Advanced Photo

Use the reset button when the finish controls start fighting each other. It clears the advanced photo settings without removing the uploaded image or changing your current preset choice.

Starting Recipes

Recommended Recipes

Use these as starting points, not hard rules.

Recipes

General Photo Cleanup

Enhance preset, Web or HD size, JPEG export, leave finish controls neutral unless the result clearly needs a small correction.

Soft Outdoor Photo

Deblur preset, HD size, extra sharpen light or medium, tiny contrast bump, no strong warmth shift.

Noisy Screenshot or Rough Phone Photo

Clean Up preset, PNG or JPEG depending on the content, extra cleanup light or medium, sharpen only if edges still look soft afterward.

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers match the current MikeSullyTools photo workspace controls.

FAQ

Which preset should I start with?

Enhance unless you already know the image is unusually soft, noisy, or needs a larger export.

Should I change export format often?

No. JPEG is the normal default. Switch formats only when the delivery need changes.

Can I use extra cleanup and extra sharpening together?

Yes, but lightly. Small finishing passes usually look better than strong combinations.

How far should I push the tone controls?

As little as possible. They work best as final corrections, not as dramatic restyling tools.

Next Steps

Related Pages

Jump back into the workspace or use the other photo-focused pages.

Next Steps