From Post-Processing to Post-Processing

Name: From Post-Processing to Post-Processing
ISBN: 9787301279014

叶明Peking University Press · ChinaAug 2025

3.6

Word count: 78K words
Chapters: 91
ISBN: 9787301279014

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Summary

This book takes a unique approach to teaching photo post-processing: it starts by observing a photograph, identifying the post-processing techniques used, then replicating them through simulation to achieve the same or a better result. This teaching method gives photography enthusiasts a fresh perspective and new way to learn post-processing.

The book covers: building your database, the basic tools you need to know, common paths to results, and our goal of conquering the stars and the sea. It is suitable for readers with some foundation in post-processing software.

Editor's review

What sets this book apart is that it does not teach post-processing through software function menus. Instead, it begins with "observing a photograph": first judging what post-processing techniques were used in the image, then recreating the operations through simulation to achieve the same or better results. This reverse-engineering approach helps photography enthusiasts with some software foundation break free from the passive habit of "memorizing parameters and applying presets" and gradually build their own judgment. The book also covers building a database, essential tools, and common paths to achieving results, placing post-processing back within the photographic workflow rather than treating it as isolated retouching tricks. Its barrier to entry is that readers need to already be familiar with basic post-processing software operations; otherwise, the simulation steps can easily become stumbling blocks. It suits photographers who have been shooting for a while and can do basic color grading but feel they lack direction in editing, using it for self-assessment and restructuring their post-processing thinking. When reading, it is recommended to do recreation exercises with your own photos rather than simply following the book's examples once through.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Photography enthusiasts who already know basic post-processing software operations and want to develop independent editing thinking
Photographers accustomed to applying presets and memorizing parameters who want to understand the logic of post-processing judgment
Readers willing to do recreation exercises with their own photos and seeking transferable methods
Photographers interested in photo observation and visual analysis who want to improve their image-reading skills

Not a good fit for

Complete beginners with no exposure to post-processing, who may struggle to follow the simulation operations
Users who only want to quickly apply filters and presets and are unwilling to analyze image techniques
Readers expecting a systematic explanation of all software function menus; this book does not focus on listing functions

Reading tips

First select a few of your own satisfactory photos, judge the post-processing techniques using the book's method, then simulate and recreate them, comparing the differences.
When reading about essential tools and common paths to achieving results, compile your own tool list, noting what problem each tool solves.
The chapter on building a database can be practiced alongside your own photo library; organize folders and screening criteria while reading.
For each technique learned, try two different recreation paths with the same original photo and record which one gets closer to the effect you want.

About the publisher

Peking University Press China · Founded in 1979

Peking University Press is a comprehensive university press whose publishing areas cover classical literature, popular science, social culture, world history, Western philosophy, and culture. Its catalogue contains 6,031 titles, with representative books including A Dream of Red Mansions, Relativity: The Special and General Theory (15th Edition) (with Einstein's classic papers on unified field theory and other topics), Elements, Conics, The Aristocratic Families of the Eastern Jin, The Philosophy of Mythology (Volume I), The Philosophy of Mythology (Volume II), and The Origin of Continents and Oceans. Representative authors include Cao Xueqin, Zhou Ruchang, Albert Einstein, Euclid, Apollonius, Tian Yuqing, Schelling, and Xian Gang. The press has developed distinctive strengths in classical Chinese literature and in the translation of Western philosophical classics, while also covering scientific classics and social and cultural studies. As public information is limited, this description is based only on the books in the catalogue and offers no further extrapolation.

版权信息
内容提要
前言
后期手法反向破译路线图
第1章创建自己的数据库
暗角
低光缺失
主色调
色偏
高光缺失
模糊
高对比
HDR
色温
单色
亮度
胶片颗粒
物理刮痕
饱和度
漏光
多重曝光
长曝光
星轨
微缩模型
丁达尔
心形光圈
倒影
星球特效
D&B
中性灰
双曲线
逆光
日系
欧美系
素描
莫奈云
第2章修炼后期内功
直方图
曲线工具
色阶工具
Gamma值工具
混合模式
可选颜色
堆栈
分区调整
第3章达成效果的方法与步骤
实战：暗角
实战：低光缺失
实战：主色调
实战：色偏
实战：高光缺失
实战：模糊
实战：高对比
实战：HDR
实战：色温
实战：单色
实战：亮度
实战：胶片颗粒
实战：物理刮痕
实战：饱和度
实战：漏光
实战：多重曝光
实战：长曝光
实战：星轨
实战：微缩模型
实战：丁达尔
实战：心形光圈
实战：倒影
实战：星球特效
实战：D&B、中性灰、双曲线
实战：逆光
实战：日系
实战：欧美系
实战：素描
实战：莫奈云
第4章征服星辰大海
夏日风格
小清新风格
暗黑风格
欧美风格
潮湿风格
蓝调风格
逆光风格
暗光海洋
明度建筑
第5章后期数据库
可选颜色查询表
曲线查询表
直方图查询表
混合模式查询表
附录常用后期术语

FAQ

Can I read this book directly without a foundation in post-processing software?

The material explicitly states that this book is suitable for readers with some basic experience using post-processing software. The approach of first observing a photo and then simulating operations requires readers to understand where software tools are located and what they basically do; otherwise, they can easily get stuck during the recreation step. Beginners are advised to first build up some introductory software skills, then return to this book, which will make the reading much smoother.

Does this book cover specific software operations or post-processing thinking?

Based on the material, the book's focus is on its teaching approach: first identifying the post-processing techniques used in a photo, then using simulation to achieve the same or better results, while also covering building a database, essential tools, and common paths to achieving results. It leans more toward cultivating post-processing judgment and reverse-engineering thinking rather than listing software function menus one by one.

What is the difference between practicing with your own photos and practicing with the book's examples?

The book's method is to observe first and then simulate and recreate. Practicing with the book's examples lets you compare against standard answers but can easily turn into copying steps. Practicing with your own photos requires you to judge the techniques yourself and choose tools, which is closer to real editing scenarios and makes it easier to spot your own weaknesses in observation and operation. Combining both is recommended.

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About the author

叶明 Author

Ye Ming is an author for whom limited public information is currently available, with two works held in the collection. Judging from their subjects, his writing spans two rather distant fields. In law, his representative work, Research on Difficult Issues in the Implementation of Antitrust Law in the Mobile Internet Sector, examines specific problems in the application and enforcement of antitrust law in the emerging mobile internet industry, making it a specialized study in competition law. In photography, his representative work, From Post-processing to Post-processing, focuses on methods and approaches to image post-processing. The two works are classified under law and photography respectively, suggesting interests and writing that cross both professional research and photographic practice. As reliable records of his birth and death dates, nationality, education, and career are unavailable, this introduction makes no speculation and merely outlines his writing profile based on the works in the collection; readers may consult the original books for further insight into his argumentative style and actual influence.