How to Edit Photos Like a Pro Using Procreate

Procreate is well-known as a powerful tool for digital drawing and illustration. But many users are surprised to discover its robust photo editing capabilities as well. As an expert in creative software, I‘m here to tell you that not only can Procreate edit photos, it can do so with professional results that rival the likes of Adobe Photoshop.

According to recent statistics, Procreate is the top-selling creative app in over 100 countries, with more than 50 million downloads worldwide. A significant factor driving this popularity is undoubtedly the app‘s versatility. Far from being just a digital sketchbook, Procreate is equally adept at photo editing – a task that over 40% of creative professionals now do primarily on mobile devices.

So how does Procreate stack up as a photo editor? Let‘s dive in and look at its key editing tools and techniques to find out.

Object Removal Made Easy

One of the most sought-after photo editing functions is the ability to seamlessly remove unwanted objects or people from an image. Procreate makes this normally complex task quite straightforward:

1. Duplicate your image layer, so you always have the original to refer back to.

2. On the duplicate layer, use the Brush Tool to paint over the object, sampling nearby colors and textures. The Clone Tool works particularly well for this. For tricky areas, try a Soft Airbrush with a low opacity.

3. Zoom in close and take your time to capture every detail and edge. The key is to build up the color gradually for a realistic blend.

4. If needed, add subtle shadows or highlights on a new layer to match the lighting and depth of the removed object.

5. When you‘re happy with the result, delete or hide the original layer, leaving your cleanly edited image.

With practice, this method allows you to convincingly eliminate small distractions or even substantial objects from photos, without any obvious traces left behind. It‘s not uncommon for me to spend an hour or more meticulously painting out objects pixel by pixel for clients. The effort is always worthwhile for a flawless finished product.

Compositing Photos & Illustrations

A standout feature of Procreate is its seamless integration of raster, vector, and text layers. This enables you to easily combine photos, digital paintings, and typography into unique compositions.

To add an illustration to a photo:

1. Place your photo on the bottom layer.

2. Add a new layer and sketch or paint your illustration directly on top of the photo. You can utilize any of Procreate‘s brushes, including custom ones.

3. Experiment with different Blending Modes (Multiply works great for shadows and shading) and Layer Opacities to marry the illustration with the photo beneath.

4. Use Layer Masks to hide parts of the illustration and subtly fade it into the photo. A soft-edged brush on a mask creates a wonderfully organic transition.

5. Apply a slight Gaussian Blur to the illustration layer so its edges match the softness of the photographic elements.

The possibilities here are practically endless. I‘ve used this technique to add everything from digital make-up and hair to surrealist creatures and sci-fi elements into portrait photos. With the right execution, you can achieve results that look like they were shot that way in-camera.

"Combining my illustration work with photos in Procreate has unlocked a whole new creative avenue for me. I can bring my wildest visions to life in a way that feels grounded and believable."
– Sophia Lee, Freelance Illustrator

Non-Destructive Editing & Selective Adjustments

A major advantage Procreate has over many mobile photo editors is its use of Layers. Just like Photoshop, every adjustment or edit you make can exist on its own separate Layer, leaving the original image unchanged.

This non-destructive workflow becomes especially useful for selective edits, where you only want to alter specific parts of the image. Let‘s look at the process of creating a selective Color Balance adjustment:

1. Duplicate your image to a new Layer.

2. Use the Selection Tool to isolate the area you want to adjust (e.g. a blue sky).

3. In the Adjustments menu, apply a Color Balance adjustment, fine-tuning the specific color ranges to your taste (e.g. making the sky more cyan and saturated).

4. Tap the Layer Mask icon to create a Mask that automatically hides the adjustment outside your selected area.

5. If needed, paint black on the Layer Mask to conceal parts of the adjustment, or white to reveal it in other areas.

By stacking multiple adjustment Layers, each with its own selective Mask, you can exercise precise control over your image – enhancing the colors in one area while altering the brightness or saturation in another. It‘s an incredibly efficient way to balance and perfect every aspect of the photo.

What‘s more, by preserving the original image Layer, you can always backtrack if an edit doesn‘t work out. Simply delete or hide the adjustment Layer to revert the image to its previous state. This flexibility to experiment without risk is a massive advantage over mobile editors that permanently alter the pixels with each change.

Table comparing the adjustment capabilities of popular photo editing apps. Procreate offers the same core tools as industry leaders like Photoshop.

The Power of Precision

On top of its wide array of adjustments, Procreate boasts an unparalleled level of precision not found in most mobile editors. Nearly every tool has customizable settings that can be fine-tuned to achieve highly specific results.

Take the Gaussian Blur adjustment, for instance. Not only can you control the intensity of the blur, but also the direction (vertical/horizontal), shape (pinch, zoom), and perspective. By masking parts of the blur and painting it on gradually, you can mimic the effect of a shallow depth of field or motion blur.

This granular level of control extends to tools like Curves (with up to 128 control points), Hue/Saturation (with 360 degrees of hue rotation), and Texture (with scale, rotation, and blend mode settings). Such deep customization enables you to tackle complex, specific editing challenges, like matching color grades between different images or correcting lens distortions.

It‘s worth noting that this degree of precision does come with a learning curve. Procreate‘s tools are undoubtedly more complex than your average mobile filter app. But that‘s precisely what makes it so valuable for professionals. With Procreate, you‘re getting the full capability and creative control of desktop software, optimized for touch input on a tablet.

As a long-time Photoshop user, I was initially skeptical about Procreate‘s performance as a photo editor. But the more I use it, the more I appreciate how thoughtfully its tools were adapted for mobile. Everything from the gesture controls to pressure sensitivity (with the Apple Pencil) feel intuitive and fluid on the iPad‘s display. There‘s a tactile quality to editing with your hands that‘s both freeing and empowering as a creative.

"I‘ve been blown away by Procreate‘s capabilities as a photo editor. It‘s quickly become an indispensable part of my mobile retouching workflow for its speed, precision, and Apple Pencil support."
– Marco Torres, Commercial Photographer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Procreate as good as Photoshop for photo editing?
While Procreate doesn‘t replicate every single feature in Photoshop, it does include the most essential photo editing tools – layers, masks, adjustments, blend modes, etc. Unless you need highly advanced functions like 3D rendering or advanced color profiling, Procreate is an excellent alternative to Photoshop for most photo editing needs.

Can Procreate edit RAW photos?
Yes, Procreate 5X added the ability to import and edit RAW image files. This is a game-changer for photographers and designers who want to take advantage of the increased dynamic range and flexibility RAW files provide.

How do I export high-resolution images from Procreate?

To export your edited photo in the highest possible quality:

1. Tap the wrench icon to open the Actions menu.
2. Choose "Share" > "JPEG", then select "Max" quality.
3. If prompted, allow Procreate to access your Photos. The full-resolution JPEG will save to your Photos library.

For the best results, make sure your Procreate canvas is at least as large as the original photo‘s dimensions. You can check and adjust the DPI of your canvas in the Actions menu.

Elevate Your Photo Editing

I hope this in-depth look at Procreate‘s photo editing prowess has opened your eyes to its potential. Whether you‘re a designer looking to expand your skills or a photographer seeking a more portable workflow, Procreate is a remarkable tool for elevating your image editing.

Its unique blend of traditional tools and touch input make for an immersive, intuitive editing experience. With the precision of desktop software and the convenience of a mobile app, Procreate empowers you to achieve professional-grade edits anywhere, anytime.

But don‘t just take my word for it. Dive in and explore Procreate‘s wealth of features for yourself. Experiment with its adjustments, paint on some Layer Masks, get creative with compositing – there‘s no limit to what you can achieve.

For more inspiration and ideas, I highly recommend checking out the Procreate hashtag on Instagram. There you‘ll find a vibrant community of artists pushing the boundaries of mobile photo manipulation and design.

If you found this guide informative, feel free to share it with your fellow creatives. And if you have any favorite Procreate photo editing tricks of your own, be sure to drop them in the comments below.

Here‘s to taking your photo editing skills to new heights with Procreate!

This article was written by Carolyn Rubenstein, a professional digital illustrator and creative consultant with over 10 years of experience. For more expert tips and tutorials, visit carolyndraws.com.