1
Open the source image
Choose the clearest version of the image you have and check its orientation before making changes. If the file is already compressed, keep a separate copy so you can return to the original. Give the project a useful name if the editor asks for one.
2
Set the composition
Crop or resize first, because later adjustments are easier when the framing is settled. Match the proportions to the destination: a square post, a wide banner, a portrait story, or a document preview may each need a different composition.
3
Make focused adjustments
Change only what supports the intended result. Correct brightness or contrast, refine color, remove distractions, or add text with readable spacing. Small, deliberate changes usually preserve more detail than stacking many dramatic effects.
4
Review and export
Zoom out to judge the whole image, then zoom in to inspect edges, text, and unwanted marks. Check that the output still looks right on a light and dark background before exporting the version required by your destination.