A Complete Guide to Image Editing with Shutterstock Editor

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Discover ways to edit your images easily with Shutterstock Editor in this step-by-step guide. Image editing has never been easier.

Image editing may seem daunting for some people, especially for beginners or those who aren’t familiar with it. You need to purchase image editing software, install it on your computer, then learn how to edit images using that software. Seems like the thing that only designers could do!

We at Shutterstock heard you and acted on this concern. Shutterstock Editor is here to make your life easier. You don’t need to have any design software on your computer, or have any special design skill or know-how. With this design tool, beginners will be able to edit images easily, and pros will find this a quicker, simpler image editing tool. Just head over to the website and edit your images online. Now anyone can edit images!

In this guide, we’ll explore eleven different techniques you can implement when customizing your images with Shutterstock Editor. Whether it’s cropping or adding text with some pre-made design templates, Shutterstock Editor can perform basic editing needs, as well as add some pro-level custom design to spice up that image. You’ll be able to edit images in Shutterstock Editor like a pro in no time.


What Is Image Editing?

Image editing is the process of modifying images to improve the overall quality of the image. You can accomplish this with an editing software in various ways, such as reducing unwanted elements or background noise, adding messages through text, or altering colors via filters and effects.

With Shutterstock Editor, you can use your own image, or browse through the extensive collection of stock images inside the Shutterstock Editor. It has multiple options for ready-to-use design templates, making it even easier to customize an image. If you need to get a point across to viewers, you can add some creative elements, such as emojis or text bubbles, in one simple click. There’s really no limit to the ways you can customize your images.


Add Text to an Image

Adding text to an image is a handy way to convey a message clearly. If you’re writing on a professional product image with compelling promotional text, or writing on your portrait with a quirky caption to spice up your Facebook profile, Shutterstock Editor can make that happen. It has a diverse selection of fonts to choose from, as well as predesigned templates to kickstart your creative process.

Before/After Adding Text
Adding text to an image is a handy way to convey a message clearly. Image via marukopum.

To add text with Shutterstock Editor, simply click on the A icon on the left toolbar. Then, you can change the font, adjust the size, layout, and position, or change the color. Learn more about adding text to your designs with our detailed guide.

Adding Text ExampleAdding Text Example
Adding text to an image quick and easy. Image via marukopum.

Resize Images

Let’s say you want to post on Instagram, but the image is sized for a Twitter post. But, you post it anyway. Oh no, now your image is automatically cropped and weirdly blurred!

Posting an incorrectly-sized image can make your brand look less professional. Even if you maintain all your other posts harmoniously, this one image could give viewers a sense that you don’t know what you’re doing. So, to avoid this, you need to know how to resize your image properly.

Before/After Resizing ImageBefore/After Resizing Image
Resizing your images to fit your chosen platform is essential in appearing professional. Image via Victoria Denisova.

All social media platforms—Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.—have different image specifications. With Shutterstock Editor, you don’t need to Google the pixel sizes of the different social media platforms. Instead, you’ll find it has the exact specifications of your chosen platform ready for you in one click. Simply click on Canvas Size on top of the menu to choose one of the many image size templates. Learn more about how you can resize images quickly.

Resizing an ImageResizing an Image
Shutterstock Editor has the exact specifications of your chosen platform. Image via Victoria Denisova.

Crop Images

Cropping an image is the removal of unwanted areas from a photograph or illustrated image. You might want to crop an image for several different reasons, including:

  • Eliminating visual distractions and highlighting your subject
  • Improving a photo’s framing and accentuating its subject
  • Changing the aspect ratio to prepare for sharing through different social media platforms
Before/After CropBefore/After Crop
Cropping an image to improve the photo’s framing and accentuate its subject. Image via CYC.

So, to crop an image, simply click on the Crop icon on the top menu and you’ll be able to choose different shapes and change the crop area to your desired aspect ratio. Use this guide to get the hang of cropping your images effectively.

Cropping ImagesCropping Images
Clicking on the Crop icon will allow you to crop an image in different shapes and sizes. Image via CYC.

Photo Filters

Studies have found that filtered photos are far more likely to be viewed than unfiltered images. Editor makes applying a color filter simple and easy. From classic “black and white” to color-rich “nickel” to cool “argon” and more, Shutterstock Editor has plenty of filters for you to choose from.

Just click on the Filters icon and you’ll be able to scroll through the different filters to experiment. After choosing the filter, adjust the intensity to make it as bold or mild as you like. Explore more details about using photo filters.

Applying a FilterApplying a Filter
Shutterstock Editor has a good deal of filters for you to choose from in a simple click-and-scroll. Image via Excellent Backgrounds.

Add Effects to Photos

So you have the perfect photo, but it’s too dark. This portrait looks cool, but the color just isn’t right. The picture is good, but it’s a bit dull and boring. To improve these photos to your desired aesthetic, you can add effects to them.

Photo effects are an artistic way to alter your image. These filters and other presets can add textures, light leaks, and other playful qualities to photos. You can also use filters to add a vintage look or increase drama, making your photo far from boring.

Before/After EffectsBefore/After Effects
Adding effects to an image can alter your image artistically. Image via SantaLiza.

To add an effect to your picture, click on the Effects icon and play around by scrolling on the different parameters under the Effects menu. Get creative and experiment with colors, hue, and brightness. You’ll be surprised with the unique outcome. Here’s more about how to add effects to photos.

Adding EffectsAdding Effects
Click on Effects and play around with the brightness, contrast, and colors to achieve the effect you desire. Image via SantaLiza.

Change Hue and Color

Color has the power to instantly convey a wordless message. In Shutterstock Editor, you can change the color of your photo easily. You can adjust it to match your brand color, the color of the season, or compliment the text that you want to place on the image.

Before/After HueBefore/After Hue
Change the color to make it seasonal relevant. Image via ju_see.

To change the hue and color, scroll to Hue Rotation, then play around with the Saturation to adjust the depth of the color. Here’s a detailed guide about changing hue and color.

Altering the HueAltering the Hue
The hue rotation can modify the color and saturation can adjust the depth of the colors. Image via ju_see.

Add Vignette

Vignette may sound like a fancy word, but to add vignette to a photo simply means adding some soft darkness on the corners of the photo. Adding vignette will transform the mood of your photo, making it look deeper and more compelling.

Before/After VignetteBefore/After Vignette
Adding vignette means adding some soft darkness to the corners of the photo. Image via sunfe.

Adding vignette is a part of the Effects menu in Shutterstock Editor. Adjust the intensity of the vignette to look bold or mild by simply scrolling on the intensity toggle under it. Learn even more about adding vignette to your images.

Adjusting VignetteAdjusting Vignette
The adjustable Vignette can be applied by clicking on the Effects menu. Image via sunfe.

Blur Image

Blur refers to the hazy, out-of-focus aspects of an image. Blurring the background of an image will attract the viewer’s gaze to the main subject. That’s why this effect is useful in making sure our subject—whether it’s text, the main image, or other elements—stands out from the rest of the picture.

Before/After BlurBefore/After Blur
Blurring the background will make any object on top of it stand out. Image via Timofey Zadvornov.

The Blur option is also available under the Effects menu, with an adjustable intensity that allows you to increase or decrease the blurriness. Here’s how to blur images in Editor in a few quick steps.

Adjusting BlurAdjusting Blur
The adjustable Blur option is available under the Effects menu. Image via Timofey Zadvornov.

Add Border

An image border is an outline that frames a picture. Not only will adding a border to an image make it look more finished, the image inside it will also stand out more. In Shutterstock Editor, you can add borders to your images in various different styles. From a thin dotted pencil mark to a thick solid polaroid border, the borders in Shutterstock Editor are fully adjustable to suit your image needs.

Before/After BorderBefore/After Border
A border makes the image inside it stand out. Image via tigerman.

To add an image border, click on the image and select the border icon. You can adjust the colors, line type, and adjust the weight of the border. Follow this step-by-step tutorial to add borders to your image quickly and easily.

Adding a BorderAdding a Border
The border tool in Shutterstock Editor is fully adjustable to suit your needs. Image via tigerman.

Flip Image

Editors flip images for two different reasons. First, an upside down or mirrored image is flipped to correct the unusual orientation of the image. Second, a normal image is flipped to purposely counteract the mind’s natural tendency to see what’s expected, as opposed to what’s actually there. By flipping the image, you can edit without being distracted by the actual content of the image.

Before/After Flipped ImageBefore/After Flipped Image
An image is purposely flipped to create an unexpected view point. Image via Irine and Andrew.

In Shutterstock Editor, you can flip an image horizontally, creating a mirrored effect of the photo. Or, you can flip it vertically, creating an upside down version of the photo instead. Here’s our detailed guide about flipping images.


Check out these additional articles about Shutterstock Editor to learn even more about editing your own images:

Top image via Excellent backgrounds.



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