Dark rooms and chemical developing techniques may have become past times in the age of digital photography and photo editing, but advancements in technology mean more room for innovation and the ability to manipulate images. One popular method of photo editing involves what is known as deep etching. Using this technique means removing an object from its original background. Deep etching allows you compartmentalize photographs and isolate images. For example, you could take a simple picture of a leaf lying on the ground and deep etch the leaf from its background leaving you free to impose that image on a different photo or simply a different background. Deep etching is a straightforward concept that is now easy to execute, thanks to technology. Ultimately, the ability to deep etch objects means that the designer has greater freedom and is not limited by the boundaries of the original photograph.

Another benefit of advancements in photo editing is that technology has made these techniques readily available to amateur photographers and designers through simple to learn programs like Photoshop. Learning how to deep etch is as easy as completing a readily available tutorial through any popular photo editing program.

Aspiring digital artists and designers will also be happy to learn that there is a thriving online community of other artists who are happy to offer advice and instruction. There are three different recommended techniques that will allow you to successfully deep etch an image. Each one involves a certain attention to detail and a willingness to be meticulous. It isn’t as simple as pointing and clicking just yet, but a little patience will go a long way in this case. As far as choosing the best way to deep etch, every expert seems to have their own favorite. Luckily, information and guidance is readily available and all the options can be easily explored and experimented with, leaving you to decide which technique works best based on your project and abilities. It seems that the open exchange of knowledge speaks not only to the passion of these artists, but also to the manner in which new ideas and techniques and spread and perpetuated.

Mastering the art of deep etching may take some time, but learning the technique and completing your first deep etch can be accomplished in less than an hour. This means that the average person with a digital camera and a computer has the opportunity to learn deep etching and apply advanced online photo editing techniques to their own work, whether it be family photos or small business publications. Photography and design is no longer limited by what the photographer can capture through their lens at a particular moment. Digital photography and photo editing has also taken away some of suspense of developing your photos. You can instantly see the results of your shot and avoid the expense of reshoots or wasted film. So while there may be a few hold outs, who enjoy the nostalgia of the dark room and feel of loading film into a camera, the era of digital photography is here and it is available to everyone.