How do you fix skewed photos?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

To fix skewed or crooked photos in Photoshop, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the photo in Photoshop: Start by opening the photo you want to fix in Photoshop. You can do this by going to “File” and selecting “Open,” then navigate to the location of the photo on your computer and click “Open.”

2. Select the “Measure Tool”: In the Photoshop toolbar, you’ll find the “Measure Tool” (keyboard shortcut: “I”). Click and hold on the “Eyedropper Tool” icon to reveal the “Measure Tool” option, and select it.

3. Use the “Measure Tool” to draw a straight line: Look for a line or object in the photo that should be straight, such as a horizon or a building edge. Click and drag the “Measure Tool” along this line, trying to cover as much of it as possible.

4. Choose the “Rotate Canvas – Arbitrary” command: With the “Measure Tool” still selected, go to the top menu and click on “Image.” Scroll down to the “Image Rotation” option, and then select “Arbitrary.” A dialog box will appear.

5. Adjust the rotation angle: In the “Arbitrary Rotation” dialog box, you’ll see an angle value. This value represents the angle needed to straighten the photo. Photoshop should automatically detect the angle based on the line you drew with the “Measure Tool.” If necessary, you can fine-tune the angle manually. Once you’re satisfied, click “OK.”

6. Rotate and straighten the image: After clicking “OK,” Photoshop will rotate the canvas based on the angle you specified. The photo should now appear straightened.

7. Crop the image: Sometimes, straightening the photo can cause uneven edges or unwanted empty spaces. To fix this, select the “Crop Tool” from the toolbar (keyboard shortcut: “C”). Adjust the crop boundaries to remove any unwanted areas, and then press “Enter” or click the checkmark icon in the options bar to apply the crop.

8. Save your fixed photo: Once you’re happy with the straightened and cropped photo, go to “File” and select “Save” or “Save As” to save your changes. Choose a location on your computer and a file format (such as JPEG or PNG) for the saved image.

Remember to save your fixed photo as a new file, so you don’t overwrite the original in case you want to make further edits later.

By following these steps, you can successfully fix skewed or crooked photos using Photoshop. Experiment with different angles and adjustments to achieve the desired result.