roroboo

step 1: FIRSTLY. i take into consideration LAYOUT. if there is too much space in one screen i think "what can i put there?" "i have 2 great pics but it's already too many slides.."

helpful tip: you can read up on 'the golden ratio' and 'rule of thirds' if you struggle with where to place images/crop.

step 2: TEXT layout, screens are already more interesting when the viewers eyes are being moved around the image. i use 'warped 'text' in photoshop.

the average person looks at a story photo for a few seconds. (to those of you that read manga think of how long it takes for an artist to draw a panel that you only look at for a few seconds as you're excited to get to the next part...) hence why i usually work harder on single edits than longer story posts

step 3: take into consideration (The "cheerleader effect" a cognitive bias where people perceive individuals as more attractive when they are in a group than when seen alone,) i use this approach with my screenshots, all of my story screens (lately hehe) look cohesive together as opposed to alone i try to ensure the previous slide elevates the next one to not be repetitive 'cause then they're not interesting to look at.

i usually edit story screens in photoshop for efficiency than having to transfer files from ipad to pc, if i have 20 slides i might decide to quickly draw hair in 5 in procreate (or try my luck drawing hair w my mouse) and create a fun illusion for the rest. i do this by using more:

special effects

lighting

cropping or

dynamic text

templates also help me add much more info in my screenshots without 'info dumping' and have super long text (though not always avoidable)

templates: windslar PSD collection, awkwardwhims PSDs, bunnithechubs moodlet psds

step 4: i decide which parts of an image will have more attention to detail when editing and which parts will be relatively basic. this can help a boring screen look less tragic and act as 'support' if the more interesting screen takes the spotlight. (as you can see below i focused my editing towards the female sim (noee) as opposed to the male sim in the top right (lee))

step 5: the parts that save me THE MOST time are not zooming in on the screen every 2 seconds & using the 'dodge & burn' tools in photoshop (the free software Gimp also has these tools) i don't have to create a new layer then change blending modes etc.. i just duplicate the layer and begin 'lightening' or 'burning' the image. (i do this using my mouse, no drawing tablet)

pay attention to the 'exposure' of your brush when using dodge and burn tools, the key is to LAYER the effect not go all in on the first brushstroke (i keep my exposure at around 22%)

step 6: i'll then colour grade the screen but not in 'camera raw filter'

And that's it!! now i feel i edit more efficiently and can add more 'info' into my screens and it works well for my montage style story telling. if i'm being super fast it takes around 7-15 minutes to edit a story screen. 30 mins if i'm feeling crazy.