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I have a Nikon d5300 and I mostly shoot handheld and I have been wondering what the best way to edit photos might be, or if I should even edit them at all?

here's a few random unedited photos I have taken

I like photo 1, though it feels like there's a bit too much going on; it's hard to know what the subject is. 2 is not a super interesting shot, and the on camera flash makes it look flat as on camera flash always does. 3 is nice, though it could do with a bit more contrast and clarity. 4 is not super interesting, and also, I don't feel like turning my head sideways to give it a good look. The last one is good, but I would have moved to the right a bit to center the painting between the walls and gotten closer so that pallet or whatever that is on the left side wouldn't have been in the way.
I use Lightroom for post processing, and that's what I would suggest, but I believe there are some free programs out there as well you could try out. If you're serious about post, which you should be if you're serious about photography, you should always shoot in raw (or raw+jpg if you prefer) so you have more capability to process your pictures without losing data.

#1 Obviously stage, not that that's a sin, but not liking the clutter or arrangement. Nicely squared off though. The shot should have been further back; too close. Lines coming into the middle rather than at the corners detract from it as well.

#2 That blur on the top left kills it.

#3 I like this shot a lot.
You got some lens distortion going on in the edges which is no sin as it can't be prevented and can be shopped out. Canon's DPP app supports correction of its L lens.

Aside (and on it's side) from documentary value if any, #4 isn't a keeper in my opinion.
The subject is weak and the trees bury it.

#5 The sunlight and lines are interesting. Not sure without being there how I would framed it but the shot looks to a bit too high. Again pay attention to the corners. It looks a little too "evened out", like those lines on the left wall. One should have fallen dead on a corner. Maybe more angle on the shot and lose the trash in the top right corner... or crop it a bit to get that.

That piece of wood in front of the tag probably be better gone. It wasn't helping with the composition... I don't think.

Thanks for the input! I actually got lightroom and photoshop recently. I have only used photoshop so far, and here are a couple of the same photos I have edited in photoshop. So out of curiosity, would you say that these photos are better off being unedited or edited differently with lightroom?

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I'm not on a calibrated monitor...

The recently edited shots are flatter, colours less punchy. It works with the projector shot but the other 2 were better in the original post.

From the original post:
1 - Too busy and tightly framed. I would have zoomed out a bit, probably removed the dummy in the back and applied the rule of 3rds. I think the flowers in the front should be in focus too.

2 - Not a keeper, in my opinion. The use of flash and the underside of the benches on the left are doing nothing for me. Had I been there and absolutely wanted a shot of the pins, I would have moved them and staged a scene in a better spot.

3 - Sweet shot with the perspective and leading lines. However, the distortion and angle (looks a bit crooked to me) are taking away from it. I'd use Lens Correction, in Lr (pick Manual) or in Ps (pick Custom). I'd also kill a bit of the blue/purple tones from the floor so it's a bit more neutral.

4 - Not a keeper either. Framed too tight, too busy, subject is kinda lost in there.

5 - Interesting shot, liking the leading lines on the left but would have centred the graffiti vertically. I would have also aligned the graff to the right using the rule of 3rds and angled the shot a bit to take advantage of the wall on the left.

My opinion anyway, photography is pretty subjective.

Posted by blackhawk I'm not on a calibrated monitor...

I am

The first set looks better on my uncalibrated Android.
Imagine that.

#2 look a lot better if you loose the mouth at the top, that paper or whatever in the lower right, reframe the shot further out.
You can always crop an image down, but can't add what you didn't capture...

Posted by sQualie The recently edited shots are flatter, colours less punchy. It works with the projector shot but the other 2 were better in the original post. From the original post: 1 - Too busy and tightly framed. I would have zoomed out a bit, probably removed the dummy in the back and applied the rule of 3rds. I think the flowers in the front should be in focus too. 2 - Not a keeper, in my opinion. The use of flash and the underside of the benches on the left are doing nothing for me. Had I been there and absolutely wanted a shot of the pins, I would have moved them and staged a scene in a better spot. 3 - Sweet shot with the perspective and leading lines. However, the distortion and angle (looks a bit crooked to me) are taking away from it. I'd use Lens Correction, in Lr (pick Manual) or in Ps (pick Custom). I'd also kill a bit of the blue/purple tones from the floor so it's a bit more neutral. 4 - Not a keeper either. Framed too tight, too busy, subject is kinda lost in there. 5 - Interesting shot, liking the leading lines on the left but would have centred the graffiti vertically. I would have also aligned the graff to the right using the rule of 3rds and angled the shot a bit to take advantage of the wall on the left. My opinion anyway, photography is pretty subjective. I am

Thanks for your input I did not expect such detailed responses, I love it! Anyway I suppose you are right about photography being subjective since I'm really digging the less vibrant photos more, but I really appreciate your opinion

Posted by Leo Neblung Thanks for your input I did not expect such detailed responses, I love it! Anyway I suppose you are right about photography being subjective since I'm really digging the less vibrant photos more, but I really appreciate your opinion

Glad you appreciate. I'm on no way trying to tell you what to do but sometimes getting someone else's perspective helps us see scenes differently and ultimately improve our craft. Like Blackhawk and I mentioned, it's better to shoot wider and crop in post than shoot tight and regret later. Shooting a little wide also helps when you need to do some lens and perspective corrections.

Can't wait to see more of your work!

Posted by sQualie Glad you appreciate. I'm on no way trying to tell you what to do but sometimes getting someone else's perspective helps us see scenes differently and ultimately improve our craft. Like Blackhawk and I mentioned, it's better to shoot wider and crop in post than shoot tight and regret later. Shooting a little wide also helps when you need to do some lens and perspective corrections. Can't wait to see more of your work!

I agree, I'm very glad to be getting different perspectives from the people on this forum, and thanks Ill also try the shooting wider idea out

I would have loved if in the picture with eh green trees you have someone looming in the doorway for that extra creepy factor