Magazine Ready Images
Retouching and Why it’s used…
I’m a bit of a perfectionist (to a fault) and I will not quit working on an image until I could see it posted 60 feet high in Time Square…and not find a single flaw. Yes, it takes more time to hand edit every piece of trash on the ground, outplaced strand of hair or lint on a black suit, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Mostly because I would want it done for me. Every photographer takes to their images differently. Some might do a few seconds of light editing work for color correction and tone. Others might spend hours, or even days on one image. For me, the way I think of it is that you’re commissioning an artist to produce images for you, and you expect this work to be perfect. These images represent you and your brand, so why wouldn’t you want to put your best foot forward? There are many reasons why we photographers retouch an image, but for me it’s a vital tool in getting you the best possible image and I will spend anywhere from 10-20 hours retouching a client’s session.
So, you ‘re booking a Lifestyle session with me and that means that you will be photographed and posed in an array of ways as well as locations. Sometimes there’ll be a few objects in the background, strands of hairs in your face or a tag showing from time to time, and we just can’t have that. It’s my method to pose each client strategically to promote outstanding features regardless of wind, rain or shine, but I will always utilize my retouching practices to enhance the images that I’m producing to their ultimate potential. Photoshop is not some taboo tool that some people make it out to be. It’s part of the job and it’s absolutely vital in getting you the best images possible.
RAW files…Can I have them?
Nah. Not even once. Never. There’s a little saying in our industry, “you can’t eat a half baked cake.” It refers to the images we take with our camera. If your photographer is doing it right, they’ll be shooting your images on to a RAW file format, which can be opened with software programs like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Bridge or Adobe Camera Raw. There are other programs, but this is what I use. The files are then Edited/”Baked” with the retouching “recipe” of the Photographer’s Choosing. The images are then converted to a JPEG format for easier accessibility, storage, sharing and printing. Never will I share my RAW image files with a client. Please, don’t even ask. The answer will always be no…or some ridiculous $$$$. I would be giving my Copyright to the images away and vulnerable to an outsider editing my work. For most Professional Photographers, sharing their RAW files is an absolute non-starter. Allowing a client to edit their work, also a non-starter. Trust in what you hired your photographer for.
Retouching Practices
Standard retouching practices includes general color correction, contrast and sharpening to the overall images. I always perform gentle skin smoothing and de-blotching techniques that include minor blemish removal and gentle under-eye smoothing and brightening. I will do minor body manipulations for areas affected by posing and clothing. A small waist cinch if clothing is creating a widening effect to the client’s silhouette. I might bring in an arm that has been flattened against the body, or a minor chin tuck if being photographed from below…which, let’s just not do that. There’s a special place in hell for bad angles.
A la Carte…
Retouching that involves tattoos, scars, moles/ beauty marks, major stretch marks and/or total body reconstructions are not included in standard retouching, but can be requested at an additional charge per image. Other types of retouching requests may be denied due to personal branding, time limitations or inability to meet request. These are your images to keep forever and I want you to be sublimely happy with them, so I will always try to meet a client’s request.
Wanting less or Requesting More…
A client can always choose to opt out of “body manipulation” retouching or request additional work be done, but all images from Kinsey V Photography will be color corrected, sharpened and retouched to the photographer’s discretion. The photographer has the right to edit their images as they see fit, but the client’s needs and/or requests are what is most important to me and I will always do my best to meet them or guide a client in the right direction. The way I see it is that the client is always right and I will be at your service to the best of my abilities, but if you’re looking for some overly edited, crazy fake looking fluff, then I might not be the right fit for you. I’d like to add that additional editing by the client or otherwise is not permitted either.
