Disclaimer: Everyday we learn more. We know we still have a long way to go but we’re happy to share what we’re doing so far if it can help you capture images your brides will love.
Photoshop.
How do you feel about the word?
Some cringe at the word. But you may be surprised what a “photoshopped” image may actually mean.
Now, definitely, there are some who do extensive layering in Photoshop and include textures, colors, and items that weren’t originally in the photo to create the final product.
But when people hire a professional to capture a beautiful “natural” look, you’d be surprised how much “photoshopping” is done to come down to that beautiful…natural looking photo.
items we may “photoshop” from a typical print
- acne
- scars
- dark eyebags
- red eyes (from tiredness or drinking)
- red skin (definitely from drinking)
- yellow teeth (coffee and tea stains)
- stray hairs
- tan lines
- skin blemishes (which everyone has naturally)
- folds of skin
- mascara/makeup runs
- dirt/dust/hair that naturally gets on the lens throughout the day
- exit signs
- random debris in the background (i.e. litter, water bottles, bags, gum, etc)
We’re sure you photographers can think of more that you’ve noticed as you work an image
…and all of this gets edited out before even working on exposure, contrast, color, noise reduction and sharpness.
But a common question we’ve been asked:
What do you do to retouch your photos?
our toolbox
- Adobe Lightroom 3
- Adobe Photoshop CS4
- Get Totally Rad (this was great when we were starting out and needed to learn the quick fixes but we’ve been using this less and less as we’ve learned how to utilize Photoshop)
Wanna see an example?
before
This photo was our sneak peek from Chathri + Asif’s fashionable Malibu engagement and is the raw image, straight out of the camera.
f2.8 1/250 ISO 200
We had originally intended to have it be a silhouette image. But, sometimes, you can play in Lightroom and discover something much better.
after
Lightroom:
- Increase Exposure
- Increase Contrast
- Increase Clarity
- Increase Vibrance
- Crop
Photoshop:
- Healing Brush Tool to remove blemishes
- Pro Retouch of Get Totally Rad
- Levels
- Curves (used about 5 different layers of curves to color correct skin and darken and brighten various parts of the image)
- High Pass (to sharpen hair, eyes, earrings and lips)
Here’s another example that may be less obvious of what’s been retouched at first glance.
before
after
Lightroom:
- Increase Contrast
- Increase Clarity
- Noise Reduction
- Sharpening
Photoshop:
- Healing Brush Tool to remove blemishes
- Pro Retouch of Get Totally Rad
- Curves (used about 5 different layers of curves to color correct skin and darken and brighten various parts of the image and especially the folds in the dress for more dramatic effect)
- High Pass (to sharpen hair, eyes and lips)
before close up
after close up
The differences will be MOST notable once printed. Prints are so much less forgiving than the monitor. With the retouching, the colors of the skin will be richer, more accurate. The skin will be smoother. The dress will pop more. Her hair and her accessories, eyes, and lips will be much more detailed.
It’s definitely a lot more work put into it than your clients will realize but it makes all the difference in creating that lasting, lifelong, beautiful quality.
some great resources
There are so many awesome resources out there for those who want to learn how to retouch their photos! These are some of our favorite spots that you’ve gotta check out:
- David Nightingale’s CreativeLIVE Dramatic Postproduction
- Get Totally Rad
- SLR Lounge Post Production Tutorials
Submit your Photog FAQs to studio@dparkphotography.com.
Nice work guys!