Retouching

Larger versions below

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One of the greatest joys of being a retoucher is creating images that achieve incredible results. Retouching encompasses a myriad of skills and techniques. Sometimes, we simply remove dirt, wires and props on photographs to give a cleaner look. Other times, we reprocess the RAW images and ensure that the highlights are not blown-out. Reprocessing and retouching an image, can go from simple to time-consuming in seconds.
Our job is never dull. Read on or check out the portfolio section.

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Retouching Images of People

Manipulating and retouching people and models is one of the most challenging things we work on. Retouching skin is an art-form that can take years to learn and be really comfortable doing. The modelling industry has been using retouchers for years, and still do.

As far as retouching people is concerned, the learning never stops. There is very little that we cannot do digitally. We can rebalance lighting, change the mood of an image, clean blemishes and remove stray hairs. We can even rebuild a cropped image. Sounds simple, right? “Have the technology – will retouch.” But, what if you remove a stray hair from an area on the face, and then have to replace that area with skin? Skintones are the hardest to retouch correctly because they vary greatly on each person. The areas you remove must be replaced and carefully matched, giving a natural look. We don’t use filters, like on Instagram. We never make people look plastic. In our business, it is usually all about ‘natural’.

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The sliders above give a good example of the type of retouching we do. It is not all gorgeous models and clothes, as you can see. Some of the most intricate images are the what look like simple room sets. Without the skills of a retoucher, the client would have to build set upon set in the studio and spend many more hours getting each shot perfect in camera. It is a huge economic advantage to be able to do it digitally. Have a peek at the portfolio section for the Kiddicare Room Sets. Here you can see the mark-up’s (instructions) for the retoucher, from the Art Director.

The image manipulation industry that we are in mainly uses Photoshop to achieve these excellent results because frankly, it works.

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Click through at your leisure below

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FOR FURTHER SAMPLES OF OUR RETOUCHING WORK – Visit the portfolio section.