Photography Retouch and Post Production

I started retouching in 2004 and have worked for 2 fast paced photography studios primarily doing retouch and imaging. My discussion is how important a good retoucher can be to your organization and how they can maintain and ensure that your images stay at a high level should you invest in training. I know in small units the photographer does the majority, but we can't do everything on our own Im learning as I juggle the process my self. While learning photoshop, I helped an organization grow and in 2005 and 2006 I was putting out over 250 High School Senior images to lab per week. I was not converting from RAW at the time but still doing all the basics in Photoshop. I took pride in my attention to detail and fell in love with the Adobe Suit. I helped this new studio with their imaging, who were later featured in Photographers of America for their success which was great to hear. With this organization I worked as a satellite unit able to work from home and around my private life which gave me the balance I want in my world. They did however get too busy for just one retoucher and had to make decision's, I was hoping to train and recruit retouchers who had the same desire to be the best however the universe took me on a different journey, which I am grateful for. I then had the great fortune to work for another very successful studio, again high end fast paced, for families, kids, babies and pregnancy. I was given the opportunity to work part time as a satellite unit from home while I balance my life. I was now to see what it is to work for a Photographer who took time to set up their camera settings. Taking pride and their knowledge of light gave me the insight to setting white balance and correcting color at that point, rather than in post as they say. I then learnt the difference between good and just so photography and took my retouch to another level. This was when I starting working from RAW a whole new side of things. With capture one and the Adobe lightroom we are now in a whole different place. All these programs and the way the internet is working, its even more important to have that behind the scenes person, who has the ability to take your images from raw and then be able to post on the web and to print. With high attention to detail in respect to color, exposure, curves, vignette's, layer's and care not to destroy the vision the photographer had, your reprints should be at a minimum and the end quality high. Stream lining your actions and keeping things simple will help speed the work flow, some of these organizations had over 50 actions in their house pallets as someone new to the organizations it can be complicated. It seems within this side of the business turn over is high with retouchers coming and going or looking to move into the photography side making the end product inconsistent. There are some of us who like doing the art work but are forced into other areas for the need of decent pay.

With the photography world changing continuously and the request for albums, coffee table books, brag books, high gloss publication's, the call for a retoucher who has graphics too is needed. The all encompassing Imaging department is constantly trying to keep up. I have noticed that a lot of the print companies are offering these services at a cost and with limited templates making your work look the same as other's. Photography is very much about style and being different.

As a retoucher not just out of school I feel that there is a huge need for highly qualified retouchers who can go between the adobe suit programs, Indesign, Lightroom, Photoshop and simple web applications, its time for change in this area and there are individual who are highly talented and can do this.

This is to recognize all those retouchers who rock.

Just thoughts on something I feel passionate about.