Q&A: What the heck does retouching mean?

So I have to be honest, I think every single photographer has a different definition of what retouching is. For some, even color correction means it's been retouched. For others, it means at least an hour smoothing and plumping or slimming or...you get the idea.

For me, because we both shoot in RAW, we have to do a little touching, be it "re" or not. Our first "touch" is a quick pass of editing down. That's culling through about 2300 images for an average sized, average event filled day (of course, fewer guests and only having toasts will cut that down a bit!). We aim for 1500 and are thrilled when we have about 1300 to share with the bride and groom.

Next is basic cropping and color correction, which for us is done before our couples ever see their images. It's also when we pick our favorites, and mark anything we think we'd like to enter into contests through WPJA, which forbids any work done on any image submitted. From here, we also decide if images should stay in color, or try different effects, B&W, sepia, cross-processing, etc. We might edit down further, or toss a few that may have sneaked in on the first round.

From here, I do a little bit more of the artsy effects on some of my faves, then they're put into a story order, categorized, renumbered, and converted to JPGs. From here, we upload them to our online proof site, Pictage, for viewing by our newlyweds!

For us, all of the above is NOT considered retouching. It's what everyone gets, and we know that we'd be proud to have our name on it if your guests or your mom decide to buy a print from Pictage.

But - it ain't retouching. It's not a custom art piece. And it certainly is not ready for me to put in your album.

For us, retouching is when we pay special attention to details either by removing what detracts from the image, or enhancing what makes the image special. Sometimes it takes minutes, but with the one I just finished for my '07 couple Jen & Bill's album, it could take a whole hour!

The first image is beautiful as is - her dress was stunning, the light was gorgeous. And that hair! It needed a few things to really make it art. I removed the ceiling lights, the ruined carpet, the mess to her left, pumped up the detailing on her dress, softened the edges, increased the warm saturation, and it's now ready to go on their wall or in their album. THAT is retouching. :D

Every album we do includes all custom retouching for the images, so our albums do take a bit longer. But our clients thankfully don't mind the wait! I have the best couples...

So there you have it. Now, when you ask about "just five hours" on your wedding day, you'll know that your photographer will spend much much more than just five hours on your wedding. But then, a life changing event like that deserves that kind of attention!

Until next time...

Hey, whatcha workin' on? The second in a very long series

Hi! Well, the new year began, it's raining softly outside, and I'm busy creating albums for my clients. What an amazing time!
But I realized that I had really slacked off on accomplishing what I really wanted to do with this blog, which is helping couples with little things here or there about weddings and wedding planning and wedding photography that they might not get from friends or magazines. After all, I see and experience a LOT of weddings.
I've talked earlier about the vital components to a fantastic wedding experience - the planner, the person officiating, and the master of ceremonies. Think about it - you're not planning a big party, you're planning a chance for ALL of your favorite people, most of whom haven't even met before, to help you celebrate a huge milestone. And while you're both the honored guests, you should be just that - guests. The planner (or coordinator, but that's another blog) is the host, the one who runs the show and makes sure that all YOU have to do is show up. The officiant is the one whose job it is to bring your guests into your ceremony and make them feel like they're participating rather than just, well, sitting there. And the master of ceremonies is the one who can read, anticipate, and guide the party fluidly and flawlessly from one part to the next. SO vital!
What I'd like to focus on with this blog is the person who actually marries you. In a way, the officiate is indeed the master of ceremonies for YOUR ceremony. It's up to him or her to bring the audience in so that they feel like they're participating a bit - or keep the focus all about the two of you and treat your guests more as an audience. You should consider how YOU want the ceremony and if there's a way to influence it, get your wants known.
Here are some things to consider when finding the right wedding officiate:

How involved should your guests be?
Maybe you're NOT looking forward to saying your vows in front of everyone. Maybe you'd rather be facing your guests than your officiant. Maybe you'd like to share the experience with your guests. Or maybe you just want someone to say, "Do you? and you?" and be done with it!
Whatever it is, discuss it with each other first, then find someone who fits the bill.

How do you know them?
If it's the parish priest and you don't get a choice, so be it. But then it's on your shoulders to be as open and candid with the priest or pastor to get to know you two a little bit. By knowing a little about you, it can only bring a little personalization to what can be a very rote ceremony. I've seen absolutely fantastic Catholic wedding masses because the priests knew the couple, or saw one of them grow up, and could engage the audience with bits and pieces of their lives.

And while we're talking about officiants...
Keep in mind that any rules your officiant has for photography must agree with your own wishes. So find out those rules before you book them, or their church. You don't want to find out after your wedding that two minutes before the wedding, the officiant said no photos were allowed in the center aisle. And yes, that's happened to me before - even at an OUTDOOR wedding! So find out what those rules are and if you don't like them, speak up.

Cheers!
Rhee

The Corinthian Event Center - Can you say ROMANTIC?

I'm working on Betsy & Quintin's changes for their 14x14 Fine Art flushmount album. Here's a secret about me. I'm a total design nerd. Love it. I love retouching, I love making art out of photography. Yep, I'm a nerd!

So I'm finishing up and realize that more people need to check out the Corinthian Event Center in downtown San Jose. Seriously. That place is just so romantic! Here's a bit from the album. Remember to click on the image to make it bigger!

A little rain, HA! We laugh at it!

Amanda and Zech are quite simply the coolest couple. They didn't care that it was raining. They said p'shah! to rescheduling, and were totally up for wandering around outside around my studio in the Pruneyard. So we did! My studio manager Brooke being the awesome person she is threw down her paperwork and said, "Can I come!?" and offered to hold the big-a** golf umbrella over the gear.

You're looking at a few of my favorites - they've been sooooo patient waiting for me to get a'movin' on post production so I can't do all of 'em - and it's easy to see why I want to keep Amanda and Zech as my little sister and brother. :D

Shot in a parking garage, near an office building, and behind Rock Bottom Brewery in the PruneYard. When you have great light and a couple not afraid to show affection, who needs a park?

Wha-wha-WHA?! I won!

Betsy's dad must hate me.

First, this image placed with WPJA's international competition last year.

Now, I've won 10th place out of thousands of entries for the Bride's
2008 Photo Competition. See more on Brides.com, or at the WPJA's website.

To Betsy's dad...I think I owe you a drink!

Taken at the Corinthian Event Center, San Jose, 7-7-07.

Erin & Massud at Casa Real

Kelvin and Eric really captured the vitality of Erin & Massud - and how crazy they are for each other! Here's a slideshow to share...

When the Islands Meet Each Other...

Carmen is Polynesian. Daniel is from the Brittish Isles. Very different kinds of islands! So what do you do? Show off both of your heritages! Polynesian performers, leis, a bagpiper, celtic wedding rings - even an after-party at an English pub.

I was very jealous of Kelvin and our second shooter Eric covering Carmen & Daniel's wedding. Not only were Carmen and Daniel a true delight to be with, but one of my favorite things about weddings is witnessing a sacred event by different cultures.

Here's the trick about candelight weddings - you still need some light! By having lighting design by Fantasy Sound, they brought the same feeling as candelight into the room without the dimness cameras hate. See the trees on the wall? The spots on the flowers and in very select spots around the room? And check out the circle of light around Krista Strader. She looks like an angel (and I bet she sounded amazing, too - that's Krista for ya!)

Carmen and her brother Luis walked in to the Hawaiian Wedding Song,

Carmen and Daniel then did a smart thing - they made tons of room for the performers and for dancing and put that space smack in the center of the room so that everyone had a good view.

The other thing that they did that I think more couples should consider is a First Glance. It's so easy to do at the Rose Hotel, where they both got ready. The Rose has a HUGE and elegant staircase, with a crystal chandelier - the perfect "making an entrance" for your future husband to see you for the first time.

Getting Ready location: the Rose Hotel
Ceremony and Venue: Casa Real
Harpist: Krista Strader
Bagpipes: Jeff Campbell
Polynesian performers: all members of Carmen's family (talented family!)
Lighting design and DJ: Fantasy Sound