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...