Trying to get a handle on a balanced approach to editing, any thoughts or cc are welcomed!
Nikon D750, Nikkor 105mm f1.4, B1 from above and an eyelighter 2 as a bounce.
Retouching, how much is too much?
Trying to get a handle on a balanced approach to editing, any thoughts or cc are welcomed!
Nikon D750, Nikkor 105mm f1.4, B1 from above and an eyelighter 2 as a bounce.
Are these edited? If so, I’d say they could use a little more. This topic is more to personal preference and also what the job calls for. If you haven’t checked out any of Pratik Naik’s retouching videos, he goes over this quite a bit.
Depends a little on what the photos are going to be used for. If the people being shot are going to be hired specifically for their face (models or actors) then you need a lighter touch than if the photos are for general professionals who need something for a website and just want a flattering but recognizable picture of themselves.
Thanks all, good points. These are corporate headshots and they are edited, I was trying to make them very clean without being too heavy handed. I'll have to go look through some of Pratik's videos!
Very simple answer, as long as they don't look edited and natural - it is OK - for me.
In your shown pictures I would most worry about the histogram and the highlights.
They are clipping i.e. in the last picture and that gives an artificial and unprofessional amateurish look.
Even if you use artificial lighting, which I guess you did my approach is it should not appear artifiicial.
Also a white background on a blonde pale human makes the skin even more pale.
Hi, garrett
First, i would say that you got a great sense of each person's personality really well. There are people there looking back at me each with his/her own character to be seen very clearly. You must be good at getting subjects to feel safe and comfortable, and then shooting at wonderful moments. Congrats!
Second, i think the light you created here is excellent: open, clean, contemporary, and complementary.
I like the edit on the 3rd person best. The first woman probably doesnt want to see those spots on her forehead and the 4th is overexposed in the highlights. Re: the 3rd person, if you can lighten her irises,I think the picture would be perfect. You can create an action that makes an empty layer filled with 50%gray, which you can brush into areas at 10-20% opacity to lighten or darken them, like irises. it can really help connect the viewer when the eyes are more visible.
Hey Rob, thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it! That's a great idea to help brighten the irises, I'll give it a try, because you're right the eyes are so important!