Image retouching is a technique in photo editing that is used to manipulate images in order to slightly alter the looks of the subject in the final presentation of the image. Image retouching actions that are performed to images are typically small localized adjustments, usually done after globalized adjustments (like color correction and image clipping) has been carried out on the images. In other words, the work of the retouched is majorly to adjust other elements of an image which cannot be done during general editing. Some of these basic adjustments or “fixes” include but not all: erasing pimples, dark spots, blemish and making a ruddy complexion become even.
Used For Image Presentation Purpose
Image retouching is used widely for image presentation purpose. The type of edits that are made to an image depends on the choice and desires of the client concerned. Typically, a professional retoucher will make necessary adjustments to an image in line with the wishes of the clients. Retouching is mostly required for portraits and products photos. In the case of portraits, retouches like blemishes masking, skin smoothening and teeth whitening can be done. You may make the face thin or enhance the appearance of the eyes. You can also use retouching to perform actions such as changing the color of hair and enhancing the body of a model. In the case of product photography application, you can choose to repair a damaged box, remove fingerprints or even smoothen the surface of a product. You can also add highlights to a product so as to create depth.
Make Photos More Attractive
In the case of product photos, there are a number of retouching enhancements that you can apply to make photos appear more attractive to potential customers in the market. You should also bear it in mind that there are different levels of retouching when it comes to product photos. It ranges from a basic retouching job (which includes enhancements such as erasing of scratches or traces of glues) to a more complex retouching job (which may include jobs such as jewelry stones enhancements, giving definition to diamonds, making gold or silver glitter, adding texture to leathers, removal of glares and lots more).
Software packages such as Adobe Photoshop are best used for modern digital retouching services. Each action to be taken requires the use of different tools such as blurring brushes, color replacement tools and clone stamps. For functions like object reshaping and model enhancing, you may choose tools like healing brush, varieties of filters, liquefy, and some other retouching tools. The possibilities that you can achieve within the realm of retouching only depends on the choice of the client and the look that they desire to achieve. In other words, retouching can change the sub-quality appearance of your image into a top-notch one.
There are some other software packages apart from Photoshop that will handle your retouching service just as fine as Photoshop will. One of these is Portrait Pro Studio, although it seems quite heavy-handed. This is because there’s a danger of making the image look very “plastic” if the automatic settings are not properly tweaked.
