Photo Editing vs Photo Retouching - what is the difference?
What is the difference between editing a photo and retouching a photo?
These two terms: ‘Editing’ and ‘Retouching’ and what actions they entail are often confused and misunderstood - the two processes are completely separate in the post-production stage, and both use different software and need different skills so let me offer a small explanation to clarify!
EDITING
Photo Editing enhances the overall image, think of it like a filter in a photo editing app on your mobile phone where you can:
Straighten the image
Balance the colour temperature and colour correct
Increase or decrease the overall Exposure to brighten or darken the photo
Adjust Contrast and Saturation to make the colours pop (or not)
Cropping to improve the composition
RETOUCHING
Most photographers have a basic level of photoshop knowledge but are not retouchers. And not all photographers retouch their images.
Photo Retouching uses specialist tools like Adobe Photoshop (other programs are also available) using advanced techniques to manipulate elements in the image such as:
Removing any unwanted blemishes, spots, moles, cold sores, scars and stray hairs
lightening and brightening undereyes
removing frown lines between eyes
Removing distractions such as cigarette butts from your photographs.
slim and body morphing (advanced technique)
wardrobe malfunctions (advanced technique)
correcting grey or undyed hair /roots (advanced technique)
removing tooth braces (advanced technique)
remove jewellery or Fitbits (advanced technique)
Photoshop is not a substitution for a lack of preparation for your photoshoot and has its limitations. For instance, photoshop cannot fix the creases in your un-ironed shirt, nor can it smooth the fabric of your knitted top to hide the lace imprint of your bra or underwear.
Retouching is a very specific skill and job in its own right, and is quite time consuming. Photographers might offer to find a retoucher but this can be costly especially for to slim and body morphing, wardrobe malfunctions, colouring hair and grey roots, tooth braces corrected and more.
My aim to produce natural looking images where the subject looks like themself. My best advice and best practise is to get it right in camera on the shoot day.
Preparation is key so I urge you to read and follow my tips in my Shoot Prep Guide.
All the images I deliver to my clients are always edited, and depending on your package, a certain number of images of your choice will recieve a light natural skin retouch -please CLICK HERE what is included and additional costs.
