Retouching Steps

The next step after your shoot is over is the image proofing process. This is the stage where you select which images from our shoot you would like edited as a final product. We want this process to be as hassle-free as possible, so we’ve set up this tutorial to go over things! In the first part, we’ll go over setting up an account and selecting the images themselves. In the second part, we’ll answer questions about the editing process itself and what to expect.

STEP 1
Read the FAQ. No really, please read it!

The images displayed in the proofing gallery are unedited. The exposure, color, orientation, and sharpness have not had any adjustments. Proof images often appear too dark, too contrasty, too bright, or the color may be off. All of these things will be adjusted once we've received your image selections. Images presented to you in the proofing gallery are all considered viable. Once edited, the final versions will be of comparable caliber as the photos in our sample galleries. For portraits, choose photos based on facial expression, body posture, and the general composition.
Our approach for our business is centered around providing the images that people want, need, and love the most. As with all forms of art, photography is very subjective. There are photos we have personally felt were masterpieces that completely did not resonate with our subject. And likewise, our subjects have selected images they perceive to be the best images they have ever had taken of them that may not have been what we might have picked. Although the image proofing process can sometimes be overwhelming, it has proven to be a valuable tool in providing photos to our clients that best serve their needs. We're always happy to lend our opinion if you're stuck on a particular decision! We do make an exception in the case of event photography, where the volume of images produced would simply be too inefficient and time consuming for most of our clients to tackle. For events we select the images to be edited, taking into account any specific requests that were made prior to the shoot.
Each of our services come with a set number of images, so consult your contract or just ask us if you don’t recall. You can always purchase additional images!
We’re happy to pick the strongest image in a series of very similar photos. Just favorite the photos you’re deciding on in the series and leave a comment on one of the photos asking us to edit the best one of that set.
Back in the days of film proofs were all of the images from a session printed on one or more sheets so the client could choose which photographs were to be printed or retouched. We still use the term proof to mean an unedited image preview. Since we do not want unfinished work making it out into public viewing, we mark each image's specific number on the unedited previews to designate that they are unfinished work. Please do not screencapture or otherwise share the proof images. They are for selection purposes only. The final delivered photographs will not have any text or logos on them.

STEP 2:
Click on the provided link, and enter your password.

STEP 3:
Click on the heart icon of any photo you would like to edited to begin your list of favorites.
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STEP 4:
Enter your email address that you would like your list associated with. In the case of companies with more than one employee doing the image selections, you may wish to do them all under the same email address or have everyone do their selections separately. If it’s feasible for you to do them under one email address that makes the process a little easier on our end, but in the case of larger companies it sometimes only works if people all create their own lists.


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STEP 5:
In the upper right-hand corner of the screen, you will notice the heart icon now has a red dot on it. Click here to review your favorites. Select which list you want to review, and click on it. Once you’ve expanded the specific group you want to review, you’ll see all of the images that you’ve favorited in one spot.
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To expand on an image to view larger: Click on the image.

To remove an image: Hover over the image and click on the heart that pops up in the right hand corner.
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To add a notation about the image: Hover over the image and click on the “add note” icon. This is where any specific requests on editing should go.
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STEP 6:
When your selections are all ready to go click on the paper airplane icon in the upper right hand corner. Here you have another opportunity to write us a love note, or provide general requests for editing.
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NOTE: Please please please – when referring to specific images use the number found at the bottom of the expanded photo. YFIR_date_number. That 3-4 digit number at the end of the title is the very best way for us to be talking about exactly the same image.
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ABOUT RETOUCHING:
Retouching can be a touchy subject with people (no pun intended). It’s a fine balance of doing enough to make people feel their best about their photos – without making it look fake or unnatural. A common misconception is that all photographers are also masters of Photoshop. The reality is that while photographers need to have some skills in post-production, retouching can be an occupation on its own! So while we are relatively handy at general retouching, there sometimes can reach a point in a request where we either do not know how to perform the trick, or it would take us too long for it to be a reasonable request. If the request is something that goes beyond our skill set or would take us an unreasonable time to complete we will explore the options in outsourcing to a dedicated retoucher.

The goal in our retouching is to make you look like you’re having the best skin day possible. Things that happen automatically are – removal of blemishes that are not permanent parts of you, softening of any harsh shadows, and a subtle brightening of eyes and smiles. Most people have a couple of features about themselves that bother them that they would like enhanced – and those features may be very subtle. Please email us or leave a comment on your photo selection with your requests or concerns regarding retouching. We will do our best to accommodate your requests.

BELOW ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF OUR RETOUCHING AND EDITING.

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EMAIL: info@yourfaceisrad.com

PHONE: 619-363-4815

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