Image retouching is a way of improving the look of an image. The main focus is to remove any defects that change the focal point of a picture.
For example, it can be the glare of sunlight, sensors, or dust particles on the camera lens. Furthermore, it can also be used to remove any physical defects such as spots and blemishes on the skin.
This process of altering an image is done to ensure that the final presentation is stunning. The process of retouching is done by altering a few aspects like- cropping the image, adjusting the white balance, and color correction.
All these terms sound similar to image editing, am I right? However, both are not the same thing.
Difference between editing and image retouching
We often get confused between the words “editing” and “retouching”. At times, even professionals believe that both are the same.
Although this is not a major concern, it can cause confusion between a photographer and a client. Therefore, it is important to mention each in detail.
So, what is the difference between the two?
Photo Editing
Photo editing is usually a quick process. However, the time needed for it depends on the level of editing that is required. It may take a few minutes to edit an image or even up to an hour. It usually depends on the final look that is preferred and the desired end result.
The changes that are usually made in photo editing are in terms of hue, exposure, cropping, etc.
Let's say for instance, in the case of a wedding photo shoot, editing is usually done in bulk as there are a large number of images to be edited. The whole process might take a few minutes to hours. It all depends on the requirement of the clients.
The primary job of a photographer is to select the number of images that reach the said mark. This makes the job of editing easier.
Photo Retouching
Photo retouching starts from the point where the editing work ends. It is primarily done to remove unwanted items in an image. This helps to increase the overall image quality.
With the help of photo retouching, you can make your skin appear flawless. Retouching takes care of small details by keeping the other aspects of the image intact. For example, it can hide blemishes on the skin and even whiten teeth.
Additionally, you can change the eyes and hair color and also the face's width. The body can also be altered to make it appear slimmer and taller.
What is the tool for Image retouching?
The process of retouching can enhance the look of different items. Be it jewellery, a person’s face, animal, household items, etc.
For instance, in the case of jewellery, you can make it appear brighter, textured, and well-defined.
The whole process of photo retouching depends on the wish of a client. The designs of the images should be made according to the branding required.
For example, if you are designing for a jewellery brand then the priority is the ornaments in the picture. You can make the picture in a black & white tone and add color to the jewellery. This would grab the attention of the viewers to the desired place.
If you are interested to know more about the tool used, then let me tell you it is Adobe Photoshop. This is widely used by photographers to enhance the quality of a picture. You can perform advanced tasks with the help of this software like minute pixel-level editing.
Techniques for Photo Retouching
The different techniques of photo retouching are stated below.
1. Spot Healing
Spot healing is the primary tool used in any photo retouching software. The purpose of this tool is to remove spots and blemishes from the face or entire body.
2. Dodge and burn
The dodge and burn tool is useful in adjusting the lightness and darkness of an image. The final image is usually of a higher quality. However, it must be kept in mind that a burn tool can only be used for a limited amount.
3. Clone Stamp
The clone stamp tool is either used on the skin area or the background of an image. It provides a lightning effect on the image. The Clone Stamp tool is great for blending purposes.
4. Toning and Hue
Toning provides great effects on the color of an image. For example, you can add a warm tone to give a cosy and welcoming look. On the other hand, adding a cool tone will give a distant feeling.
5. Eye retouching
As the name suggests, the eye-retouching tool is made to adjust the eye area. It is helpful to remove eye bags, change eye color, shadow adjustments, etc.
6. Using curves to highlight
The use of a curve layer is a great way to add some contrast to the image. You can adjust the contrast accordingly by adding several points to the S curve.
Conclusion
The process of photo retouching takes a lot of time and effort. While Editing, on the other hand, is a much simpler process. Using a professional image retouching service or software is essential to get quality results.
If you would like to hire a professional and experienced retouching service then clippingpaths.com is the provider for you. Contact us today and get your images edited & retouched within 2 hours!
Visit clippingpaths.com for more information!