Retouching Feedback

[MarkBarbieri]

I've been dragooned into shooting a wedding. Last weekend I did the bridal shoot. Most of my portrait experience is with shooting children, who rarely need or want much retouching. The bride, I am assuming, wants to look as good as possible, so I'm doing a bit of tweaking here and there.

I would appreciate feedback on whether I'm being excessive, not doing enough, or just making dumb mistakes. If you click on the images below, you will get a full resolution copy to examine. Please don't use them in Israeli slideshows, Brazilian RPGs, or in any fashion that would upset Don.

#1 Original
http://photos.barbierifamily.org/photos/840965429_8sPNF-L.jpg

#1 Retouched
http://barbieri.smugmug.com/photos/846608785_UiCKJ-L.jpg (http://barbieri.smugmug.com/photos/846608785_UiCKJ-O.jpg)

#2 Original
http://photos.barbierifamily.org/photos/840950768_xgvEH-L.jpg

#2 Retouched
http://barbieri.smugmug.com/photos/846609167_mztv5-L.jpg (http://barbieri.smugmug.com/photos/846609167_mztv5-O.jpg)

#3 Original
http://photos.barbierifamily.org/photos/840950119_qW7Mr-L.jpg

#3 Retouched
http://barbieri.smugmug.com/photos/846607684_EHYZX-L.jpg (http://barbieri.smugmug.com/photos/846607684_EHYZX-O.jpg)

[vandort]

From what I can see, you've primarily softened the features on her face. I think that your photo-editing is nicely done and I think that she (the bride) would be happy with the result. Beautiful pictures!

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm not an expert, but they look excellent to me. It appears you softened/smoothed the skin, removed some blemishes, sharpened, but kept the essence of the original. If I was the bride, I would be happy!!

[photo_chick]

I don't think you've gone overboard at all. In fact your edits are very conservative compared to some wedding phtographers I've seen.

[MarkBarbieri]

I don't think you've gone overboard at all. In fact your edits are very conservative compared to some wedding phtographers I've seen.

Hmmm...now I'm nervous in the other direction.

[YesDear]

Mark you know you can go from skin softening to china doll. I think the retouches look natural which is what I go for. I give you a good A-!!!

You may want to do a china doll one and see which one she likes?

[Suburbanmom]

I think your editing looks great...not over or under done...well done :)

[MarkBarbieri]

Thanks for the replies. I feel better now. I did a few extra subtle adjustments and the fact that they weren't noted tells me that they were subtle enough. In each picture, I reduced the width about 5% to slim the subject (sort of the opposite of making people fat by stretching 4:3 TV shows to fit on 16:9 TVs). I also brightened her eyes and teeth just a bit.

[Gianna'sPapa]

I prefer your subtle adjustments over the "china" doll look. They look very real and very good. She should be very happy with your work. Congratulations, great job.

[hughtopia]

Nicely done. I especially like how you fixed the dress in #1 and #2. Getting out wrinkles can be difficult but trust me when I say the bride will notice.

As for the teeth being whitened, my two cents would be to hit those just a tad more. Bridal portraits are expected to be "perfect" so a picture that would be overdone in the real world would be fine in this situation.

Keep up the good work!

[RBennett]

Is it just my eyes/computer, but there is something distracting me on the retouched #2. Over on the right side of the screen, it's a different shade of black or something. Sorry, only contribution I can give. Everything else looks great! :thumbsup2

[Chikabowa]

The edits look really good.

[photo_chick]

Hmmm...now I'm nervous in the other direction.

Don't be... it looks good. Many wedding photographers make the bride look too plasticy and Barbie like. You didn't go that far and personally I think that's a good thing.

[Steve's Girl]

I like them. Well done.

[boBQuincy]

A little retouching goes a long way and I think your light handed approach will be greatly appreciated by the bride. This is the way I would have approached it, except for when I am asked to photograph a wedding I also consider moving out of state! ;)

[WDWFigment]

I think they look perfect; excellent work.