Hey guys,

Just wanted to share with you the very first retouching job I've ever done :)

It's for a high end pet shop in Amsterdam and will be used for all their communication, such as web and posters/flyers. To boot they'll have this image printed really large in the store. I'm quite chuffed about it.

Client brief was: Make it look painterly, and they supplied a reference for colour. Photos were taken by Sarah Nankin (http://www.sarahnankin.com).

Before:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c98/DaWiel/TaraBefore.jpg

After:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c98/DaWiel/TaraAfter.jpg

Hope you guys like it.

Did they give you an example of what they were looking for? This doesn't look painterly to me. It looks like the WB was set wrong and the skin tones are off because of that.

What did they say about it? Are you satisfied with it?

Gotta go with Jimhob on this one. Doesn't look very painterly. The color is too flat.

2 minute painterly. there is a painting IN the shot, how did you get there?

be aware of honest opinions amongst us...

adding the contrast is ok, but her face seem kind of flat and colorless...I would go for abit more darker feel with a nice vignett effect...the picture is very similar to the sarah nankin pictures, but the overall feeling should be worked on...

ANT: Always with the charming tone :tongue:

Gerry

Thanks for the feedback. Just to clear things up, this wasn't how I would do it, this was what they wanted. They're quite happy with how it turned out, so I'm happy.

And I didn't mean: make it look like a painting, but more have the atmosphere of a painting (dark shadows, muffled colors, sort of like the painting in the background).

If you've filled the brief to your clients satisfaction then you've done all that's necessary.

How do you feel about it? Are you satisfied personally with the result or do you think you could have produced something "better" or different?

Personally I feel it's a little flat, but if your client wanted that kind of look then their preferences are the ones that hold sway.

They had a colour reference that I matched, they loved the overall look. I wouldn't personally say that this is what it should look like (I personally don't get the skin tone) but I'm quite happy with how it turned out.

So yeah, I'm moderately happy with it. And it's working for me, as I just got my second job from them, so they're happy with me.

Although I do believe that this post is the first time that Ant has posted an image! Quite happy with that, I'm honored :_)

When doing work for a client, the key is to make your client happy and give them what they want. Since they love it, I would say that you have done your job. Well done!

Dave.

Congrats on the first job. Its good that your client is happy and that you are happy too.

But here are some things I might have considered to make the image more impactful. First thing is too set the highlights and shadow to remove the flatness. Then harmonize the colors, as it is there, its a bit all over the place. Correct the lighting for a more dramatic look. add some selective lens blur to some less important areas of the image. Maybe bring in a backlight in the woman's hair to seperate her from the bg. Selective sharpening on the woman and dog. Finally for the paintely effect, I would use the smudge tool + a lot of patience to manually simulate paint.

Heres a version I did quickly for illustrative purposes. I smudged the pants so you can get an idea of the effect.

all the best

Bottom line when your doing work for a client keeping them happy is all that counts really there is no possible way to critique the work if the client is happy then its good


just my opinion zganie

When doing work for a client, the key is to make your client happy and give them what they want. Since they love it, I would say that you have done your job. Well done!

Dave.



I agree.
The people who are telling you they dont like it, arnt the ones paying you.
I think it does need some more vibrant tones in the skin.
But your client didnt want that.
Dont pay attention to what everyone else is saying, if they arnt putting cash in your pocket.

The fact that the client likes it does not make it a good retouching. Want proof? http://fredzijn.punt.nl/upload/wildenstein.jpg

Yes I agree the retouching job was not that good in some eyes, but it's all about the client! as long as you satisfied them and that's it ...

i like the before better to be honest!

The fact that the client likes it does not make it a good retouching. Want proof? http://fredzijn.punt.nl/upload/wildenstein.jpg



Your right.
But he's not pleasing you.
I dont think there is any actualy "Good" Retouching.
Since all retouching is fake.
Everything can be taken differently.
This berry might not taste sweet to you.
But a bird loves it. Etc.
Its all about what is asked for and what is wanted.
Someone might take a high end picture and say, make it look like a polaroid.
Or make me look unnatractive.
And someone else sees it and says, oh that is a horrible photo.
But its all about what they want. They are the ones paying for it.