Photo Retouching - - minimum resolution/file size for retouching??

margotshp · #1 03-01-2006, 05:23 AM

What is minimum resolution/file size for retouching?
Just curious to hear from others when you refuse to do job on the photo.
I just got one client lately... he send me photo from mobile phone to be retouched, you could not see clearly anything and image was 5x7 size at 72dpi.
I had to refuse to do it...

byRo · #2 03-01-2006, 07:00 AM

Margot, I don't think I'm qualified to answer this but I can't see any fixed limit.
Others things need to go into the equation like...
- How important is this image to the client?
- How much will the client pay?
- What quality level is necessary for the final print?*

One thing that folks comment around here, and something that happens to me, is that the retoucher's minimum quality standard is quite often way above the client's expectations.
Maybe after advising the client that the image is not going to be perfect, a quick level adjustment, a bit of denoising, resize and... one happy customer.

Rô
(but I did say that I'm not really qualified)

margotshp · #3 03-01-2006, 07:09 AM

I appriciate your comment... I think you are right, maybe I should not turn this client down...

Kraellin · #4 03-01-2006, 08:15 AM

Quote:

you could not see clearly anything and image was 5x7 size at 72dpi

the one thing in this statement that would concern me is the part about not seeing anything clearly. if you truly cant do anything to improve the image, then i'd simply tell the customer i cant help this image. personal integrity is important also.

on the other hand, if you can do something, anything, but you know darned well it's going to be something less than what they might be expecting, a really difficult job, then inform the client before starting and see if they still want to go through with it.

also, posting an example here would help us evaluate.

craig

studioj · #5 03-01-2006, 08:33 AM

I use to say to my customers that any picture could be retouched, even a Messenger icon image (well, I exaggerated a little).

But if they want a professional work, the minimum size it's 2000x1500 pixels, that's what most digital cameras have for Maximum resolution.

Also I remind them that any unfocuss picture will turn more expensive, so please try to keep the focus always.

margotshp · #6 03-02-2006, 07:24 AM

Kraellin, Studioj, thank you for replies.
I think I will have to change my attitude.
I just don't like to work on low resolution images... I like do do good job and when the quality of oryginal photograph is not good the final effect is not as good as it could be and I'm not satisfied... but you are right, customers are more important and if they willing to pay I should do it but inform them honestly before what I can do what I can not.
Again, thank you for comments