Best retouchers World has to offer?

[Natasa Stojsic]

I am putting the list of best retouchers World has to offer that influenced the industry with their style.

Pascal Dangin is one of them, although I couldn't find any info or his web, contact, address, etc.

Would you guys care to add anybody else along with him?

Cheers

[superkoax]

ANT!!! He's a good one

AMY Dresser

[AdamZx3]

Chris Tarantino

Fantastic work
http://www.christarantino.com/

Katrin Eismann
Not really any example on her site but she has excellent books.

[pixel_monkey]

On top of the two members mentioned from this forum, I'd say TheVeed.

[pixel_monkey]

Almost forgot about another member goes by the name Conrad.

[zganie]

I think its not only who is the best but how did they get there


just an opinion zganie

[pixel_monkey]

Originally Posted by zganie

I think its not only who is the best but how did they get there


just an opinion zganie

Absolutely. It'd be great to hear their stories. At one point, their skill levels weren't that remarkable than yours and mine.

[dvaught]

Too many unknown retouchers that are fantastic to say who is the very best. I will say that Tarantino is the best beauty retoucher I have ever had any experience with and his technical knowledge of the software is stupefying. A dude named Jeff Walker is also a fantastic manipulation/illustrative artist who has to be near the top of the list.

It has been my experience that once you get to a certain level, the really great retouchers almost become specialized in specific areas and do what they do best better than anyone else and everything else that they do is great, just not as mind blowing as their specialty.

[Natasa Stojsic]

Originally Posted by dvaught

Too many unknown retouchers that are fantastic to say who is the very best. I will say that Tarantino is the best beauty retoucher I have ever had any experience with and his technical knowledge of the software is stupefying. A dude named Jeff Walker is also a fantastic manipulation/illustrative artist who has to be near the top of the list.

It has been my experience that once you get to a certain level, the really great retouchers almost become specialized in specific areas and do what they do best better than anyone else and everything else that they do is great, just not as mind blowing as their specialty.

Do you have Jeff Walkers web page or contact?

It would be nice if possible to post the contact or web page associated the artist.

[dvaught]

Jeff's page is http://www.adv-i-m.com/

[Natasa Stojsic]

Originally Posted by dvaught

Jeff's page is http://www.adv-i-m.com/

Much Appreciated

Thanks

[NimfabebeAida]

I love Amy Dresser. She was the first retoucher I heard about. When I started doing photomanipulations I looked at her as an idol. I felt her works are magic. ^^
There are other so talented retouchers I've seen since then, but she is my favourite.

[NimfabebeAida]

Originally Posted by dvaught

Jeff's page is http://www.adv-i-m.com/

He is so talented. It's amazing the way he understands light and objects.

[SteveB2005]

I don't know who the best retouchers are, but I did have a video of a retoucher working on photos of Cindy Crawford, for the cover of Cosmo, I think shot by the late, great Scavullo. This was back in the Scitex days and the operator was working from a printer's proof where the art director redlined everything to fix, although the image and lighting were great out of the camera. The files were sent to the retouching house located in Tenn from NYC

The bill for the retouching was $20,000 and some change. And this was in the late 80's or 90's!! Of course model Cindy Crawford splashed on any mag cover then was sure to sell more issues and I heard that particular issue set some record sales for HG Brown

steve

[pixel_monkey]

Originally Posted by SteveB2005

I don't know who the best retouchers are, but I did have a video of a retoucher working on photos of Cindy Crawford, for the cover of Cosmo, I think shot by the late, great Scavullo. This was back in the Scitex days and the operator was working from a printer's proof where the art director redlined everything to fix, although the image and lighting were great out of the camera. The files were sent to the retouching house located in Tenn from NYC

The bill for the retouching was $20,000 and some change. And this was in the late 80's or 90's!! Of course model Cindy Crawford splashed on any mag cover then was sure to sell more issues and I heard that particular issue set some record sales for HG Brown

steve

I read some article a long ago stating that Pascal charges $20,000 for a cover and $500 for an inside page. I wonder who else charges this much, or is this the general price for the big retouching houses?

Edit: Here's the article: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...540121180.html

[pixelzombie]

add Jeff Schewe to that list as well, but i think he's focused his attention to his photography lately...

http://www.schewephoto.com/portfolio.html

http://www.adobe.com/jp/print/galler...we/image1.html

[SteveB2005]

Originally Posted by pixel_monkey

I read some article a long ago stating that Pascal charges $20,000 for a cover and $500 for an inside page. I wonder who else charges this much, or is this the general price for the big retouching houses?

Edit: Here's the article: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...540121180.html

Pixel, thanks for the Pascal link and I read the article. Very informative and interesting. He works or heads up Box Bros studio or something like that in NYC, with a staff of about 40, but I can't find any web site link. His studio must have a site, don't you think, or maybe I just missed a link somehow, anyway, would really like to check out Pascal's site.

I have a client I do some retouching and other stuff for who is a photography student and she told me some of the big players who come to the school for events and such are quite secretive when asked specific questions about their "secret workflow." Like pulling diamonds out of a sand dune in Death Valley.

Although this has been stated before, I rarely see any high end catalog or fashion magazine that has a credit under the photographer's copyright that also lists, "retouched by mr or miss so and so." Retouchers never seem to get the credit they deserve and my saying is, "behind every busy pro photographer, there is a retoucher lurking in the background to make the best images better."
steve

[cricket1961]

Pascal owns The Box and they don't have a web site.

Chris

[pixel_monkey]

Originally Posted by SteveB2005

Pixel, thanks for the Pascal link and I read the article. Very informative and interesting. He works or heads up Box Bros studio or something like that in NYC, with a staff of about 40, but I can't find any web site link. His studio must have a site, don't you think, or maybe I just missed a link somehow, anyway, would really like to check out Pascal's site.

To the best of my knowledge, I don't think or recall that Box has a site. Maybe they're just too good to have a site. The people that need their services are the ones that already know what they're doing and are willing to pay the big bucks.

Originally Posted by SteveB2005

Like pulling diamonds out of a sand dune in Death Valley.

I somehow find this line quite amusing. Maybe I do know quite a bit about that place. There are a lot of reasons why people that are very secretive about what they know. Rather those reasons are business or personal, I really don't have a clue. There was an individual at the last place I worked that was very reserved in sharing techniques because this individual wanted to retain that edge over others. I personally don't mind sharing what I know with my co-workers. It doesn't matter what I share with them, because knowing how to do it and doing it good are 2 different things. It won't make much of a different if they don't spend the time to practice. If they're committed, they'll know it sooner or later, and I'm just there to pave the road.

Originally Posted by SteveB2005

Although this has been stated before, I rarely see any high end catalog or fashion magazine that has a credit under the photographer's copyright that also lists, "retouched by mr or miss so and so." Retouchers never seem to get the credit they deserve and my saying is, "behind every busy pro photographer, there is a retoucher lurking in the background to make the best images better."
steve

In certain dictionary, "retoucher" is not even in it while "retouch" and "retouching" are. The word "retoucher" is actually unrecognizable if you typed it in email programs with spell check on or in Microsoft Word. I had a fun time filing freelance tax as a retoucher with the accountant.
It doesn't matter how much work that we do to improve the image that we feel that we should be credited. In the end, it's about the photographer's vision even though he or she is unable to achieve that vision without the help of a retoucher.

[SteveB2005]

Originally Posted by pixel_monkey

To the best of my knowledge, I don't think or recall that Box has a site. Maybe they're just too good to have a site. The people that need their services are the ones that already know what they're doing and are willing to pay the big bucks.

I somehow find this line quite amusing. Maybe I do know quite a bit about that place. There are a lot of reasons why people that are very secretive about what they know. Rather those reasons are business or personal, I really don't have a clue. There was an individual at the last place I worked that was very reserved in sharing techniques because this individual wanted to retain that edge over others. I personally don't mind sharing what I know with my co-workers. It doesn't matter what I share with them, because knowing how to do it and doing it good are 2 different things. It won't make much of a different if they don't spend the time to practice. If they're committed, they'll know it sooner or later, and I'm just there to pave the road.


In certain dictionary, "retoucher" is not even in it while "retouch" and "retouching" are. The word "retoucher" is actually unrecognizable if you typed it in email programs with spell check on or in Microsoft Word. I had a fun time filing freelance tax as a retoucher with the accountant.
It doesn't matter how much work that we do to improve the image that we feel that we should be credited. In the end, it's about the photographer's vision even though he or she is unable to achieve that vision without the help of a retoucher.

Well, I guess if a retouching house is so well known and doesn't even need to advertise on a website, they must be doing something right and word of mouth and reputation are enough to spread the word around.

I also tried to find out if the famous Vogue fashion photographer Steven Meisel had a site, because I am really inspired by his work, and so far, no link to his site, or I can't find it. Now, I have heard that Meisel is a very mysterious cat, who doesn't crave publicity and is quite secretive about everything, hell, I don't know if he had ever been interviewed by any of the photo mags. Again he is so well known in the industry, maybe he doesn't need one either, just like our "pal" Pascal.

steve

[mawasden72]

http://www.pascalandreimaging.com/index.htm or try
http://www.pascalandrephotography.com/flash2.htm
another good retoucher would be Amy Dresser, Lee Varis, Brian Dilg, Greg Apodaca, Kevin Ames, Katrin Eismann, & Suzette Touch-Strapp (GitterGuru). Just to name a few like it was said before there are a lot of unknowns and retouching companies as well.
Mary Alice

[mawasden72]

You might try this link to look at some of Steve Meisal work and info.
http://www.artandcommerce.com/AAC/C....L5=2U1XC5J9EDA

[SteveB2005]

Originally Posted by mawasden72

http://www.pascalandreimaging.com/index.htm or try
http://www.pascalandrephotography.com/flash2.htm
another good retoucher would be Amy Dresser, Lee Varis, Brian Dilg, Greg Apodaca, Kevin Ames, Katrin Eismann, & Suzette Touch-Strapp (GitterGuru). Just to name a few like it was said before there are a lot of unknowns and retouching companies as well.
Mary Alice

Interesting link to another Pascal, but the one we are mainly referring to is the Box Studio in NYC, Pascal Dangin, the head man. And yes, I am aware of most of the other names you mentioned, who are tops in the field as well.

As far as the most secrets "revealing" retoucher, would have to be Katrin E, because of the several retouching books she has published. I have the first one, which I refer to all the time. It has "bailed" me out from time to time.

The fraternity/sorority of retouchers is a small club, to say the least

steve

[cricket1961]

Steve Meisel is a photographer only. He does not do retouching.
Greg Apodaca is a butcher. Sorry I don't like to criticize anyone but his stuff is way overdone. Do a search on the web and there are a lot who feel that way, His style was great at a certain time once.
I love Suzettes work, but she is primarily a photographer who knows how to shoot to minimize what needs to be done post.
Kevin Ames is also a photgrapher.

[SteveB2005]

Originally Posted by cricket1961

Steve Meisel is a photographer only. He does not do retouching.
Greg Apodaca is a butcher. Sorry I don't like to criticize anyone but his stuff is way overdone. Do a search on the web and there are a lot who feel that way, His style was great at a certain time once.
I love Suzettes work, but she is primarily a photographer who knows how to shoot to minimize what needs to be done post.
Kevin Ames is also a photgrapher.

Yes, I read that article about Pascal and it was mentioned that he handles Steven Meisel's retouching. Never heard of Apodaca, so I'll check him out.

I have seen many hi-rez drum scans of mainly female models from great photographers, mainly 35mm and med format and IRIS prints in a large pre-press house. Some photos needed a lot of retouching, others, not so much. What is a bit comical though is people will say, "you mean those girls don't really look like that in person with perfect smooth skin, no break-outs, blemishes"? Seeing some of the images right out of the camera is quite a revelation

steve
No sorry guys, they have to go to the retouchers to capture the "look."

[Markzebra]

another good retoucher would be Amy Dresser, Lee Varis, Brian Dilg, Greg Apodaca, Kevin Ames, Katrin Eismann, & Suzette Touch-Strapp (GitterGuru). Just to name a few like it was said before there are a lot of unknowns and retouching companies as well.

- yes there are a lot of unknowns and most of them a lot better than many of the members on that particular list.

In defense of Greg Apodaca - he is technically very knowledgable, knows the software at a very deep level, and also very giving in terms of technique. Regardless of what people feel about some of the result.

[cricket1961]

There are a bunch of us that handle Steve's retouching. Pascal gets some, I used to , there is another company that the name eludes me in NYC that does a LOT of his work.

The thing is with a lot of these great Photographers is that they use different retouchers for different looks and feels. The same retouchers for all of the jobs can be very detrimental to what a Photographer is trying to achieve.

Chris

[SteveB2005]

Originally Posted by cricket1961

There are a bunch of us that handle Steve's retouching. Pascal gets some, I used to , there is another company that the name eludes me in NYC that does a LOT of his work.

The thing is with a lot of these great Photographers is that they use different retouchers for different looks and feels. The same retouchers for all of the jobs can be very detrimental to what a Photographer is trying to achieve.

Chris

Whoa Chris, I am impressed that you work with one of my favorite fashion shooters Steven Meisel. I am not sure what that dude looks like, but I think I might have seen a picture of him taken with Madonna. I guess he did a shoot with her sometime back. He seems to keep a low profile, shys away from publicity

Well then, here is a question for ya. Does Steven shoot totally med format digital for Vogue and 35mm digital or does he still use film and have it scanned? He, Helmut Newton, and Scavullo and of course Avedon are some of my fav fashion photographers and I have learned a lot studying their style. Now Avedon and Scavullo have had several books published, not sure if Meisel has had any.

Does he ever have master classes and I assume he lives and works in NYC, right?

Thanks
steve

[Ant]

there is another company that the name eludes me in NYC that does a LOT of his work.

Nucleus?

[Ant]

Steve, All the great photographers are here (and LA, London, Paris). If you are a working high end retoucher in NYC or at least the tri-state area you work on Steve's work, on LaChapelle, Thompson, you name it.