A whole lot of time and trouble

[roger_ele]

I regard to the customer - people like photos for different reasons, some of which have nothing to do with quality! Expression, demonstration of relationship, body language fits their personality - in other words, not too cocky / not too wimpy / not putting on airs / not feeling fake / looking confident, whatever it is everyone is a little different. Sometimes bad lighting can actually be a good thing in lending a feeling of honesty to a photo for some people. I am not trying to give excuses for bad work (unless it is done on purpose), I am saying keep an open mind about the customers point of view.

Live The Lie: This is more a reflection of your personality, taking on the challenge of doing this as perfectly as you can because of how you feel about it. I don't think it was needed or probably even appreciated by the bride. She just wanted sweet, believable and pretty. For her it is her vision of her and their personality and a wonderful tomorrow's memory - for you it is a reflection of the photographer's/retoucher's skills. Her opinion is the important one, I say just make it pretty when you view the 8x10 at normal viewing distance - or was this being done 24x30 for the wall .... ?

Anyway, you get the idea.
Best Regards,
Roger

[Live the Lie]

Well this was an engagement portrait, so it could have been 11x14 or 5x7. Depending on invitation and reception presentation. But i do agree that her opinion is the most important, but i don't want her opinion to be that it was low quality. I have been taught by few, and mostly learned on my own, but this saying holds true to all types of relationships. "Make the person who hired you look good at all times." Because if they look good than you look good, and their boss is very happy, and you are more likely to get repeat business. But it helps build honest working relationships. That is the main reason i started my own business. I got tired of giving a certain level of quality service and ability to do my job, and getting the credit passed off to the brand company. It isn't that the person didn't appreciate it, it is just that when they expect that service i would rather have them think of me instead of a national brand (and i was working in food service at the time, but the premise holds true to how i feel about all my work). I like seeing people smile and happy about their portrait. It means i did a great job for them and their reasons. But we are all trying to keep up with the jones. haha. Thanks for the insight Roger. I do like constructive points of view, i always try to be objective. And you are definitely right about the customer liking photographs for different reasons.

[RokcetScientist]

Originally Posted by Live the Lie

This is my first thread, so I think this is the right place and everything is posted right. If not I will update it.

We all know that it takes a combination of a good photographer and retoucher to make great images. Also there are other people like a MUA, Stylist, and other people contribute greatly. But sometimes, someone has a bad day beyond their control, and someone has to help. I am posting an image I retouched, and due to the "bad day" i spent over 15 hours of retouching (this estimate of time does not include research, filters, and other misc things).

FYI I am a photographer and also retouch images for other photographers. The image i am posting is a before and after (web quality), I might post the full-res if there is enough interest. And before anyone asks, I do have permission from the photographer.

p.s. After said image was retouched and shown to the bride, the mother of the bride was so difficult to work with, the photographer ended their business relationship. And there were just as strong picture from that engagement session (if not better), but this was the photograph they chose. The funny part is that the bride to be said "if you get rid of the hair in our faces only, it will be okay"... and i don't know about you, but no one I know would let that photograph surface and be attached to their reputation for public consumer view (wedding, invitations and such.)

Now, what was your question, Live, or your point?