How do i get started?

[Pixelshaw]

I have my own photo restoration business and web site. But after looking around this site and others plus having a go at some of the challenges. I wanted to add another string to my bow and start doing retouch work.

I don't have the experience or imagination perhaps to go head long into high end fashion or advertising and initially I'm not seeking that. I would pitch myself around the high end wedding photographer, glamor models and local news papers. The smaller stuff really.

So my questions are:

Where can i find high res, copyright free images to use in my portfolio? (the images here are great for practice but not portfolio work)

Is there enough call for this type of work at the level I'm aiming at?

As a retoucher Professional are you expected to make the creative desicions or are you led by the constraints of the image and direction from the client?

many thanks for any input.

Richard

[TommyO]

Richard,
It may depend on your location and demand in that area. However, I would guess that the segment your are aiming for is pretty full. Based on this and other forums, there are a lot of people doing the same thing.

On the other side of that market are the professionals that do their own retouch work. Occasionally, they are swamped and need part-time assistance. So, you could develop a relationship with a few, through local professional organizations or clubs. Then simply work part-time at it.

As a retoucher in that market, you are "led by the constraints of the image and direction from the client". Unfortunately, you cannot apply as much creativeness as you may want to, unless told to do so. In that case, you don't still cannot afford to pour a lot into it... just enough for them to see the potential.

Very nice website by the way !

[BagLady]

I agree with everything that TommyO said! Good luck Richard!

[Pixelshaw]

Thanks guys, I'm based in New Zealand. There doesn't seam to be a lot of dedicated sites doing just retouch work. although there are plenty of restoration sites that offers retouch services. There is also a DIY ethos, in NZ. and like you say maybe many people are just doing there own.

Any idea how i can get hold of some decent images to start my portfolio?

[0lBaldy]

A few sources for pictures:

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...s-retouch.html

http://www.lipstickfetish.org/forum/...pic.php?t=9579

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...back-raws.html

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/pphome.html

royalty free stock photos:
http://www.sxc.hu/index.phtml
http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php

[Pixelshaw]

Thanks Olbaldy. I'll take a look