Who's the best?

linmar · #1 02-04-2010, 09:18 AM

Hi, I'm new to this forum (even though I've been reading for a while) and would like to learn how to do retouching. I tried to go through some books but they seem to be all like technical manuals ("push this button and this will happen") rather than "explaining the flow". Could someone recommend a good book or video tutorial? Also it would be interesting to know who are the retouching gurus at the moment so that I could have a look at their work. Thanks, Markus

doctorontop · #2 02-04-2010, 09:20 AM

What type of retouching are you hoping to achieve ?

linmar · #3 02-04-2010, 09:29 AM

I like portraits and like the work of Amy Dresser even though I really dislike most of the attempts of others who were after that look (including myself). In the end I'm not after a specific retouching type but how after understanding the underlying concepts. Something like: here we have a decent photograph, these are the "flaws" and those could be the methods to improve them.

doctorontop · #4 02-04-2010, 09:36 AM

This is a useful book the gry garness e-book Here.

crazyfly1 · #5 02-04-2010, 03:33 PM

http://www.deke.com/dekepod

My personal fav.

skydog · #6 02-04-2010, 04:13 PM

This website host webinars with very good retouchers who show you their work flow and thought process...everyone's approach is different. They move fast so you need to be familar with the "buttons". Retouching takes knowledge, experience, time and practice. Remain patient...it will come...

Be careful of training DVD's...often overpriced for what they deliver. check out Lydia training on google and kelby training on google....much more value for the $

flexmanta · #7 02-04-2010, 09:11 PM

Neither Lynda or Deke Mclelland will help you retouching beauty or fashion. As a matter of fact, most of the instructors are blur people. Lynda.com is the best place to get to know the tools (PS, IL, ID, FL), but it will NOT teach you the technique.

Natalia Taffarel's tutorials are the best ones. She's a real full time retoucher with big name clients. The rest are either basic, incomplete, or just directed to gaussian people.

linmar · #8 02-05-2010, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flexmanta

Neither Lynda or Deke Mclelland will help you retouching beauty or fashion. As a matter of fact, most of the instructors are blur people. Lynda.com is the best place to get to know the tools (PS, IL, ID, FL), but it will NOT teach you the technique.

Yes, thats what I found too. I used to subscribe to Kelby training and certainly learned a lot about the buttons, but I'm lacking the technique! Any more hints of how to pick up the techniques? I got Nicks videos and like it so far (only finished the first session yet as I received them yesterday) and will have a look at Natalia too! @Doctorontop: thanks for the ebook tip by the way, I'll check that out as well.

flexmanta · #9 02-05-2010, 05:10 AM

..i didn't mean that one should not ever suscribe to Lynda.com. Knowing how your tools work is very important. In fact, Deke is a great instructor. I did most of the lynda training some years ago and i don't regret it. It's just that you reach a level where you watch one of their "super ultra advanced" videos and there's nothing that you didn't know, and something you disagree with.

Also, photoshop user tv, photoshop world, pixelperfect, kelby training, same thing. It's ok for beginners. I don't know how much deeper they go in their workshops, but at least, the stuff that they give for free on their websites isn't of much use to whomever has taken retouching seriously and has already completed his basic training. But if you are starting, take that training. You will not achieve the best results, but you will learn how the tools work... and then you will come up with your own ways of using them (which is the main secret of it all... 10 ways to do one thing, you need to know your stuff to decide which one to use).

crazyfly1 · #10 02-05-2010, 09:38 PM

Chris Orwig Is another good one.
Also, while I agree, Linmar that Kelby training online is more a point and click training, Scott Kelby has a book out called "the 7 point system for Photoshop CS3" that goes through his retouching work-flow point by point.

flexmanta · #11 02-06-2010, 06:27 AM

Yeah, Orwig has a good one at Lynda, but one should expect that he had made it a bit more extensive. He does cover restructuring and skin to some extent, but not in the best way. In beauty and fashion, there is some theory that one needs to know about certain rules and practices that are needed and expected by any creative director. Also, if i remember correctly, he blurs skin. Deke also blurrs skin. I don't understand why... but hey, they do. Don't get me wrong, both Deke and Chris are amazing professionals and they really do know what they are doing. Chris knows his tools, and Deke is great at explaining the inner workings of photoshop (probably better than any Photoshop Evangelist out there)

The best part in Orwigs tutorials is where he recommends websites of good retouchers and mentions Amy Dresser. That is exactly what changed my complete idea of what retouching was all about, seeing Amy's work. And from that point on, meeting Natalia and other big ones, the learning curve really started getting steep.

skydog · #12 02-06-2010, 08:42 AM

It all depend on what you want to accomplish. If I take 500 pics at a wedding and the bride chooses 100 pics, I'm lucky to spend 5 min on each photo. If I shoot a senior I may spend 30 min on a retouch...maybe even blur, use healing tool...the customer loves the photo and has no understanding of skin texture and dodge and burn. For myself, knowing more and improving my skills helps me go faster and provide a better finished product. High end, I agree, is a totally different ball game where one has to be extemely knowlegeable to deliver what ever look is expected. Starting out one needs to learn the basics and the tools. Once mastered one is more comfortable experimenting and in a position to learn more advanced techniques. Not everyone is going to be a retoucher for a magazine or an advertising agency.

flexmanta · #13 02-06-2010, 08:44 AM

Fair enough...

skydog · #14 02-06-2010, 08:58 AM

Flex
The more I learn the more I realize how much I don't know and how much more I want to explore and experiment. I find it is never ending...thank God for that...it keeps my interest and stimulates my passion. I appreciate you for your own thoughts, experiences and technical expertise.

_Steve_ · #15 02-06-2010, 11:33 AM

Chris Tarantino's work i find amazing..and ofc Natalia Taffarel's work is outstanding....didn't she made a dvd or something?

PD_BARBS · #16 02-06-2010, 01:18 PM

Theres a video of her workflow on this site, if thats any use.

http://www.13bdesign.com/blog/?p=82

creativeretouch · #17 02-06-2010, 02:16 PM

Try to think as a photographer working in the darkroom in old good times ... What do I have to do to improve this picture? Improve contrast? Colors? Crop it? Improve details? .... Than you can start to think which technique is the best to use for each step ...
And you will find your own way ...

SymbolPhoto · #18 02-06-2010, 02:41 PM

Nevermind, found it here:

http://www.digitalphotoshopretouchin...ing-dvd-2.html

SymbolPhoto · #19 02-06-2010, 02:53 PM

Just ordered her DVD. I'm hoping to learn more about D&B technique..

www.fredny.com · #20 02-06-2010, 03:02 PM

me

)

www.fredny.com

Calvinhollywood · #21 02-06-2010, 03:15 PM

Nice work Fredny:-)

lg Calvin

www.fredny.com · #22 02-06-2010, 03:28 PM

Just kidding, its not for me to say whether I am the best but personally I think Pascal Dangin from Box is. He has been a mentor of my own for many years.

flexmanta · #23 02-06-2010, 03:33 PM

Fredny, i just sent you a private message.

skydog · #24 02-06-2010, 07:19 PM

good article

http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f52...ion-80052.html

http://personalmba.com/pascal-dangin/

linmar · #25 02-08-2010, 01:27 AM

Thanks a lot for all the responses so far!!! Will keep me busy for a while

linmar · #26 02-09-2010, 12:10 AM

@fredny: Impressive Portfolio. Would you mind to share some before/after images? Thanks!!! (I saw the offer on your website

hope it's ok?)

zganie · #27 02-09-2010, 02:26 AM

Really this question can not be answered Ask 100 different people get at least 75 different answers
Plus Depending on the job and budget would give you different answers
So i think it should be more specific like whos the best at Fashion retouching or product or architecture etc... but still its just an opinion

linmar · #28 02-09-2010, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zganie

Really this question can not be answered Ask 100 different people get at least 75 different answers
Plus Depending on the job and budget would give you different answers
So i think it should be more specific like whos the best at Fashion retouching or product or architecture etc... but still its just an opinion

well, it wasn't meant to be a competition, I just wanted to look at the work of some really good guys to get a feeling of what's possible (in the different areas of retouching). The info I received so far was quite helpful, so thanks a lot ...

influenza · #29 02-09-2010, 02:16 PM

Did anyone see HIGH-END INDUSTRY RETOUCHING TECHNIQUES Series One with Vitaly Druchinin?

http://www.digitalphotoshopretouchin...hing-dvd-1.htm

It was made by the same company as Natalias.

SymbolPhoto · #30 02-09-2010, 03:50 PM

Just a heads up, speaking of the best, one of the masters of lighting is giving a workshop in NYC, i'm attending and bunch of other photography folks are. I'm a true believer in getting it right from the camera. Well, as much as possible. And Frank follows that ethos.

Here is the link:

http://www.frankdoorhof.com/ny/

You can sign right up on his site, via paypal. The workshop is limited to 15 folks, so it's going to be great instruction. Can't wait.