Industry Retouching Standards??? Dilema!

[burgerfeet]

Hi All,

I firstly apologise if I have started this thread in the wrong forum. Seemed logical...I think.

A little background....

I have recently using CS5 edit/retouch my own photographs. As I was fairly new to the PS concepts I have done may tutorials based on the advice given within this forum for which I am sincerely appreciative of. Particularly enjoying Calvin Holloywoods work. I am now quite proficient with CS5 now as a result of subscribing to Calvin's Tutorials and Kelby Training.

My monthly subscription for Kelby has expired but inbetween I stumbled ascross Lynda.com. Had a look at the free extracts from the tutorials but not entirely convinced. I then did the Kelby Vs Lynda search on google and stumbled across a statement made within a forum. The statement clearly stated that neither Kelby OR Lynda are anygood with training as they are no where near industry standard!!!!

Now for the question....

Is this statement true???

Is there much more to be understood or learned about using PS than that covered by tutorials within these sites such as Kelby, NAPP and Lynda for example.

I would really like some clarification as to whether or not I would only just 'skimm' the surface of PS and retouching by only using online training.

Many thanks,
Andrew

PS As for MY decision of where to go next, I can make use of the free Lynda 7 day trial and decide for myself then jump back to Kelby Training if necessary, which I enjoy as it is a mix of photography and retouching tutorials.

[amica999]

Hi Andrew, can't speak for Kelby Training, but I had subscribed to Lynda some time ago (for a month only) I guess it depends on where you want to go with your retouching. If we are talking about vacation snapshots, family portriat of aunt Clara etc. then you will be fine with what they offer, if you instead are thinking of going professional especially on beauty retouching there are definitely other techniques to be learned. I can recommend Natalia Taffarel's DVD and the just published "The Art of Dodge & Burn" by Krunoslav Stifter.

Both available here: http://www.digitalphotoshopretouching.com/
I haven't purchased the 1st in the series as the reviews didn't convince me.

Hope that this is of help :-)

[burgerfeet]

A very good answer and appreciated!!! Fashion and beauty is not really my thing...well i don't thinks so yet. I have seen a couple of Natalia Taffarel's videos and I know exactly what you mean. They are excellent and the results are amazing.

I am now assuming that the techniques that you are taught within the likes of Lynda etc, give you a foundation when it comes to using the controls. Further development of 'your' skills can then be honed by demonstrations seen in Natalia Taffarel's dvd. I am a little more enlightned now :o)

Thank you,
Andrew

[burgerfeet]

Whilst on the subject...are there any high end subscriptions/dvds out there that doesn't just have an emphasis on facial retouching?

Thanks in advance.

[amica999]

Sorry, not that I know of, there are certain specialists on different topics like product retouching (perfume, cosmetics, watches, jewelry etc), which may also involve compositing images from different shots, but I haven't heard of any subscription service. I believe RetouchPro has some rentals on these topics, did you check?

[SEP Studios]

Did that poster also post a link to his work? I would see what his "standards" are before taking any advice from him.

Keep an open mind about it, learning is an ongoing process. If you think you might pick up some new techniques from Lynda or Kelby then I say go for it.

Scott

SEP Studios Retouching
http://www.retoucher.net

[Siciliana]

I have watched many of the videos on Lynda and Kelby. I do not think there is any bad information there and in fact I think I watched a video on Lynda.com about color management that was pretty thorough and accurate. Different presenters have different styles. There are certain teachers I like, and others (like Deke McClelland) that I personally cannot stand to listen to. However, I take an open approach and like to I absorb everything I can if it will add to what I already know. I often watch tutorials on one monitor while working on the other, because most of it will not be any new information to me, but then when I hear something new, I'll pause and rewind and go back over it to focus on the details.

As far as those sites you mentioned, the retouching tutorials are geared towards photographers who want to retouch their own photos and give a good introduction to the art of retouching. However there are many more advance techniques, particularly for skin or for compositing or photo illustration that will not be covered there. It just depends on how far you want to take it. I'd also recommend Gry Garness for some good basics of beauty retouching technique. Other than that, if you want to have professional technique, the real trick is to work in a professional environment with other more experienced retouchers or to continue to peruse the web and forums like this and try to solve problems on your own. It is like any subject, you can get deeper and deeper, and more creative, the longer you do it and the more time you devote to solving your own retouching challenges.

By comparison, many of the photography technique videos on those sites you mentioned would be well above what your average amateur photographer knows, but at the same time the material covered will be considered basic or old hat to a pro photographer. I think one should keep an open mind and keep learning. Follow your curiosity. The more you listen to and learn from what other people are doing the more you will find that there are certain kinds of techniques and workflow that are somewhat universal and then there are other added touches that make the difference between a competent retouch and a high-caliber image. That's how I approach learning, at least.

If you are learning something, go with it, but don't think that once you've mastered the tutorials you know all there is to know. Your own desire to learn and to better your previous achievements will guide you. That is how all artists make their way.

Cheers,
Amy

[kav]

Guys there's not a single tutorial out there that will ever answer anything truly difficult for you, and the basics are things you can find online free. The reason some of those dvds and lessons sell is because they're nicely packaged and marketed, but it's simply not possible for them to get into the harder stuff without frustrating a portion of their potential audience.

[Repairman]

The best training comes from working with really picky art directors. All the work I'm proud of was a pain in the ass to do at the time!

[burgerfeet]

Wow :o) Sincere thanks for everyone's advice!!!!!

[graham73]

I have been using photoshop for about 17 years, and am still learning, It is important to know how to use your tools first before you create some art, There are still many projects I take on that I have no idea on how it's going to be done, but because I know photoshop well enough I will find a way of doing it, this is the best way to learn as you are constantly pushing yourself.