You can learn the techniques but not the poetry

[garnet01]

Anyone can learn how to add contrast and smooth skin, but not everyone has the eye on how to make an image poetic.

[Jerryb]

hi,
I agree with you... it one thing to know the technical skills and it another to apply a feeling/emotions to them... that one of the things i learned from my art appreciation classes I took years a go ... not just the technical skills aspects painters use but how they incorporate feelings/emotions to get the results they needed...

I found having that art background helps immeasurably when I am repairing or retouching... if only my skills were better.. smiling...

[skoobey]

Also, PATIENCE IS EVERYTHING, both when shooting, and when you're retocuhing. If I retouch an image for 7 hours, it is going to look much more sophisticated than if spend considerably less time.

Yes, I do retouch at principle one image-one hour when the printing presses demand it but it is only viable for 8x10 or similar sizes.

THE MORE YOU SPEND ON THE IMAGE IN TERMS OF RESEARCH, INVOLVEMENT AND EXPERIMENTATION, THE BETTER RESULTS WILL BE.