[pixel_monkey]

So you know how to push the easy button and have the hardware to process 375 raw files in an hour with ease. Why are you looking people to push the same easy button for you and pay them money to get the same result that you're already getting it on your own?

[jkayphotos]

pixe_monkey - cause there isn't any easy button. i'm not looking to run an action on all files, I need someone to look at the images, be able to cull down to a set of the best, visually pick out series of images based on lighting & other conditions, individually correct one of the series (or check to see that the auto corrections worked well), and then apply that setting to the rest in the series. and when a tricky white balance or contrast or whatever pops up...deal with it.

lightroom's automatic features and the presets that I've made are generally very good...but those algorithms are just working towards an average. they aren't able to evaluate what's important in a photograph, or what would be natural. it'll be a long time before computers replace a photo editor's trained eye.

at any rate, i'm finally in contact with one of the companies that (thank goodness) doesn't have a waiting list. i'll be sending test files there, and hopefully it will work out.

if i still sound crazy to anyone, here's an example of one of the companies that does what i'm talking about: http://shootdotedit.com

again, i'm sorry if i offended anyone here. I realize that most of you have highly developed skill sets, and it would be a waste of your talent to take on a job like this. (for the same reason i don't take photos for ebay sellers). Thanks for taking the questions of a new person to the forum, I really do appreciate it!

[zganie]

I think part of the problem would be editing down to the photos you need,some might be obvious but you have talked with the client so you know there wants/needs which the person you outsource to might not

also pricing might be another reason

just my opinion zganie

[grafx]

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

What's your game, photographer person? You seem to be hip to the software out there, and know what you want, so why are you spending so much time here? Get to work.

Are you being "cute" or an ass? I cannot tell. I really don't know why everyone is getting so PO'd over this. The man was asking questions. Since when does anyone get blasted over questions on RetouchPro? Is it because he is a photographer? Because people have "diva" complexes? Because he is not taking job applicants?

So educate me ... What is the deal people?

[cricket1961]

Hi Jillian

I just took a look at the link you posted. Some of the before and after shots are quite different. Almost to the point of looking like another photographer took them and it is not "your shot" anymore, if you know what I mean.
How does a company handle the "artistic edits"? Is this something that you decide on before hand? Or do they just decide what to do to each image?

I don't think you offended anyone on the site. The web can be so un-personal at times.

Chris

[jkayphotos]

zganie - thanks, i appreciate your opinion!
grafx - haha, i had assumed "cute"

Originally Posted by cricket1961

Hi Jillian

I just took a look at the link you posted. Some of the before and after shots are quite different. Almost to the point of looking like another photographer took them and it is not "your shot" anymore, if you know what I mean.
How does a company handle the "artistic edits"? Is this something that you decide on before hand? Or do they just decide what to do to each image?

I don't think you offended anyone on the site. The web can be so un-personal at times.

Chris

Chris - usually what they do is work with the photographer to learn what the expected style is (ie, how warm or cool, how bright, how much contrast, how much saturation.) RAW files are usually pretty flat (at least in my case, where i turn off all in-camera enhancements), so once you add the normal amount of basic editing, it can be a pretty dramatic difference.

"Artistic Edits" are usually charged by the hour, above the normal fee. This is b/w or sepia converstions, facial retouching, and custom dodging/burning. You tell them how many hours to spend, and what your priorities are and they get as much done as they can (at least the few i've looked at handle it that way).



At any rate, I think I've stirred up enough trouble here. And generally I have my answer - this isn't the kind of work that retouchers want. Thanks again for all of your input!

[cricket1961]

Jillian

Can I PM you about this? Or can you PM me a business email or contact?

Chris

[pixel_monkey]

Jillian,

I don’t think you’ve offended anyone, either, at least not me. I just wanted to find what exactly that you want. What you initially asked for required individual attention to each image. Consistency doesn’t come from batch processing. Most retouchers don’t own Lightroom and we don’t need to. We know how to set up elaborate actions to use alongside with Bridge if we become desperate. That’s exactly the kind of processing you’ll be getting if you did find somebody, because no one is able to go through that many files in an hour without pushing buttons. I’m quite familiar with wedding photography. Most wedding photographers use either Lightroom or Aperture, because they simply shoot more than they have to and don’t have the time and skill to edit each image individually. The number one issue as a result from using these applications is inconsistency. The most expensive product they can sell is the album, and you only about 80 images to create an average 30 sides album that illustrates the whole event from start to finish. I said this because I do freelance album designs for a wedding photography studio. I only do the designing and no retouching, but often time I cannot help to fix the colors for them due to the automated process they use. It only takes one off key image to ruin not just the page it’s in, but the whole album itself. This is one item that the couples will keep for a long time; it needs to look great in all aspects.
Now that I get the gist of what you’re looking for, I do know a business that offers the services that might suit your needs. PM me if you want the name.

[Benny Profane]

Originally Posted by grafx

Are you being "cute" or an ass? I cannot tell. I really don't know why everyone is getting so PO'd over this. The man was asking questions. Since when does anyone get blasted over questions on RetouchPro? Is it because he is a photographer? Because people have "diva" complexes? Because he is not taking job applicants?

So educate me ... What is the deal people?

I'm being an ass, probably. I see another person, a photographer, who has discovered that digital is a bit more work than he has imagined, and is looking for the easy and cheap way out. I think he should hire a relative or schoolkid, teach him how to press the easy button, and deal with the turnover that will surely occur, if Starbucks is hiring. Or do it himself. This forum is about retouching, not clerical work for photographers. I think.