Photographer to Retoucher...Advice needed Pls!

vapman · #16 04-30-2008, 06:18 AM

Just to let you guys know i dont draw either. And as far as i know none the retoucher colleagues i know (personally) can draw either, and these are people working for the fashion and advertising industry.
If you want to do photoart based stuff, it might be useful but for photography retouching, not at all

vapman · #17 04-30-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

No. well, except for the missing one....

Now that it was mentioned, i was kinda curious to see Mr Profane's stuff too.

toan thai · #18 04-30-2008, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vapman

Just to let you guys know i dont draw either. And as far as i know none the retoucher colleagues i know (personally) can draw either, and these are people working for the fashion and advertising industry.
If you want to do photoart based stuff, it might be useful but for photography retouching, not at all

it can help one understand perspective better and among other things...

no one said you MUST take art classes. there is more to retouching than cloning zits. so having some art knowledge will help...as it did for me.

vapman · #19 04-30-2008, 07:46 AM

We were talking about drawing, not art classes. I believe those are very different subject matters.

toan thai · #20 04-30-2008, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vapman

We were talking about drawing, not art classes. I believe those are very different subject matters.

what the heck do you do in art classes? taking pictures?

the entire discussion on this thread is not about DRAWING, it's about APPLYING what you know from art courses; from drawing. APPLYING, get it?!!!!!

Benny Profane · #21 04-30-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vapman

Now that it was mentioned, i was kinda curious to see Mr Profane's stuff too.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/...76d7f6.jpg?v=0

Markzebra · #22 05-02-2008, 06:11 PM

a great piece of work Benny, like the expression on his face there

Benny Profane · #23 05-02-2008, 06:17 PM

Thanks, Apeman. It's the new Neo Benny school of art that is all the rage. I'll sell it to you you for a few drinks.

toan thai · #24 05-02-2008, 07:00 PM

benny,

i admire your penmanship. your drawing skill is...well, light years ahead of your time

vapman · #25 05-05-2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toan thai

what the heck do you do in art classes? taking pictures?

the entire discussion on this thread is not about DRAWING, it's about APPLYING what you know from art courses; from drawing. APPLYING, get it?!!!!!

I don't understand two things, first this discussion started with knowing how to draw for retouching and now you say its NOT about drawing?
(not that it makes alot of difference, I still think going art classes when you really need is to learn your photoshop is just beating around the bush)
And second, please have manners when replying.
If I or anyone else wishes to share their views and experience, and then get those sort of comments back... well, I better not go wasting my time here being treated like an idiot by anyone who happens to think he or she knows best.

I personally recommend Jadams007 post in this thread. That's good advice. An experience I believe everyone in this business can relate to.

Markzebra · #26 05-06-2008, 04:15 PM

Don't feel too discouraged Vapman, I spent about 3 years in an art school life drawing, and I think thats what helps me do my job every day. Still not anywhere near as good at anatomy and proportions as I should be though :-/

ftp-Jeff · #27 05-07-2008, 07:18 AM

Here is a bit of advice....

Ignore all filters in Photoshop, NEVER EVER use the heal tool. Do not blur skin. And only use the clone tool if you have to!

Or, you could ignore all that advice and be another "smudger."

Jeff

wtowle · #28 05-08-2008, 07:20 AM

I've been reading all of your posts about my initial advice to this person trying to break in . I've been quiet , not knowing if I wanted to get back in the mix , until this mornings interview came out in the New Yorker with Pascal Dangin (world renown retoucher , owner of Box Studios in NY). His article reads that he requires his artists to take in-house anatomy and figure drawing. He is THE best around. out-

ftp-Jeff · #29 05-08-2008, 07:26 AM

It really helps if you are artistic.....

videosean · #30 05-08-2008, 11:11 AM

If you don't have some sort of understanding of anatomy then you might never be able to make alterations to someone's bone structure or waistline convincingly.

If you don't have a clue as to what 'color theory' is then you may stare at your monitor for hours trying to figure out how to fix some odd color cast instead of just knowing what the problem is and how to fix it.

Art schools won't teach you to be artistic or creative or to have vision... quite frankly I'm not sure what they teach at all. If you have skills you can definitely refine and improve them through the practice they'll give you but I think one could argue that the same can be accomplished on your own if you are dedicated enough. Perhaps they can teach you to have a thick skin if you undergo enough harsh peer reviews and that will just prepare you better for the internet and life in general really. I can't draw figures for crap but I struggled through a few figure drawing courses and think I managed to learn something from them other than I can't draw lifeforms at all... no BFA... and I don't make a living at this.