Not so good retouching job tests

[MandaJ]

Hi all,

Had a test for a retouching position the other day that didn't go as well as I would have liked.

It got me thinking about the challenges of going for a test when your using a different mouse/stylus, different operating system, and perhaps even a different version of software.

All of a sudden you find yourself going blank on things that usually come automatically, and of course being aware of time ticking by only adds to your anxiety and slows you down.

Has anyone else shared a similar experience when testing for a position?

[timwbrown]

Hi

I feel for you.
I just went through the same process with bad test results.
The agency that had me do a test thankfully let me use a mouse
and not the Wacom tablet that was installed.
I have a Wacom tablet but find it hard to use.

I still failed the test as they wanted to see mostly how I organize & identify layers and layer groups so that the file can be passed on to anyone else in a creative group. I have been working alone so my ignorance to this really opened my eyes.

I'm curious what you are used to specifically and what equipment they made you use for the test? I can tell you, I just said I don't use a tablet, and they seemed fine with that. They mentioned that they have some employees that do the same. So one word of advise is maybe to ask if you can use a mouse.

Are you used to Mac and they made you use a PC? Or visa versa?
I'm in San Francisco and it seems like the whole creative industry is using macs.

Tim

[pixelzombie]

same thing happened to me last year, the pre-press shop i interviewed for neglected to tell me they'd be giving me a test so i didn't bring my mouse in, so i ended up using the crappy wacom mouse and it's a piece of crap..i was not in my element and didn't feel that i did as good as i could've..i didn't get the job but it turned out to be a blessing as they have been in financial difficulty since last fall...

[timwbrown]

I should ADD that I am forcing myself to now use the tablet, even though I still don't like it, I need to know that I feel comfortable with it. The tablet does not track with relative movements but with exact placement on the tablet. It's not crap, it just feels really weird. The tablet frame is the Display frame, pixel by pixel. There are advantages to a tablet when doing more artistic edits. I just have the smallest 4x6 intuous3 wacom tablet. Another good tool is a keyboard with photoshop shortcuts layed out. Here is one http://www.worldtechdevices.com/apple-photoshop.shtml

[Dave.Cox]

Personally, I prefer the way the mouse tracks with the position on the wacom tablet. I find it easier to control.

The good news however, is that you don't have to have it work that way. If you prefer the more standard mouse feel, all you have to do is change the mouse setting. Go to the Control panel, and select the pen tablet. When the tablet dialog opens, select the mouse tab. On the mouse options tab, locate the tracking control box. change the tracking mode to mouse mode. You will still be restricted to using the mouse on the tablet pad, but the mouse will work more like a conventional mouse. You can also click the details button, and set the tracking speed.

[CaptainHook]

I HATE using PS without a tablet. Feels like a different program.

[marshal]

yeah no disrespect guys but I have to agree with cptn hook. I understand it takes some time to get used to but do you remember what it was like learnng to use a mouse?
Both give you that sense of cognitive dissidence but painting/retouching in Photoshop with a mouse is akin to being a draftsman using crayons. Sure you can build the eifel tower with a stack of toothpicks (anythings possible) but you'd be better suited to using girders and I beams.
I do relate to the pressure of photoshop tests but do yourself a favor, get a intuis 3 and learn to use it. You'll do yourself a favor in the long run.
P.S. I hope that doesn't come off as dogmatic. I just know the benefits of adjusting to it and As A result I'm a big advocate.

[diggnikon]

Hi - i have just been through some interviews myself and found the best way to be prepared was to go tablet in hand and actions & brushes on a pen drive so if at any time you know you could get a call your ready to plug in and play without freaking out when it comes to test's.

I think the other thing we all need to do is have an online presence and keep it simple and neat - no matter how good or bad our work is at the time ! your as good as your last job they say .

Portfolio wise id look towards a 16 x 20 for retouch and keep it simple and neat so it can be viewed for what it is , good retouching . (print off your work and check it visually)

Thought this might help .

[MrAlexajlex]

Originally Posted by diggnikon

Hi - i have just been through some interviews myself and found the best way to be prepared was to go tablet in hand and actions & brushes on a pen drive so if at any time you know you could get a call your ready to plug in and play without freaking out when it comes to test's.

I think the other thing we all need to do is have an online presence and keep it simple and neat - no matter how good or bad our work is at the time ! your as good as your last job they say .

Portfolio wise id look towards a 16 x 20 for retouch and keep it simple and neat so it can be viewed for what it is , good retouching . (print off your work and check it visually)

Thought this might help .

Even though I'm not a Pro retoucher I feel this is the best approach.
I do carry my PS actions on my flash drive which is on my key chain all the time.

You never know when you may need them.

[zganie]

I think you have to be very versatile,since you never know what there going to expect from you.
Unfortunately its not just about retouching,its about being comfortable with different software and hardware
zganie

[moonberry]

Originally Posted by MrAlexajlex

Even though I'm not a Pro retoucher I feel this is the best approach.
I do carry my PS actions on my flash drive which is on my key chain all the time.

You never know when you may need them.

great tip, thanks!!!

[SteveB2005]

I see no reason to be using a mouse for high end retouching, or low end for that matter. Wacom tablets are the industry standard and I see them in all the studios. If you are struggling with it, get some hands on with one and practice before you test. I can work at a very rapid space with my tablets and could not do adequate retouching with a mouse or a PC. Macs are in the majority of the studios, some PCs, but Photoshop runs about the same on both platforms.

I am also curious what kind of tests are you getting specifically? I can fill you in on some of my tests.

One time the art director had me do some precise paths using the mouse and she saw I was struggling. She hid the Wacom and then pulled it out and I then did ok. Then I did some color matching, organized a layered file, answered some technical questions about the Mac and workflow. I did an extraction of a model and had to put it in another background and try to make convincing cast shadows, a few other things and she told me to call her the next week. She had other artists come in and test. I called the next week and she said I had the job if I wanted which I did and stayed on for 2 years. I learned a lot of on the job skills and got to work on some high end retouching for $$$$ ads in trade journals and a lot of other stuff.

What are they testing you guys on these days? Thanks Steve

[Benny Profane]

Originally Posted by SteveB2005

I see no reason to be using a mouse for high end retouching, or low end for that matter. Wacom tablets are the industry standard and I see them in all the studios.

I find this to be one of the great fallacies forced upon retouchers in general. Something happened a few years ago when a new tool became a religion. I work with a mouse a lot, and I think the quality of masks in general suffer from the use of a pen in the cutting process. This is the sort of "easy" thinking that says "I'm an expert, and I know more than you, and if you use a mouse, you are not cool.", because it helps avoid the larger issue, which is, of course, if the retoucher can actually retouch, regardless of tool in hand. Not many can recognize this, because most suck at retouching.

[CaptainHook]

I know what you're saying Benny. Especially when using (ironically) the pen tool with
a mouse. Although for me personally, i'm left-handed. Yet i've never used a mouse
with my left-hand so i feel more precise with a pen tablet with just about every
action i do in photoshop.

Perhaps if i forced myself to re-learn a mouse with my left-hand my experience would
be different. But i do on occasion use both at the same time, and will take over
with the mouse/pen when making a path for certain areas etc as i can have both
in my "strongest" hands simultaneously. Make your weakness your strength, right?

[HughSteenk]

"because most suck at retouching."

amen.

I know several excellent artists who use a mouse only.

[SteveB2005]

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

I find this to be one of the great fallacies forced upon retouchers in general. Something happened a few years ago when a new tool became a religion. I work with a mouse a lot, and I think the quality of masks in general suffer from the use of a pen in the cutting process. This is the sort of "easy" thinking that says "I'm an expert, and I know more than you, and if you use a mouse, you are not cool.", because it helps avoid the larger issue, which is, of course, if the retoucher can actually retouch, regardless of tool in hand. Not many can recognize this, because most suck at retouching.

Benny if a mouse works for you, then go for it. One great retoucher Glenn Honiball says he still uses a mouse. I think what some retouchers were reporting is that when they went out for testing and had no experience with a tablet, the test was presented with the tablet part of the computer. And what works for one doesn't always work for another. There are exceptions of course. For me, a tablet has helped my workflow dramatically. Also my Wacom has a pen and a wireless mouse which comes in handy when I want to drag and click with the clone tool or healing brush. For you, isn't your tool of choice and that's fine too. Use whatever gets the job done the best. I had several clients that never used a tablet and I recommended they try one out which they did and can't get by without it. But I am not downplaying anyone who doesn't have the desire to try one out. But I tell people don't be afraid to experiment a bit. The mouse ain't going anywhere.

I took many art classes and have a life drawing painting background and a mouse just didn't give me the freedom to select, airbrush, or use the pen tool in the most productive way. After seeing artist Bert Monroy creating his work on the Wacom Cintiq, now I want one of those, but they are expensive, about $1200 or so. JMHO

[Markzebra]

Er . leaving Glenn Honiball aside, and pretty far aside, Some people do use mice, is mice .. mouses for cutting out and retouching generally. Just goes to show it is not the tool that maketh the artist. Seem to remember, probably wrongly that I used to draw better paths when I used a mouse, not so good any more, thats why I now avoid pathing wherever I can.

[SteveB2005]

And no matter what, paths can be a real drag, especially having to do a perfect silo on a hi-rez Harley-Davidson stuck in a forest background to be placed on a total white background spoke for spoke. One test I had to do for a journeyman pre-press artist.
No fun there tablet or mouse.