"What do you do? Im a RETOUCHER. What is that??"

[macdool]

Do you ever talk to people and that question comes up and they have no idea what a retoucher is? I get that all the time and I'm trying to find a job title that everyone will understand.

I've tried colour corrector, photographers assistant and many more but they just don't get it. I hate saying Designer because im not one.


What would you say???

[TPF]

Yeah I have had that from people before. I just say, you know that perfect people you see in magazines......I make them look like that after the photo is taken.

[macdool]

I tried that but it sounds like Im boasting about having such a "cool" job. Even though I do think its a cool job I don't want to sound like Im bragging.

[DSutherland]

I have the same problem, people always just instantly assume that I'm a graphic designer because I say I'm a retoucher and try to explain what I do. At one company I worked for they called us Image Technicians (which is confusing because everyone called us IT's for short and that caused even more confusion).
I guess the most simple way to explain it is to say "I edit images mainly using Photoshop" but that sounds really boring and doesn't explain how cool the job actually is.
...has anyone ever been called a processor? that title seems to get thrown around a lot too.

[macdool]

Ive never heard that one before and Image Technician, that just sounds like you fix broken images.

I dig the term.. "Pixel Pusher"

[Quantum3]

Say that you're the guy who make people looking good in magazines.

[4personnen]

Originally Posted by Quantum3

Say that you're the guy who make people looking good in magazines.

And then the people say "Tell me that they are all ugly and fat and that all is fake" Jealousy

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by 4personnen

And then the people say "Tell me that they are all ugly and fat and that all is fake" Jealousy

Indeed, that happens very often

[pixeljar]

Retoucher is a photo editing guy who makes images look great. When I know they won't get it, I just say I am a photographer.

[Repairman]

These days you could say Photoshop Operator. Digital Artist sounds grand of course!

[shift studio]

Originally Posted by Repairman

These days you could say Photoshop Operator. Digital Artist sounds grand of course!

"A photoshop operator! Wow, can you put a person's head on another person's body? Theres a button for that- c'mon I saw it on CSI!"

[twopoint0]

Speaking of CSI- I like when they zoom in on a license plate from an ATM security camera and the final image looks like it was shot with a Hassleblad. That's the kind of sharpening software I want!

[4personnen]

I like the one in "Blade runner" most.

[mushmush]

Blade Runner! haha
"enhance quadrant (blah blah blah)" tik/tik/tik
Mouse vs. Tablet vs. Voice Command software

[Repairman]

...or when the orbiting satellite camera, from directly overhead, zooms in to rooftop level and then magically displays an image of the license plate square on.
R.

[4personnen]

Originally Posted by mushmush

Blade Runner! haha
"enhance quadrant (blah blah blah)" tik/tik/tik
Mouse vs. Tablet vs. Voice Command software

The day it exists, I'll open a plumbing training centre for ex retouchers

[Repairman]

I can only dream of being a plumber!

[twopoint0]

I saw a picture recently of a guy with a huge cart loaded with beach toys, sunscreen lotions, and related junk, hanging out in the tropics selling stuff to tourists, and I thought "now, THAT'S the job for me!"

[LQQKER]

Seems to me if the question comes up, one might say "I work in photography". Then for the obvious follow up question the answer could be "I specialize in Photoshop". Yeah . . . . I know, then to answer the next follow up question, you'd say "it's similiar to plastic surgery, but completely different". I figure at that point, the interrogation will cease due to confusion and everyone will think your a doctor.

[macdool]

Originally Posted by Repairman

...or when the orbiting satellite camera, from directly overhead, zooms in to rooftop level and then magically displays an image of the license plate square on.
R.

hahaha Im shure it wont be to long before these thing become possible and retouchers will become obsolete. All you need is the google earth plug in for photoshop

[julie1]

Of course, we can consider ourselve Photo Manipulators,

[onesh0t]

Just tell them you work with Digital Imaging.

[Benny Profane]

Originally Posted by twopoint0

I saw a picture recently of a guy with a huge cart loaded with beach toys, sunscreen lotions, and related junk, hanging out in the tropics selling stuff to tourists, and I thought "now, THAT'S the job for me!"

And I'll be your assistant helping all of the women apply said lotion on the hard parts.

And then, I'd steer them over to our frozen Margarita cart. Hey, if kiddies get ice cream carts, adult deserve our frozen drinks, right?

[shift studio]

Average person won't know what digital imaging or photo manipulator is either. They'll ask 'oh - you do wedding photos?' (nothing against those who do wedding photos)

--Shift Studio.

[macdool]

Ya, I think ill stick with "Im in photography"..

I tried it at a braai the other day and it worked like a charm, I didnt have to explain anything and the girl didnt even look confused. Ofcourse she still doesnt know what I do but who cares.. This technique can be used for randomers

Does anyone know Max Brooks' Zombie Survival Guide? Now we should have a step by step guide like that

[abenormal]

I used to say "commercial artist" rather than retoucher, especially on bank-type forms that ask for a profession, but now that my job is 12% photography I just say "photographer." It's easier.

[goolug]

You're talking to wrong people.

[RooB]

I usually just call myself a "photo artist"-- it covers creative photography and retouching.

[Karlington]

Or... Why don't we all just say we're retouchers. Eventually everyone will know what that is.

[Mike Needham]

Or... Why don't we all just say we're retouchers.

What?!?! and let sense reign? Never!