Certified Retoucher

[Doug Nelson]

I have an idea for how a certification process might actually work for retouchers. But the question is: would anyone care?

[Mike]

Re: Certified Retoucher

I am sure the folks doing the certifying would care, there is most likely more money in granting certificates than actually doing retouching.

And just who certifies the certifiers?

[skoobey]

Re: Certified Retoucher

Oh I'm sure there are scams like this out there.

[Doug Nelson]

Re: Certified Retoucher

I'm sure there are. But what if it wasn't? The hows and who certifies aside, if there were a reputable certification program available, would anyone want such a thing?

[Aladdin]

Re: Certified Retoucher

I think it all boils down to good taste and common sense! Can we certify this? I am afraid it is subjective!

If you really want to weed out the nonsense, I would recommend ACE -Adobe Certified Expert-, at least she or he demonstrates the knowledge of the various tools and settings of PS. Anyone that goes through the grilling process of ACE will never end up using Gaussian Blur to clean up skin

[Doug Nelson]

Re: Certified Retoucher

I think it all boils down to good taste and common sense! Can we certify this? I am afraid it is subjective!

That's the "idea" I referred to in the OP.

[Benny Profane]

Re: Certified Retoucher

Anyone that goes through the grilling process of ACE will never end up using Gaussian Blur to clean up skin

I know nothing about this ACE process. I've always suspected it creates geeks who know Adobe stuff in and out and can probably teach basic and intermediate courses in Photoshop, but, do they teach people how to retouch skin?

[Aladdin]

Re: Certified Retoucher

I know nothing about this ACE process. I've always suspected it creates geeks who know Adobe stuff in and out and can probably teach basic and intermediate courses in Photoshop, but, do they teach people how to retouch skin?

There is no teaching involved in the process, you are on your own, when you think you are ready, pay the fee (around $180, or it was back then) to attend the test. Available in many major cities.

I am not at liberty to discus questions, however, here is a sample of what might be there:

- Would you consider the color 197,190,194 as:
grey scale, within the boundaries of grey scale, none.

- What is the effect of the screen blend mode on the color 78, 120, 165 - In what way this color will change?
(options)

- What is the difference between Opacity and flow layer settings?
(options)

- What is the purpose of the Blend-If command?
blend if color match, blend if colors do not match, blend if lighter/darker.

This is from memory, the test has all to do with how knowledgeable the person is with the various tools and settings of PS, it has nothing to do with whether the person actually know how to use them. Yes, it might sound like nerdy, but, it is not, in the sense that we get tons of questions on this forum asking "How to do this", "how to create this tone", etc, etc If the person knows the tools, the majority of this questions will not be asked.

[skoobey]

Re: Certified Retoucher

If you're getting paid, every one of those bills is your certificate. Also, there are college degrees out there. You are free to enroll.

[AKMac]

Re: Certified Retoucher

Creative people are hired on the quality of their work. A certificate without a portfolio sounds meaningless. A certificate with a portfolio sounds pointless.

[Doug Nelson]

Re: Certified Retoucher

I got A+ certified last year. It's a pretty inconsequential certification as things go, and a different industry. It would certainly never get you a job. But it did get me some interviews I'd not have gotten otherwise. The same company offers more substantial certifications, as do many others, none of which I'll be pursuing, that will instantly get your shortlisted for most relevant jobs.

But more interestingly, they publish a directory so that any employer in need can instantly browse a listing of qualified potential candidates.

Sort of a shorthand for hirers that means "not a waste of your time to investigate".

So yes, your portfolio is what will get you hired. Certification would merely serve to get your portfolio seen, and perhaps raise the odds of being contacted.

Plus a portfolio gives no information about the retoucher like "do they do consistent work" or "can they meet a deadline" or even "are they easy to work with". Let alone more technical aspects like "can they Pantone match" or "are they comfortable with CMYK" (two random examples I've come across in the past, don't get distracted by the examples).

[skoobey]

Re: Certified Retoucher

Well, you can always go to a school of applied arts and get a certificate, they will give you a diploma if you can do all the tests. Very simple, really, and same goes for every profession.

I'm not saying it's completely pointless, I am saying that some new "institution" that gives out certificates is a total scam, unless these are actually well known professionals. There are many certificate scams out there.

For example I do have a retouching certificate(hahaha, twist in the plot) as I attended a retouching course. Sure, I'd line up for a Pascal, Tarantino, Beene certificate, because employers know those names.

[Doug Nelson]

Re: Certified Retoucher

That's an easy board of directors to build (except for Dangin, he never answers my emails, but not impossible). And a board of that type (though much larger) is one of the foundations of my "idea".

[skoobey]

Re: Certified Retoucher

Well it sure would look good in anyone's portfolio (especially junior to mid level) to be approved by a known name.

[joe_7]

Re: Certified Retoucher

Been thinking about this all day... I feel that a retouching certificate should have a hearty helping of design and color concepts. Another important thing is being able to explain *why* you did what you did. Technical skills matter but must be backed up by design/communication skills.