Are you wondering what things like: edited, retouched, photoshopped & post-processed actually mean?
Good question!
These words are often used interchangeably by photographers, or even mean different things to different photographers. So, to help understand what kind of editing your photos will have, I’ve made this blog post!
Step 1: Original image from the camera
I capture images as NEF files, Nikon’s own RAW format, capturing all the data from the camera’s sensor without major processing. This offers more flexibility for adjustments like exposure and color balance in editing, unlike JPEG or other compressed formats.
But here’s the thing – I’d never hand over these RAW gems directly to you. Why? Besides needing special software to view them, they’re not quite ready for the spotlight. They need a bit of finesse and polish in the editing process to truly shine and reflect your memories in the best light possible.
Step 2: NEF to JPG Post-Processing (Editing)
Using Adobe Lightroom, I dive into each photo, tweaking color, exposure, highlights, and more to bring out the best in your memories. Lightroom is my magic wand for artistic editing, allowing me to perfect brightness, balance, and even add creative touches like vignettes.
This is where your photos transform, getting ready for their moment in the limelight. Once perfected, they’re exported as high-resolution JPGs, ready for you to cherish.
Most of the time, this is all a photo needs to look great and no further steps are needed. This is also the step at which you’ll see your photos and can make your selections to which ones you want to keep from your gallery.
Step 3: Retouching (“Photoshopping”)
Sometimes for portraits or weddings, clients have special requests to their photos, and in these cases, I turn to Adobe Photoshop for retouching.
Photoshop is a more powerful tool for detailed and advanced editing. It has the capability to create composite images, remove elements from a photo, change the color of objects and retouch portraits with a high degree of accuracy and artistry using brushes and layers.
In the example here, I’ve changed the color of the woman’s jacket, removed her stray hairs and dark spot in the background as well as retouched her skin (though it was near flawless already). This is just to show you what can be done, and the possibilities are endless!
Headshot clients: Your two images of choice will be retouched at this level
Family / Portrait clients: Your chosen 5 to 15 (depending on your session) will be retouched at this level.
Wedding clients: Any close-up photos chosen for your wedding album will be retouched at this level.
In summary…
If you’re not sure if something would be included or not, think of it like this: Editing enhances your images within the realm of my photography, while retouching alters elements beyond what was captured. Dreaming of adding a sunset or tweaking a portrait? That’s where retouching comes in, starting at $25 per image for simple edits to $100+ for complex creations.
Got questions or special requests? I’m here to make your photo dreams come true, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Thanks for joining me on this journey through the magic of photo editing!
