Photography undoubtedly accounts for one of the biggest shares of investments in a wedding. You ultimately need the best, most vivid, and treasure-worthy memories from your big day, and it inevitably necessitates the services of an experienced professional. While a big part of creating immersive wedding pictures involves accurate and creative manual shooting by the photographers, there is also a significant role played by the editing team. Thoughtful and specific purpose-driven edits can immensely transform an ordinary photo into an immersive gem that will take you back to your special day every time you look at it.
This is why it is important to partner with an efficient and experienced Chicago wedding photographer, who understands the nuances of editing and retouching, and the magic it can create.
As a couple investing a substantial amount into photography, it will be worthwhile for you to get a better grip on the concept and understand the value of the expertise you are paying for. It will also help you set expectations right and achieve a smooth partnership with your photographer.
To help you in your journey, here is everything you need to know about editing and retouching, and what to expect from your service provider.
Editing Vs Retouching
Editing and retouching are two different concepts, although many people mistake them to mean the same. While editing involves basic corrections of color, contrast, saturation, exposure, and cropping, retouching incorporates advanced changes like smoothing of the skin, removal of other inconsistencies like stray hairs, acne, etc., or even removal of unnecessary distractions including another object or person. Editing is essentially a process that enhances the natural attributes of the photo; it is done to make the picture more vivid and immersive. Retouching on the other hand is a process that alters certain aspects of the photo and it is usually done only with the approval of the clients or if there are specific requirements.
As an experienced Chicago wedding photographer, we strive to provide an accurate and real representation of wedding moments for our clients, which is why we perform very minimal and essential retouches only. A majority of the pictures we deliver are only edited for basic enhancements, which allows us to offer an authentic viewing experience to our clients.
The editing process
Here is what a typical editing process entails.
Culling the pictures
The first step in the editing stage is eliminating the undesired and redundant copies out of the hundreds of raw pictures taken at a wedding. This process, known as culling, involves careful examination of each picture, removal of unnecessary pieces, and selection of some of the best ones that accurately represent each moment or detail. Depending on the package inclusions, the photography style, and initial discussions, you can expect to receive anywhere between 300 to 800 photos. Some photographers deliver more as well.
Basic adjustments
This is where most of the magic happens and only a skilled Chicago wedding photographer can create the best outcome. The process entails adjusting attributes like color, contrast, and exposure to enhance the visual impact of the image.
For example, the exposure and contrast are adjusted to optimize the light and brightness, ensuring that the image appears neither too bright nor too dark. Color correction on the other hand is done to ensure consistency of colors and appearance; it also involves balancing shadows and highlights so that the best elements of the image are clearly visible. Lastly, cropping and straightening edits are made to optimize the composition and to ensure that all the lines and angles are perfect.
The retouching process
The main goal of retouching is to remove inconsistencies that glaringly distract the viewing experience. Here is what a typical retouching process entails.
Skin smoothing and removal of blemishes
The first alteration is skin smoothing which involves removing blemishes, and acne and smoothing out the skin while maintaining a natural look. Minor imperfections like stray hairs, pimples, or dark circles may also be retouched to enhance the natural beauty of the picture. Only a highly skilled Chicago wedding photographer will be able to perform optimal retouches while preserving the natural quality and appeal of the pictures.
Background correction
The next step is to remove unnecessary distractions including objects like trash cans or signboards that interfere with the aesthetic quality of the picture. Further corrections are made to ensure that the background optimally complements the subject and enhances the overall beauty of the picture.
Enhancing natural features
Featuring enhancing involves improving the visual appeal of some of the best features of the photo. For example, unflattering wrinkles or other minor flaws in the outfits will be removed, eyes are teeth can be brightened if required, etc.
Advanced editing
Photographers sometimes perform more creative edits to lend wedding pictures a specific look or theme. These edits are typically discussed with clients beforehand so that the outcome aligns with expectations. For example, photographers may use effects like black and white, sepia, or vintage tones to add a unique touch. These filters and special effects may not be applied to all, but only a few pictures, depending on what prior discussions and agreements with your Chicago wedding photographer.
Communication and expectations
As it goes without saying, communication is key when it comes to setting expectations right. For the same reason, it is important to discuss all aspects including editing preferences, themes, number of photos, turnaround time, as well as any special requests beforehand. Schedule detailed consultations before the big day to establish clarity across all aspects to ensure that there are no surprises at the end.
Spend sufficient time researching and understanding your photographer’s filming and editing style as well. Go through their gallery to see if their imagery resonates with you, and discuss your needs to see if they can do justice to your wedding vision.
In addition to pre-wedding discussions, schedule a post-wedding meeting as well to review a draft of the edited images. This will be your chance to communicate any changes you need and to request specific retouches. Ensure to provide clear and constructive feedback so that you can extract exactly what you need from the partnership.
Wrapping up
Editing and retouching are crucial aspects that contribute to the overall viewing experience of your wedding pictures. Understanding these processes well will not only help you set expectations right and ensure optimal deliveries but also allow you to appreciate the effort that goes into creating beautiful and vivid wedding pictures. Refer to this mini guide to wedding photography editing and partner with a transparent Chicago wedding photographer to set realistic expectations and make the most of your photography investment.
If you are looking for fully customizable wedding photography services, contact Shan Photography!
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