Forums > Critique > Serious Critique > Seriously need honest critical critiques

Retoucher

Retouching-Rolanda Dawn

Posts: 41

Memphis, Tennessee, US

I tried this in another critique forum with no bites so here I am with the big dogs. I would like to hear feedback for my entire portfolio. I would like to know if I should get rid of anything. I'm very attached to some of my older works :-) I've had discussion with family and they say I don't charge enough per image but I'm not sure of this so if you could quote how much YOU would value my work that would be great. I have very thick skin and I will take everyone's opinions seriously. I'm self taught so I don't know a lot of the technical term in retouching so please speak plainly. I guess that's all.... Have your way!!!!

Update:
P.S. Keep in mind that some of the things may have been requested by client...

Rolanda Dawn

Apr 09 13 07:11 pm Link

Photographer

Lee_Photography

Posts: 9863

Minneapolis, Minnesota, US

https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/130401/18/515a31882f8b5_m.jpg
Of the work you have displayed this is one of your better ones
[But why add the lens flair; with out that it would be better for my taste]
Suggest cropping above the line where the slip or what ever ends

https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/130404/18/515e2cf6dbfe5_m.jpg
If the top is the finished product it looks too much like a porcelain doll
There looks to be a lighter patch above models left eye
Would also crop photo to get rid of building, need more space in front of her not behind
You could also level the horizon of the water

Apr 09 13 08:56 pm Link

Photographer

Wendy Hurst Portrait

Posts: 249

Riverton, Utah, US

Lee_Photography wrote:
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/130401/18/515a31882f8b5_m.jpg
Of the work you have displayed this is one of your better ones
[But why add the lens flair; with out that it would be better for my taste]
Suggest cropping above the line where the slip or what ever ends

I agree about the lens flare. The background is blank and there's no light source to cause the flare so it's just distracting.

I can't comment on the pricing since I don't know the average rates for professional retouchers.

Here's a quick tip though. Professional Photographer Magazine just published an article that puts it best by saying "as long as the [photoshop] technique is done appropriately, without drawing attention to itself, enhancements should be able to stand the test of time." If you're going for a look that falls into that category, you might benefit from evaluating your images from that standpoint before you begin. Just a suggestion though. If what you do is already the style you like, that's great too.

Here's the link to the full article if you're interested.

http://www.ppmag.com/web-exclusives/201 … hting.html

Apr 24 13 09:43 pm Link

Photographer

Jean Renard Photography

Posts: 2170

Los Angeles, California, US

To start off about your comment some of the effects might have been requested by clients:
Since this is YOUR book however only show images that are the way you would have wanted it.

now specifically
The white gown shot could be cool, but I'd bring the water all the way to the edge and get rid of those horrible rocks then it might be a portfolio shot..

This works great:
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/090728/12/4a6f4b6a28656_m.jpg

This works except for the strange eye thing
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/130404/18/515e2d8a19535_m.jpg

you tend to overdo the skin softening stuff, it may be fine for MM and the facebook crowd but not for serious advertising.  IF you want to push the digital 'look', there was an interesting thread here:http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=887619

bottom line, make sure no one knows you were there.

Apr 25 13 12:16 am Link