Leonor Vicente wrote:
Retouching Academy Facebook page.

Would you like some fries with that spam?

Natalia_Taffarel wrote:

Would you like some fries with that spam?

I was kind of thinking that same thing, but decided to check it out. There are actually a lot of people on there, and some of them have really good advice.

Greg Knoll wrote:
I was kind of thinking that same thing, but decided to check it out. There are actually a lot of people on there, and some of them have really good advice.

Until they start to push their workshops and books. Not to mention the "demi-gods" they created of themselves, it's actually a pretty clever idea if you think about it. I got to hand it to them it's just advertising and marketing disguised as a "teaching" place.

D A N wrote:

Until they start to push their workshops and books. Not to mention the "demi-gods" they created of themselves, it's actually a pretty clever idea if you think about it. I got to hand it to them it's just advertising and marketing disguised as a "teaching" place.

It's a group, instead of a page so the set up is a bit different. Any member can post on the wall at any time, but they have rules against any sort of advertising/promotions/workshops from them. Now whether or not the admins pull it is another story. So far it just seems like a place for retouchers to congregate and share advice/pictures but I've only been on there a day, so we'll see.

Have to say, though, some of them (and by some I mean most) love Frequency Separation.

Greg Knoll wrote:
Any member can post on the wall at any time, but they have rules against any sort of advertising/promotions/workshops from them. Now whether or not the admins pull it is another story. So far it just seems like a place for retouchers to congregate and share advice/pictures but I've only been on there a day, so we'll see.

I sure don't want to raise any controversy. Controversy is good for them. The last thing I want to do is encourage or create intrigue so that more people would go there.

Greg Knoll wrote:
Have to say, though, some of them (and by some I mean most) love Frequency Separation.

They ALL do, not one doesn't use/promote/reference any stuff that doesn't include that quick trick.

I wish there was a place where we could hangout and talk about business practices, marketing, dealing with clients, real mentoring in those areas.

Greg Knoll wrote:
I wish there was a place where we could hangout and talk about business practices, marketing, dealing with clients, real mentoring in those areas.

So very few are interested in this extremely important topics that it rarely discussed on public forums and on FB. I prefer to talk about it in closer circle with people who do creative stuff for a living and not as a hobby and actually want to be paid good money for their work. Those guys understand importance of all those subjects you mentioned.

Most guys only want to learn techniques. Mostly FS and this approach won't take them far in their careers.

D A N wrote:
I wish there was a place where we could hangout and talk about business practices, marketing, dealing with clients, real mentoring in those areas.

That's exactly what I was talking with my business partner last week. A place like this doesn't exist hence my original posting question just to prove if I was wrong but unfortunately I was right.

Anyone else have seen a site that offers real mentoring, business practices, marketing, dealing with clients, in our industry ?

If not, we may set one up.

Greg Knoll wrote:

It's a group, instead of a page so the set up is a bit different. Any member can post on the wall at any time, but they have rules against any sort of advertising/promotions/workshops from them. Now whether or not the admins pull it is another story. So far it just seems like a place for retouchers to congregate and share advice/pictures but I've only been on there a day, so we'll see.

Have to say, though, some of them (and by some I mean most) love Frequency Separation.

Everything is praise and polite to keep the members posting and happy.
No constructive critique.

Post a link to a picture in your port, it will get erased if you're actually good.

Many ACTUAL working professionals were in the group and got their posts erased, the explanation: It's my group I decide what rules to apply.

I dislike dishonest people.

Natalia_Taffarel wrote:
Post a link to a picture in your port, it will get erased if you're actually good.

Many ACTUAL working professionals were in the group and got their posts erased, the explanation: It's my group I decide what rules to apply.

I dislike dishonest people.

It seems like is one way only conversation. 

Natalia_Taffarel wrote:
Everything is praise and polite to keep the members posting and happy.
No constructive critique.

Post a link to a picture in your port, it will get erased if you're actually good.

Many ACTUAL working professionals were in the group and got their posts erased, the explanation: It's my group I decide what rules to apply.

I dislike dishonest people.

To add insult to injury, the admins also engage in mocking of people that cannot defend themselves, it's really not the nice place they claim it is at all. It got way over their hands... and heads.

Freelance Retoucher wrote:
Anyone else have seen a site that offers real mentoring, business practices, marketing, dealing with clients, in our industry ?

If not, we may set one up.

I'm all for setting one up! I know everybody needs to make money and can't just live on giving away their knowledge for free but it'd be refreshing to find a place where they're not constantly selling you stuff and it's just to hang out. Diego, I read on your interview that you're planning on setting up a blog, that would be really cool! I kinda don't want to see another FB group but I guess that's the direction that social interactions are heading.

D A N wrote:
I'm all for setting one up! I know everybody needs to make money and can't just live on giving away their knowledge for free but it'd be refreshing to find a place where they're not constantly selling you stuff and it's just to hang out. Diego, I read on your interview that you're planning on setting up a blog, that would be really cool! I kinda don't want to see another FB group but I guess that's the direction that social interactions are heading.

Yes, I think this is what we retouchers need. You can see it in any other industry, call it photography, graphic and web designers, etc. Where other professionals are happy to share and give back to their community.
I'm thinking blogging, podcasting, social media interaction, portfolio reviews,marketing tips, business advise, where we all can learn from each other and
hopefully create a great community for retouchers.

As you mentioned Dan, We all have to make a living somehow and I know for sure if we provide value to people, we'll get back much more than if we keep our "secrets" to ourself.

Would be great to hear more voices on this discussion.
What others think if it's doable to set a community hub in the retouching industry ?

Natalia_Taffarel wrote:

Would you like some fries with that spam?

I was just answering a question, I'm sorry if you thought it was spam... next time I will refrain myself from posting here. In the end all the ansewrs that aren't vague are spam, in this case.

Natalia_Taffarel wrote:
Everything is praise and polite to keep the members posting and happy.
No constructive critique.

Whew. I thought I was going crazy for a minute there. I've never seen a place with so many overcooked, botched, blurred images and the only responses were things like "great job" or "keep up the good work".

And, as I mentioned before, a lot of people are way too reliant on the quick fixes.

It's sad, because it's a great idea but I am slowly getting the impression it's not being handled the best way.

D A N wrote:

Until they start to push their workshops and books. Not to mention the "demi-gods" they created of themselves, it's actually a pretty clever idea if you think about it. I got to hand it to them it's just advertising and marketing disguised as a "teaching" place.

hahaha, so true, and some of those demi-gods are not so good after all if you check their work , i got my comments erased when i gave them my feedback,haha.

GHWatson wrote:
Hooters

No it's the Starbucks inside of Hooters

Robert Lang  wrote:
I'd be up for getting involved, as I've just moved to London it would be useful to have a local meet up and then possibly continue any discussions online in some form

Same here. I'll be moving to London in September and would enjoy real face to face retouching meetup group discussions and learning. As far as online, MM is my preferred site for retouching info thanks to the kind, talented and knowledgeable people on here .

Robert Lang  wrote:
On the topic, for anyone who is in or near to London there is a Train To Create retouching event this weekend and they are hosting a free 'meet-up' on Saturday which may be worth a visit.
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/train-to- … 3118650804

It should be cool, loads of people are signing up, we are a bit afraid we won't fit in the hotel

I met the guys from met-a-porter yesterday, we had a great time.

London is cool, it's a shame about the weather tho

DevKevin wrote:
Starbucks

TRUTH.

Nikki_Rotunda wrote:
I would not go here for critiques at all, but I get a lot of my business related questions answered on retouchpro. What do you guys think of their forums?

Also, I know it's not strictly for retouchers, but freelancersunion.org has proven to have some very useful articles about the business side of freelancing. And not boring stuff!

I love freelancersunion.org really helpful for design/retouching business related questions.

D A N wrote:
I'm all for setting one up! I know everybody needs to make money and can't just live on giving away their knowledge for free but it'd be refreshing to find a place where they're not constantly selling you stuff and it's just to hang out. Diego, I read on your interview that you're planning on setting up a blog, that would be really cool! I kinda don't want to see another FB group but I guess that's the direction that social interactions are heading.

Beyond MM this has been the one thing i've always wanted to see the most. i'v been retouching for years and searching but it's never really been a thing outside of small skype groups and Facebook groups that do nothing but bark at each other.

It's difficult because everyone is so secretive with their " process" So everyone's so reluctant to get along. I for one would support a nice little site for Retouchers to just chat it up about any and everything. From how to get noticed and the do's and don't of just starting. Without saying " Oh you want to know what i know, how much money is in your bank account first" lol.

Freelance Retoucher wrote:
Would be great to hear more voices on this discussion.
What others think if it's doable to set a community hub in the retouching industry ?

As i said above this would just be a brilliant idea. I for one need/wish i had more Retouching friends to talk to vent to and bounce ideas off of, sadly i only have one and she's rather intimidating.