As photographers we have to communicate with our clients exactly what should be expected.

Clear expectations and communication are key for everyone to be satisfied! 

I mean that makes sense right..? Just like in life :) Communication is key! 

The terms “editing” and “retouching”

are often used interchangeably in the photography world.. 

Some people consider editing one thing and retouching a whole different technique. 

While others use the two words to mean the same thing.

So in this post I will explain and give visual examples of what I consider editing vs. retouching 

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EDITING:

In my business, I edit virtually every image I take during a session. 

Edits can be quick little adjustments to color, exposure, highlights and shadows;

but can also include more time consuming things like cropping and centering subjects. 

Edited Image- Cropped, Color and Contrast Corrected 

Edited Image- Cropped, Color and Contrast Corrected

Original Image-

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Before any of this happens, photographers generally cull their image sets.

Culling is a process meaning to go through a collection of images & select those that are best. 

For example: 

The whole family is beautiful and looking directly at the camera, all except mom who is moving and still posing herself.. Cull that image out, because chances are there is an equally beautiful image with everyone looking directly at the camera.

That’s culling!

Culled Set of Images- 

Left image was culled Right image was left for editing

Once a collection of images has been culled, small edits begin to happen.

When the edits have been finished, the collection is then shared with the client.

The edited gallery is then culled again by the client, by them picking their favorite images.

Their favorite images will then be retouched.

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Fun fact: 

My last name is Culler. I have been told that the context of the surname is that historically our family would be responsible for culling stock for desired or undesired characteristics.

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RETOUCHING: 

In my workflow, retouching means smoothing of the skin and hair, whitening of teeth and eyes, minor to extensive fixes to clothes or folds and even removing objects from the image. 

As you can imagine, the retouching is a bit more extensive and time consuming. 

But so worth it to have a professional finished look! 

Retouched Image- whitened teeth and eyes, smoothed hair and skin

Original Image-

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Fun Fact:

I once photographed an entire family portrait with one son who was not able to make it.

I photographed that son an entirely different day, and I was able to do some retouching magic, by adding him to the entire family portrait.  

Remember this family- 

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In the end, each photographer has their own way of determining what they do and don’t do to your images. But now that you have a bit of knowledge as to what they might mean, hopefully you get everything you want from your portrait session.

If you want to chat with me about booking a portrait session, send me a message let’s talk! I would love to get you in front of the camera and show you all the magic we can make happen, culling, editing and retouching included ;)