PhotoEdit Tips

Also see: http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Digital_Imaging/

Issue: Manipulation

Examples of acceptable manipulation.

Basic Retouching. Eyes whitened, tidied eyebrows, cleared acne, darkened lashes, enhanced skin tone, removed hollows under eyes, and reduced pores. BUT still retained highlights and skin texture so that the subject does not look faked.
Painting This technique takes a while to learn and requires a steady hand. It is useful when subjects have larger pores or heavy freckles. Rebuilding dodgy lip-lines isn’t necessary but we wanted to show what can be done. Make-up by PhotoShop.
Enhancement Touch-ups to give your images a new look or fix are fine but you must know your tools!
Layers This image was ordered by a client but they had worries about getting the bared midriff passed their editor. Viola!
Security Measures
Do.	Don’t.
The DO card has had the name, dates, and account number changed to protect the owner. It takes some skill but can be done.

Unacceptable instances of PhotoShop manipulation.

Adding objects to image to fit specs	Common stamping mistakes Original image
Overuse of Diffuse Glow	Hard stamping – notice the circular patterns
Unsuccessful logo removal	Leaving remnants of the persons reflection and shadow
Cut and paste	Over-sharpening

Issue: Over-cropping.

Now the crop is blown up to meet sizing standards

(here, the min. 6x9) and it shows an obvious loss of quality.

Issue: Fringing.

Issue pointed out to us by the client who wanted to crop closer to the presenting lawyer:

Issue: Plug-ins

Ninja Plug-in: Stippling effect Gem Plug-in: Water-color effect

Other Digital Aberrations and things to avoid

Under-saturation Over-saturation

-à

Colored Pixels

-à

Blooming

Loss of detail and addition of unreal coloring.

Hard shadows make portraits look like they were taken with a box camera.

Please don’t submit several of the same images with different filters. No images with colored filters are accepted.

Publishers may add them later if they purchase the original. But do not want them up front.

Issue: Why you MUST view your images at 100%

The eye can be fooled while viewing a thumbnail or default 16.7% to 25% preview of an image.

Images must be viewed at 100% in order to clearly view any digital anomalies or focus issues.

Our clients’ imaging departments all view and assess hi-res at 100%

EVEN IF THEY’RE FILLING A SPOT OR QUARTER PAGE.

At 25%, lines look tighter, contrast looks better, and focus seems fine, however…

25%

60%

Even at 60%, the picture on the left is beginning to show a lack of focus while the picture on the right retains its focus, texture, etc.

100%

100%

25%

50%

75%

100%