A few years ago German super model “Cindy Crawford sighed” wishing that she looked like as good in reality as her pictures made her look so perfect. Back then too, models were not ashamed to admit that their faces had been ‘photoshopped’ to perfection. Today the times have altered much more. Models who survive the cutthroat industry know that just being photogenic is not enough. It is not enough even to be in shape. Image retouch has become a global mantra for girls and boys entering the modeling industry. This photo treatment is showing the true colors of what digital software can do. A thing of beauty lasts forever and there is no harm in retouching a picture. Image retouch has become a part of everyday living also. Many consumers also want to show off their best facial features with this popular treatment. This technique has come a long way from its removing red eye days. It is now a major photo processing opportunity not only for advertising but also for personal reasons. But for models that depend on their faces and outward facade to get noticed image retouch is valuable.
Since photo processing is inevitable, the experts should do it only. They can match the content of the original and retouch with minimal changes to the real character. Covering minor imperfections can be done with a slew of techniques and tools. An established editor will prefer to leave a few blemishes rather than take out all. For example, a face densely covered with freckles or spots can be completed cleared of the blemish. But if the model is likely to be seen in other events the freckles cannot be removed in all pictures. So the perfect picture will look faked and will not attract compliments. Hence an editor has to practice restrain when he does image retouch. He will study the past portfolio and try to match the current one with it without making it look like it has been ‘made up’. This is just one of the endearing qualities of an established professional. The same holds good for retouching fine lines, wrinkles and acne on the face.
Image retouch involves simple air brushing, removal of red eye, doing virtual make-up, enhancing the face structure, smoothing the skin, giving an illusion of lip gloss, use of lip paint. Advanced techniques also include nip tuck, body restructuring to make it look slimmer, ironing out wrinkles, non-destructive dodge and burning. Even hair masking can be done to improve the retouching. With the use of Photoshop, 3D effects and also super after effects a lot of editing can be achieved. A client might ask for the ultimate and unforgettable picture portfolio, but then the editor needs to be real about the image retouch. When he is able to maintain equilibrium, he can be successful. This technique can be mastered with practice. When an editor gets a job to enhance the beauty, he is pushing beauty beyond the real. Actors, musicians’ normal people, dancers, newsreaders, and anchor persons do image retouch. It is the new face of the glamor in the advertising industry.
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