When
photos come for retouching, it makes sense for the editor only to
retouch some areas and not the entire frame, as that would be a
manipulation. It is best to fine-tune the spotlight for delicate photo
retouching. This calls for adjustments.
A
client may ask for special effects to the photos. But do all the photos
require special effects. An editor will prefer to address a few
sections of the photo frame rather than disturb the overall setting and
herein lies his skills and previous experience doing such jobs. Photo retouching
can be a simple task or a complex one depending on the brief, needs of
the visuals and amount of effect it needs to communicate a message. Even
a new effect that is added should be able to blend in the frame rather
than stand out. This is the key to adjusting or fine-tuning the spotlight for any delicate photo retouching. Some of the best methods
involve creating simple layers that will be able to float on the areas
that need to be adjusted. To select the areas for effects clipping path
is traced around the object/s. The need for tracing is important as it
will create the sharp edges and make it look uniform with the design. A
contrast can be created and a shadow added to make it look natural.
An
editor starts the work by working on the mid-tones of the area under
edit. He will enhance the contrast. The software program being used will
have all the tools to execute these details. An advanced
infrastructure and software program will allow the blending of the
special created layers inside with the original objects. The blending
will occur on the entire frame in the same manner. The layers provide
the transparency to ensure that the picture elements eventually blend
with the retouching.
The color is not lost when specific areas are fine-tuned. The software
program has gradient levels that can be adjusted according to the new
color tones that have been created by the addition of layers. This job
can be tricky if there are varied levels of colors.
For example a sunrise picture that has been clicked at the break of dawn has vibrant colors. Adding delicate layers
is a complex job as the spotlight features on maintaining the tones of
the original. In such a case it is best to make a modification to the
entire background rather than focusing the spotlight on the selected
objects. It will be better to do a photo retouch to the entire frame in
such a case. How can this be done? Simply create warm tonal quality with
the color correction. Because, at dawn the colors are warm and yet to
become rich and piercing like the yellowness of the sun as it rises.
Here the color choice can be orange as it complements the rising sun.
The gradient adjustments can be done with the eyedropper tool. If the
sunrise is reflecting the water and a droplet is the key object then do
not add one single layer. It will bend the light (remember the prism
theory?) While gradients can be used for overall tonal modification, a
single spotlight will feature in the case of delicate photo retouching
with layers. It is a very versatile process designed to help editors to
explore their own niche in photo editing.