Retouching Feedback

As an artist it's important to get feedback from your work before it's shared to the public. As a photographer this means getting feedback on your retouched images.

I don't mean the usual CC (constructive criticism) requests you see in photography forums. The problem with this request is the image is already complete. It is open for public viewing. On one hand the CCs tend to become just random out of context suggestions or stylistic criticisms. On the other hand the photographer maybe really just looking for a pat in the back.

(c) Mark Serrano

Image preview on Google Nexus, Macbook 2013, and iPhone 6 Plus

If you want to make an actionable improvement, request the feedback while you're on your post-processing stages. The simple reason is you still have control to change the final look of the image without ruining the surprise to your audience. 

This feedback process is no different when writing a thesis or a book. It undergoes numerous proofreading and revisions from editors and reviewers before it's shared to the public. So why should our photos be excluded in this process? They should not.

Here's a quote worth remembering:

"It takes two artists to paint something, one to paint and the other to hit the first artist" - Sue Bryce

Here's what you can do:

1. Ask a friend. 

• In most cases I ask my wife for feedback because she's a makeup artist, and I trust her critical eye
• Lately I'd been asking my makeup artists to tell me what part of the makeup needs to be fixed, so I can address them in the retouching process

(c) Mark Serrano

Google Nexus

2. Preview your images on multiple devices. 

• Uncalibrated devices render the colors on your photos differently. It helps to see what you're sharing to the world
• It helps you catch details you've might missed on your computer. Different screen sizes tend to show varying level of details that might not be apparent on some devices. 
• The smaller screens let me see better what I've missed in my dodge and burn process.
• The brighter screens help me see quickly how my photos look if blowned out.
• The uncalibrated screens help me see color variance that I missed on my calibrated screen. This is probably because my eyes have become accustomed to my calibrated screen.
• Juxtaposed screens help you see the big picture

(c) Mark Serrano

iPhone 6 Plus

3. Sleep on it. Take a break.

• The more time we spend our eyes on the screen, the more our eyes become accustom to the screen. This has a negative side effect of making you miss important details on your photos.
• Taking a break helps you combat this acclimatization
• Previewing your images on different screens also helps you fight this acclimatization

Here's the final image by the way:

(c) Mark Serrano
This is lit with a single beauty dish

Credits

Photography by Mark Serrano
Model: Octavia Chan | Factor Chosen Model Management Chicago
Makeup and hair by Ula Sz (Shades of Makeup by Ula)

Less is More Always

In the art world we are often told, "Sometimes doing less is more." It means we don't need overcomplicated setups to make a meaningful impact. But why are we told it works "sometimes"? Can't it work every time? Certainly we've seen great works of art with convoluted processes. "Less is more" is an oxymoron that works sometimes--most of the time.

(c) Mark Serrano

I've probably lost you there. Here's my main point: "less is more" works every time. It doesn't just work sometimes. It works every time. This is a key fundamental concept in producing great works of art. Doing less for more is a skill exhibited by people who know their craft. These are people who've burned the midnight oil numerous times.

For example, the photo on the right was shot with a single beauty dish with a foam core acting as fill. The retouch was simple heal and clone, dodge and burn. No color correction was even done. No frequency separation as well.

Here are some quotes that echo the same message:

• Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory - Coco Chanel
• If you want something to look interesting, don’t light all of it. - Joe McNally
• It takes two artists to paint something, one to paint and the other to hit the first artist - Sue Bryce
• The best makeup artists knows when to put the brush ... have one thing missing, and it'll be more beautiful! - Rae Morris
• I would also say that bad retouching is retouching that took longer or did more than it should for a particular intent. - Michael Woloszynowicz

Notice the similarity in the quotes. Reduction is a key concept in making great works of art.

How does this translate in practical terms? As a photographer and retoucher I have two tips that will help you:

1. When you plan a lighting setup, take a step back. Reduce the lights, the props, the people.
2. When you're applying a Photoshop effect, take a step back. Reduce the effect by 20%, by 30%, by 50%. 

As humans we tend to exaggerate on things because we think by magnifying things, it will be noticed more and it will be more convincing. But it's not. When you think your work is great, take a step back. You might be exaggerating things. Reduce and simplify your process.

Credits

Photography by Mark Serrano
Model: Angelika Rol
Makeup and hair by Vanessa Serrano (Makeup by Nessa)

Non-Agency Signed Models

It amazes me when people think that I only shoot agency-signed models. This is far from the truth. If you do your research and navigate around the people I work with, you will be able tell who are agency-signed and who are not.

This collage is a good example of photos I've taken within a year. The models portrayed in this collage are not agency signed models as far as I know WHEN I WORKED with them. Some of them were just starting out and trying to build a portfolio. 

The lesson is don't be afraid to ask your photographer. But don't also sour grape if you got rejected. We all get rejected at some point in our lives.

Note: My collage app only allows 20 photos so I picked the random 20 I can put on my set.

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