What is Retouching?

Retouching is a form of polishing an image for final presentation that may require additional transforming or altering of a photograph using various skills and technique. It may also include the removal of stray hairs, dust, scratches, and blemishes or other cosmetic imperfections that could detract from an otherwise beautiful image. It is sometimes referred to as airbrushing and was used heavily in older fashion photography where models were made to look perfect by smoothing out the skin.

Currently, retouching is most often done digitally and can be performed with many different tools available in photo editing software. This includes blurring brushes, color replacement tools, clone stamps and more. Depending on the retouching required, other enhancements such as adjusting color, brightness or contrast and sharpening can be included in the process as well.

For example, eye retouching would include removing under-eye circles and changing the shape or color of the eyes. This adjustment can have a large impact on the perceived attractiveness of an image since the eyes are typically considered to be the windows to the soul.

The ability to retouch and enhance photos is increasingly important in the digital age where images can be shared online instantly and easily and can have a significant influence on the perception of an individual or business. Crisp vibrant images with great color correction are more likely to catch the eye of a potential buyer on social media or keep them surfing your website and ultimately convert.