portraits

Why Portrait Backgrounds Need Retouching

Portrait backgrounds often require retouching to remove distractions and enhance the overall professionalism of the image.

The white bust sculpture is a huge distraction because it’s a bright white object in an otherwise dark background. It’s also in the direct eye line of the person in the photo. We can’t help but look at it.

A photographer should remove any distractions and fix background imperfections before taking the photo. But these details are sometimes overlooked or they’re difficult to control in the moment. That’s when retouching becomes essential.

A distraction-free background keeps the focus on the person in the photo.

Better Background, Better Story

Sometimes the background is just the background. It’s unnoticeable, it’s quiet. But you can make the background an important part of the image. It can say something about your business or brand.

This business headshot might have been shot in a studio or against an office wall. Either way, the new background tells a better story.

In studio settings, portraits are typically taken against a plain background. This makes it relatively easy to replace or enhance in post-production. This flexibility allows the final image to match the intended tone or brand of the person or business.

The plain background of this studio business portrait was replaced with a design that enhances both the image and the person’s brand.

Choose Backgrounds Thoughtfully

If your company has an attractive office space, you can use it as a natural and authentic background. But if your workspace lacks visual appeal or doesn’t reflect the image you want to project, a virtual background can be digitally added.

A plain workspace can be replaced to reflect the image you want to project.

But choose virtual backgrounds thoughtfully. For example, using a high-end corporate office background while working from home could be misleading. In such cases, a more neutral or stylized background might be more appropriate. Stylized backgrounds can add personality or a creative touch, especially if it aligns with your brand. You can even design your own background.

A graphic design or other stylized background may be a better fit for your business.

Retouching goes beyond aesthetics. It helps you present a polished image that genuinely represents your business and personal brand.

 

Retouching Acne and Skin Blemishes

Skin retouching focuses on enhancing your natural features while keeping your appearance authentic. Temporary blemishes like acne are removed, but permanent features such as freckles and moles are usually left untouched, since they’re part of what makes you you.
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Retouching Headshots

Retouching a business headshot or other type of portrait is often about enhancing a person’s appearance—making the eyes stand out, brightening the teeth, evening out skin tones, and cleaning up stray hairs.

But in most of my work, I’m fixing the photographer’s mistakes. When a photographer makes an error or omission, it’s usually the customer who pays the price—either by shelling out more money for retouching or settling for a subpar photo of themselves.

Ignoring Small Details

Photographing someone straight on is rarely a good idea. It tends to make the subject look wide and boxy. Retouching can’t fix a poor pose. In the above photo, a simple turn of the body toward the light source would’ve created a more flattering pose. It would also have softened the shadows on the right side of the face and jacket, and brightened both eyes.
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Smoothing Out The Wrinkles

An example of basic headshot retouching. Retouching doesn’t change a person’s appearance but rather it fixes technical issues and shows the person at their best.

Customers sometimes request that all facial wrinkles and lines be removed from their portraits. I smile when I get these retouching requests because I know the outcome: when the customer sees the retouched image, they’ll say it appears unnatural, with their face looking like plastic.
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