Much has been discussed on the subject of retouching.

Specifically, how much is “enough” and how much is “too much”?

This isn’t a simple question to answer. Many attempts to provide easy answers often fail. Why? Because as in everything regarding headshots, every actor is completely different. In other words, the “correct” amount of retouching varies according to every actor’s individual needs.

Here is a sample of a senior actor I photographed last month. Her headshot has been retouched. But any casting director would be hard pressed to notice, because it’s both natural and appropriate for her age.



My second example is another recent client, shot last week. He’s never had headshots taken before. But he made it very clear that he wanted to look as “real” as possible and requested that I perform no retouching at all to his headshots, not even to a single hair. I even left in his recently injured wrist, the Ace bandage still clearly visible. He wanted ‘completely real,’ and he got completely real.



My final example is that of a young child, reprinted from one of my previous posts:

“Additionally, there seems to be some controversy over what is considered "too much" retouching for a headshot. To provide as much accurate and balanced information as I can on the subject, I have also attached a current example of what is considered "proper retouching" by mothers submitting their daughters to the most important beauty pageants in the country, below. The retouching was done by the person regarded as the premier retoucher on the professional beauty pageant circuit (who's name I have omitted). He is also the most highly sought after adult pageant retoucher in the business, having done the retouching for my recent client, a contestant of the recent Miss Universe pageant, competing as Miss New York. I would never personally use or recommend his services, this is for purposes of comparison only.”



This cute little girl looks as phony and plastic as a Barbi doll. As you can plainly see, this is “too much” retouching-- certainly for an actor. But in her world, this is considered ideal for her needs, even necessary.

There you have it. Three entirely different individuals and three entirely different approaches to retouching.


www.robertkim.com

pardon me for asking, but this guy is HOT. What is his name??
I have some nursing background, perhaps I could assist in healing him...
Nicole B.

Would that be “sexual healing,”perchance?

You know I can’t give out his name, MQ. I’m running a photo studio, not a matchmaking service.

But who knows, that could be a lucrative business.

www.robertkim.com

Your second photo, Robert, goes to show us how little retouching actually needs to be done when you are working with a capable photographer. (I can't find much you actually would retouch in that photo besides some straggling eyebrow hairs, and more power to the actor for not wanting retouching).
and as for the third example--wait, hold up, I am NOT supposed to look like an Animatron-doll when I show up to an audition? hahaha, jk.

Aha, he is attractive, and he doesn't really need to be touch-up (at least in that picture) but I wonder if he would say the same thing ten years from now.

Robert Kim, should open an escort business in Vegas. I bet that would be a profitable business, especially when you can pick any man/woman and make them look like a million dollars on the picture.

I know this is another topic, but having a capable hair stylist and makeup artist during a photo shoot can also alleviate any need for retouching a lot of times.

No doubt.

Good makeup and hair is essential.

But there are many things that can go wrong in a headshot session, even in the most carefully planned ones. That's why proper retouching skills are just as essential.

But even the best retouching can't fix everything. It can't turn a bad picture into a good one, anymore than using an expensive camera can turn you into a good photographer.

I think a great headshot session is like a great acting performance. It takes years of training, practice, and most of all, passion.

www.robertkim.com

Man... even her headband looked too real for that guy.

Wow talk about Little Miss Perfect. The girl is so adorable and I find it had to believe that somebody wants THAT MUCH retouching.

Damn, I have to throw out all my headshots now. Thanks, Robert.

As some might know, I am in the process of getting new headshots. out of all the shots, we got 11 that I liked and I have narrowed then down to 4 or 5 (I still have another session, so my choices are not final and will not post them until they are!). THere are two in particular that I love, expression wise and would love to keep. The problem? For some effed up reason, my skin looks like crap and there seem to be dark circles under my eyes.... This is a problem because I actually have pretty nice skin and no dark circles. Do you think this could be fixed with retouching or should I just try to get the same idea on a new shoot?

quote:

Originally posted by miss stone:
Damn, I have to throw out all my headshots now. Thanks, Robert.

This was a joke all, by the way!!!


As much as I love that fake Barbie doll look...

quote:

Originally posted by barbarab:
As some might know, I am in the process of getting new headshots. out of all the shots, we got 11 that I liked and I have narrowed then down to 4 or 5 (I still have another session, so my choices are not final and will not post them until they are!). THere are two in particular that I love, expression wise and would love to keep. The problem? For some effed up reason, my skin looks like crap and there seem to be dark circles under my eyes.... This is a problem because I actually have pretty nice skin and no dark circles. Do you think this could be fixed with retouching or should I just try to get the same idea on a new shoot?

I know you don't want to show them without retouching, but I need to see them first before I can recommend what to do at this point.

If you can post them here, it could help many others with the same problem.

!Muchisimos gracias para tu cooperacion!

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

ok, so I will post one to set an example
after looking at it for like 4 hours I am starting to dislike it anyway...

oh, and I am trying to go for a more playful "I know something you don't" vibe which I think is a great improvement from the "I'm a bitch don't you even dare look at me" vibe I had going before....
we'll see how tomorrow goes!