5 uses for photo retouching (beyond the obvious)

When most people think of photo retouching then first things which come to mind are fashion photography and blue sky filters. But there are more technical and practical uses you may not be aware of.

• Removing irrelevant or messy details in an image - which can then simplify and so reduce the cost of further processing, such as creating clipping paths or masks.

• Dust removal on product photography. Sometimes it’s not possible to remove dust and blemishes prior to photography; sometimes you just miss something which spoils an otherwise great product shoot. A little focussed retouching can make these images sing again.

• Enhancing or correcting problems in photos you’ll never be able to take again.

• Filling in missing pieces of studio photography. The classic case is shirt necks behind a dummy (so-called ghost mannequin effect), but often products need supports to keep them stable and open, and the supports end up in front of the subject matter. Removal is normally quick and undetectable.

• Removing the photographer. Sometimes, no matter what you do, products and scenes contain awkward/out of place reflections. If you need to make the photographer in the mirror disappear, we can do that.