Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I have just had these photos returned to me and I'm not so happy with the retouches that have been completed. Do you not think the guy in the background should have been removed? and the lamp post?Please provide your feedback and thank you.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cseida/4228645804/" title="stand background 2 by cseida, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2656/4228645804_f50a66a897.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="stand background 2"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cseida/4227877073/" title="kiss by cseida, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/4227877073_6bdc865e40.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="kiss"></a>

Did you ask the retoucher to remove them? If yes then they should be removed, if no then they shouldn't be removed.

I have asked him to remove them. I just thought I shouldnt have to ask for things like this. But that is my opinion. I love the photo, just felt that those things should be removed without asking? maybe I'm wrong.. I thought thats what retouching was?

Not really, retouchers for the most part do what they are instructed to do. Having said that, he/she should've asked you whether you wanted those elements removed or not, as they are indeed distracting.

I retouch photos for others and if I weren't asked I wouldn't remove anything, after all my vision of great photo may be completely different than yours, and what may be an eye sore for one person may be important element for another. Basically I always ask: what exactly do you want me to do, and charges depend on that, removing object is usually more expensive because depending on the complexity it adds time spend on the photo.

On a somewhat related note, the photographer should have noticed things in the background first and composed differently. More attention paid to the details in the photos means less post work.

Thank you all for your feedback.

the building with crains on it is more of an eye sore than the kid in the back ground.

I think for your next wedding (hope not) hire DmitryM instead of this guy

I have to agree with vkhamphi...the photographer should have been aware of the background scene and adjust the composition accordingly...

I agree with above. The photographer obviously has some skills but it is sloppy to leave these the way they are. But it depends on what you paid as well. If I paid $500 I would be very happy with the pictures. If I paid $4000 then I would expect better. In any case, it would take 5-10 minutes to remove the distracting items.

Wait a second, did the OP take these pictures and then send them off to a retoucher? If that is the case you should be telling the retoucher exactly what you are expecting in terms of retouching.

I felt that as well that the photographer should have been aware of the background scene and adjust the composition accodingly.

As for what I paid it was very close to B.... and for that price expected alot more.

Thanks and there will be no second wedding so I have to live with these ones, lol.... He took some great shots for the engagment but the wedding he let us down I felt.... anyways thank you all so much for the feedback its a great help.

I'm still learning but #1 is seriously flawed. Mismatched skin tones on the hands comparing it to the face and arm. The horizon is tilting. See the left and right buildings. The PP is just not acceptable.

#2 The "dutch" angle is odd but the shot works for me.

You have a valid point and the cloning or heals should be an easy fix.

Grats on getting hitched btw, all the best.


Randy