What exactly is the difference between editing and retouching? You have probably heard both terms – however, did you know they are not the same thing? Editing and retouching is a process to enhance photos but there is a significant difference between the two. More importantly, not all photographers offer both. In fact, some photographers might advertise retouching but themselves do not know the difference. In this article I’m going to go over the differences between photo retouching and editing, provide examples, and provide you with some helpful questions you can ask to better understand your photographer’s post session processing system and rates.

Editing

Editing is a broad range of adjustments made to images to improve the overall appearance. This process can include:

• Cropping & Straightening: Changing the dimensions or aspect ratio of the image and straightening to correct tilts or angles.
• Adjusting Exposure: Modifying the brightness, contrast, shadows, and highlights.
• Color Correction: Tweaking white balance, saturation, and color tones to achieve a natural or desired look.
• Sharpening: Enhancing the clarity and detail of the image.

Editing is something that the vast majority of photographers offer as part of their service – if not all professional photographers. Below is a photo that un-edited (right) vs the same photo with basic edits (left).

Retouching

Retouching is a more detailed and precise process. It focuses on refining specific elements of the image. Common aspects of retouching includes but is not limited to:

• Skin Smoothing: Removing blemishes, wrinkles, and imperfections on the skin.
• Enhancing Features: Adjusting the appearance of eyes, lips, teeth, hair, etc to look more polished.
• Removing Unwanted Elements: Eliminating distracting objects or imperfections from the background or foreground.
• Extending or Filling in Backdrops: Expanding or completing the background of an image to enhance its composition
• Dodging and Burning: Enhancing or reducing light in specific areas to add depth and dimension.
• Detail Enhancement: Improving the texture and fine details of certain elements in the image.
• Composite Work: Combining multiple images or elements to create a single cohesive image.

Retouching is something that a lot of professional photographers offer, but not all. Some photographers only retouch as an add-on service, only for photos printed, or don’t offer it at all.

Editing and retouching in newborn photography

Not every session will need both editing and retouching done to the images and there is always a time where personal preferences will play a big part. When you look for a professional studio newborn session like what I offer here at Goldie Lynn Imagery I recommend you find someone who offers both and here’s 3 specific examples of why.

PS – If you’re looking for a newborn photographer click here to read my guide to finding a newborn photographer near you.

• Some newborn poses have to be done as a composite image for safety reasons. Specifically the pose below – called “froggy” in the newborn photography world. This pose must be done with hands on the baby at all times. It is not safe to attempt to leave a baby to hold this pose without assistance.

• It’s not uncommon for newborns to have flakey skin, baby acne, red, orange, uneven, or spotty coloring, etc.

• Fabric backdrops are commonly used in newborn photography. When the baby is placed on the backdrop it can occasionally cause wrinkles, and sometimes the angle that the baby is being photographed at will go beyond the backdrop and require filling in / expanding the backdrop.

Editing and retouching in outdoor sessions

If you’re not planning a studio or newborn session you might wonder is it important to have a photographer who can both edit and retouch photos? While the answer still boils down to personal preference, there are some points where you might want to consider before booking. Below are 3 specific scenarios where retouching ability might be desired.

• Composites aren’t only for newborn photos. If you’re photographing more than one subject the chances of you getting everyone’s best smile all at once isn’t always 100%. Occasionally there will be moments where you may want to take someone’s face from one photo and replace it to make a “perfect photo.” In the example below, this couple wanted to replace one of their dog’s faces.

• Usually the prettiest locations have some sort of eye sore nearby. When you have a photographer who can retouch you can still photograph in front of beautiful spots and know that it can be cleaned up and the distractions removed.

• When outside there is potential for wind blown hair and annoying flyaways. Summer months are also notorious for annoying tan lines, especially watch tan lines.

Questions to ask

The level of editing and retouching offered will vary from photographer to photographer, so it is good to ask your photographer about their post session processing.

First you need to know what you’re wanting from your session. How much retouching or editing are you wanting done to your photos? Depending on the session you might want a higher level of retouching done or no retouching and only edits done to your photos. Knowing the difference between the two and what your end goals for your photos are is best to know before you start looking for a photographer and start asking about their process.

Some good questions to ask include:

• What  level of retouching do you offer, or do you offer retouching? If yes, what are some examples of common retouching you do on XYZ sessions?
• If you offer retouching does it come with the price quoted or is it an additional cost? Or is there different level of retouching thats free vs paid? If so, whats included and what cost?
• Do you retouch every image or only certain ones? If only certain ones, what’s the criteria for photos that are retouched and photos that aren’t?

Conclusion

My process includes not only edits for your images but the full retouching process as well. I take pride knowing I deliver the very best quality that I can for my families. The attention to details and retouching effort is what sets apart a good photo from a great photo. I use adobe Lightroom for my basic editing and then take those edited photos to Photoshop to retouch and finalize photos.

If you’re looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer I would love to chat details with you. Click here to get in touch through my contact form.

Want a little more information on a session with me? Click on the links below to get more information

Newborn sessions

Maternity sessions

Family & children sessions