Photoshoots are always exciting. Whether you’re trooping it out for an event or setting up for a new line of products, the excitement is always electric. However, when the shoot closes shop is when the real work begins. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro when it comes to photography, many photographers agree that its easy to get overwhelmed by the prospect of editing. After taking hundreds of photos that you carefully framed and prepped for, the inevitable task of touching up the final set you’ll send to the client is one that even seasoned pros dread. Wherever you might be in your photography journey, read on and discover the Dos and Donts of Perfect Photos.
DO shoot in RAW
Shooting in RAW guarantees more information will be kept intact, making it easier to manipulate your photos when editing later on. While it adds an extra step to the editing process, it saves you a lot of grief from trying to salvage crunchy photos or damaged files. Don’t risk the trouble and shoot in RAW to maintain your file integrity.
DO Collect and Select
Shootdays only happen once, especially for event photographers. Bring extra memory cards with you and make the most of your window. Style and shoot as many shots as you want, in multiple iterations and angles. However, make sure to curate the final set of photos that you will be editing. Check for even the slightest imperfections—like a hair out of place, blurring, or wonky angles, and cut it from the group. Not only do you serve your client only your best works; you also cut the amount of work you need for the final set.
DO Apply Any & All Corrections
Once you have curated the final set, review each one for necessary corrections and apply them. Do you see the telltale dots of green and purple? Apply lens correction, especially if you shot with a wide angle lens. Is a photo slightly askew? Straighten your horizon the minute you pick up on the tilt. Are the colors off, or dull? Apply the necessary color corrections, and fiddle with your exposure and brightness to get the right mix. Remember that when these shots go out the door and to your client, you want as few revisions as possible.
DON’T insist on including an entire shot
Crop shots if necessary. You might find that a good crop will frame your subject better than the raw photo ever could. Highlight your subject’s best features and create a focal point within your photo. Remember that sometimes, less is more.
DON’T export until you’re sure
Before you hit Export, remember to go over your photos one more time. Triplecheck your histogram, especially if you know that your photos will be reproduced in print, as blown out or faded colors may register as being void of any data. Turn up sharpness if you notice that a few pixels are still looking a little fuzzy when zoomed in, and doublecheck any client requirements, especially if they will be uploading it to a specific platform or printing to a particular size.
Though these may be basic steps, it would do well to remember them before submitting any final cut to your client. If you still see yourself as the artist behind the camera and not really an editing sort, reach out to a professional photo retouching service for fuss-free processing while you get to focus on what you love most.
