chapin in utah Loc: Utah

Hi everyone, it's been some time since I posted something here, but this time I really could use some advise about this situation:

My wife and I had an argument about this topic :)

As I got me better lighting equipment, new lenses and camera, I have been asked by friends and co-workers if I could take their pictures, and they are paying me for them.
Since they are paying me, I want to give them a good product, and I think I should be asking questions about what they want, specially women; like "do you want less wrinkles?" or "Should I whiting your teeth?"

I even sent some samples to a co-worker with two pictures, before and after to see which one she would like the most. She is read hair, and her teeth were a little yellow with several wrinkles on her face, so I highlighted her hear, made her teeth white, and softened her face a little.
She came back to me telling me she liked the white teeth, and loved the red hair, but wanted me to keep her wrinkles.

When I told my wife she told me it was rude to ask a woman if she wants whiter teeth, or better looking face; that I should to the magic, and let them discover it by themselves, to which I told her since they are paying me, I have to give my best to satisfy them with their pictures, therefore I must ask questions, and they can decide if they want everybody else to know what I did with the processing.

I feel if I don't ask, I am loosing a chance to know what they really want. Especially since I plan to make this business bigger in the near future.

What are you guys feeling about this?
Thanks!!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Couple of things...

When shooting an individual landscape is not a good composition, especially when presented as such.

When Post processing an image it is not up to you to 'ask' but for the client to 'demand'.

All edits must be subtle and not take away from the person, especially wrinkles. You can tone them down but not take them away. White teeth? Often overdone as are the white of eyes.

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One more issue, do post this in the 'for your consideration section'. Ask the admin to move it. You can also request a transfer to the 'portraiture section'.


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chapin in utah Loc: Utah

Thank you!

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I have to go with your wife on this. Asking them these questions is tantamount to pointing out their “flaws”. No woman (I know) wants to be told: “You have yellow teeth”. “You have wrinkles”. Etc. Chances are, they know this.

I would make small changes &a skill them what they think.

FWIW, Some of the presets used in portrait photography go way too far. Some change eye color, fix noses, adjust jar lines, etc. The end result is they don’t look like what they really look like.

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

I see your point. Probably they are intended just for magazines and publications where they show those "perfect faces" right?
So, i should not touch faces at all? And just worry about composition, lighting etc?

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

I see your point. Probably they are intended just for magazines and publications where they show those "perfect faces" right?
So, i should not touch faces at all? And just worry about composition, lighting etc?

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I have to agree with your other half on this one.

By providing services as a Professional, your clients expect you to do your magic, and as a photo retoucher, you task is to make them look as perfect as possible. I once took a head shot of a friend who, by her own admission, had not really taken any precautions with sun protection over her life. She was so pleased with the results that the image was her Facebook profile picture for almost 1 year.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I think you can do slight retouching... remove some wrinkles. This you can do without asking. Perhaps get your wife’s opinion before showing the client.

I just wouldn’t ask the customer a question that suggests that they might have flaws. Show them the results. Ask what they think. After a few, you’ll get a sense of what where to draw the line

I wouldn’t change eye color, do rhinoplasty, or anything over the top.

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

Yes! I took a picture of a friend and she did the same!!

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

I see.
It makes total sense. Specially ask the wife. Hahaha

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I shoot business portraits, and I do subtle retouching as a matter of course - Lightening wrinkles or bags under eyes, desaturating and slightly lightening teeth and whites of eyes, removing stray hairs. Blemishes are trickier - sometimes I will ask if someone wants them removed if I'm not sure if they are temporary or permanent like moles, and some people even ask that those be removed. If someone says they think they look too heavy and leave it at that, I might do some subtle thinning, but I sometimes get people who request thinning and are happy to hear that I can do it. I also sometimes get requests to fix sleepy eyes or crooked smiles, and I am happy to accommodate. I sometimes get people who say they like a particular photo except for some flaw, and I if can fix it, I will tell them that. Sometimes I have to try and talk people out of requested retouching if I think it might be too much - completely remove wrinkles or bags, whiten teeth that are already white enough. I rarely get requests to adjust the retouching, and when I do it's about evenly split between those who want more and those who want less, so I'm probably doing the right amount. my goal is to not have people that look at their photo think it looks touched up, but to say, "that's a good picture of you".

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

That is my goal. To do what you do.
Maybe like somebody was suggesting, send two "before" and "after" without telling what I fixed and asked which one they like the most.
What do you think?

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I agree with you wife.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I would not do that, it just brings too much attention to what you have done. I've gotten requests from people to watch when I do the retouching, and I also will not do that, for the same reason.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

"Happy wife, happy house."

Asking the subject what changes she would like is always a safe bet. If you decide on the changes, it shows that you find something about her face unattractive - something she may never have noticed.