Retouching is a crucial part of photography, but it can also be a source of frustration and misunderstanding if you don't communicate your goals and expectations clearly with your clients, collaborators, or retouchers. In this article, you'll learn how to set clear goals and expectations for a retouching project, and how to avoid common pitfalls and problems along the way.
The first step in setting clear goals and expectations for a retouching project is to define the scope and purpose of the project. What is the final output and format of the images? Who is the target audience and what is the message or mood you want to convey? How much time and budget do you have for the retouching process? These questions will help you determine the level and style of retouching that is appropriate and realistic for your project.
Setting clear goals and expectations for a retouching project is crucial for a successful outcome and positive client satisfaction. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to establish clear goals and expectations: Initial Consultation: Define Scope of Work: Project Timeline: Detailed Quote and Contract: Sample Approval Process: Communication Channels: Revisions Policy: Delivery Format and Specifications: Quality Standards: Client Feedback Process: Client Responsibilities: By following these steps, you can establish a solid foundation for a retouching project, ensuring that both you and the client have a clear understanding of goals, expectations, and the overall project scope.
One thing I’ve found helpful is communicating regularly with the client. Maintaining open lines of communication ensured that expectations were managed effectively and any changes to the project scope or objectives were discussed and agreed upon promptly. This not only helped in building trust but also in adapting to changes more efficiently. Utilizing visual references and mood boards has been another key strategy. Providing visual examples or mood boards ensured that both parties had a clear understanding of the desired outcome. This step was particularly useful in bridging the gap between conceptual ideas and tangible results.
When driving your car how do you get to your destination? Well you use your gear selector, your steering wheel, your accelerator and your brakes. You'll likely use your signals, your mirrors, your lights, maybe your wipers. To make it more enjoyable you may turn on your radio or you may just roll with the windows down. While all of these things help you to get there, none of them are as important as simply knowing where you need to go! All the software, all the techniques, all the LUTs, and the methods don't matter as much as knowing or having the vision, the knowledge or the example of what you want to accomplish. Sure you can retouch just for the sake of exploring, or testing, but that wouldn't have a plan now would it.
The next step is to communicate your vision and preferences to your clients, collaborators, or retouchers. You can use visual references, mood boards, sketches, or annotations to show what you have in mind for the retouching. You can also use specific terms and examples to describe the look and feel you want to achieve, such as natural, realistic, artistic, dramatic, or stylized. Be as clear and detailed as possible, and avoid vague or subjective terms that can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.
The third step is to establish a feedback and revision process that works for both you and your clients, collaborators, or retouchers. You should agree on how and when you will exchange feedback, how many revisions are included, and how you will handle any changes or requests that are out of scope or beyond the agreed deadline. You should also use constructive and respectful feedback that focuses on the specific issues and solutions, rather than personal opinions or preferences. A good feedback and revision process will ensure that the retouching project meets your goals and expectations, and that everyone is satisfied with the outcome.
Feedback and revision processes should be discussed before starting a project. Determine how many revisions are reasonable, and then stick to that number. Also, make sure deadlines are kept.
The fourth step is to use the right tools and formats for your retouching project. You should choose the software and plugins that suit your needs and preferences, and that are compatible with your clients, collaborators, or retouchers. You should also use the appropriate file formats and settings for your images, such as RAW, TIFF, PSD, JPEG, or PNG, depending on the quality, size, and purpose of your images. You should also use color profiles, resolution, and compression that match your final output and format. Using the right tools and formats will ensure that your retouching project is consistent, efficient, and professional.
Discuss the tools you will be using before starting the project. You should also be clear about the format the images will be delivered. Some retouching tools are superior to others, and image format makes a huge difference when it comes to image quality and size. For photography, RAW, TIFF and JPEG are the go-to formats. PSD if you use Photoshop.
The final step is to test and evaluate the results of your retouching project. You should check your images on different devices, screens, and printouts to see how they look and feel in different contexts and environments. You should also compare your images with your original vision and goals, and see if they meet your expectations and standards. You should also ask for feedback from your clients, collaborators, or retouchers, and see if they are happy with the results. Testing and evaluating the results will help you improve your retouching skills and learn from your mistakes and successes.