What are the most common problems you face when retouching difficult photos?

2 Color Casts

Color casts are unwanted tints or hues that affect the overall color balance of your photos. They can be caused by various factors, such as the type and temperature of the light source, the white balance setting, the color profile, or the lens filter. Color casts can make your photos look unnatural, unrealistic, or unappealing. To correct color casts, you can use various tools and techniques in your editing software, such as white balance adjustment, color correction filters, curves, levels, and selective color. However, the best way to prevent color casts is to shoot with the correct white balance setting for your light source, and use a neutral or custom color profile.

3 Blown Highlights and Clipped Shadows

Blown highlights and clipped shadows are those areas of your photos that are either too bright or too dark to show any detail or texture. They can be caused by various factors, such as the exposure setting, the dynamic range of your camera, or the contrast of the scene. Blown highlights and clipped shadows can make your photos look flat, overexposed, or underexposed. To recover blown highlights and clipped shadows, you can use various tools and techniques in your editing software, such as exposure adjustment, highlight and shadow recovery, tone mapping, and HDR merging. However, the best way to prevent blown highlights and clipped shadows is to shoot with the optimal exposure setting for your scene, and use a histogram or a highlight alert to check your exposure.

5 Dust and Scratches

Dust and scratches are those small imperfections that appear on your photos due to dirt, dust, or scratches on your camera sensor, lens, or filter. They can make your photos look dirty, damaged, or old. To remove dust and scratches, you can use various tools and techniques in your editing software, such as spot healing, clone stamp, content-aware fill, and dust and scratches filters. However, the best way to prevent dust and scratches is to keep your camera sensor, lens, and filter clean and protected, and use a blower or a brush to remove any dust before shooting.

6 Skin Blemishes and Wrinkles

Skin blemishes and wrinkles are those flaws that affect the appearance of the skin of your subjects, such as pimples, scars, freckles, or wrinkles. They can make your subjects look unflattering, unhealthy, or aged. To smooth skin blemishes and wrinkles, you can use various tools and techniques in your editing software, such as spot healing, patch tool, healing brush, frequency separation, and dodge and burn. However, the best way to prevent skin blemishes and wrinkles is to use proper lighting, makeup, and moisturizer for your subjects, and use a diffuser or a reflector to soften the light.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?