Photo Editing

Photo editing, or correction, is the manual process of removing, or adding, detail. The editing is done in our digital lab and can range from minor adjustments, such as a tree limb being removed, all the way to major reconstruction of the photograph.

There are three levels for editing all except level 1 have additional charges when purchased with a package.

Level 1: We remove obvious blemishes, wrinkles, and distractions with a process similar to applying a little make-up. We also remove any accidental "red eye" that may occur. Cropping is also done. This type of editing is included with all our Wedding Packages. The price without a package is $15.00 per image. 

Level 2: Includes Level 1 editing plus uses lights and darks to create volume and shape; this draws the viewer's eye into the subject's face. We can also remove unwanted tatoos and rashes.  We can edit minor background distractions and flaws. This level of editing is offered at $15.00 per picture. Pricing without a package is $25.00 per image.

Level 3: Includes Level 1 and 2 plus finely sculpts the face with contrast, color, and detail to accentuate the eyes, lips and facial contours just as a classic painter would. We can remove major background distractions, to include replacing the entire background. We can also do "photo face-lifts" and place people in, or removing people from, the photograph. Costs can rage from $30.00 to over $100.00 per image. Price is set with customer at time of order after review of the original image.

The easiest way to demonstrate this technique is by example. Note the photographs here:

.....and then this.

To TOP

The examples here are Level 2 and cost extra. Level 1 editing is included with all Wedding Packages. The editing is done on the pictures that are for insertion into the Album(s). Level 1 editing is also included for all pictures in the DVD Slideshow. Slideshow DVD's are purchased separately from most Wedding Packages.

Lets look at this one. There is a lot of background clutter that needs to be removed. The swing, the fishing pole, and a house peeking out from the back. We removed the distractions to provide a quality picture.

And now another example.

Because of all of the distractions, we have removed the background completely, giving the picture a studio effect.

To TOP

Many people seem to think that makeup will cover anything. Not so, for the camera's eye. The first pictures shows makeup on the arm covering a tattoo. Not looking very good. The original picture shows the makeup much more than here. This needed only a Level One edit.

The picture is edited to remove the makeup look, and the skin color now appears closer to the actual real color. We also cropped the picture to remove some of the distracting background, because the kiss is the actual focus of this picture. Once again, the original 8x10 picture shows the colors much better than can be seen here. But, I'm sure you get the idea of how this picture was edited.

To TOP

This next couple asked for some very quick portraits, rather laid back. You can see some minor issues in the original picture below. In the edited photograph, we removed zits on her chin, and the bags under her eyes. We took some wrinkles out of her neck and gave her an overall pleasant appealing look. We also removed a stray hair from her face. On him, we re-colored his white socks. Finally we cropped the picture. All this was a basic Level 1 edit.

Original Version

Edited Version

This casual portrait would look absolutely beautiful on the Kodak Endura Metallic paper that we offer.

To TOP

Here's our couple again. Sometimes an edit can be subtle. Look at the original at the left, then compare to the edited picture on the right. We removed the bags from his eyes, and some frown lines on his forehead. The bags are gone from her eyes and the hair in her face has been removed. More could be done on this photo, such as blurring up the background a bit. This is a very cute casual portrait. However, once again the small size does not do justice to the picture.

To TOP

Here's a family portrait we took recently. The original was a little washed out. We enhanced the color, cropped the image to get rid of the distractions, and we blurred the background. Cropping the image brought the family in closer and made for a very nice family portrait.

To TOP

You can use these pictures to judge your photographs. There really is nothing too tough for us to handle. We have actually had to replace heads in a picture because one of the subjects just could not, or would not, look at the camera. When you look at a picture you may see a snapshot, we see endless possibilities.