Case Study #1
Builder – Dune Custom Homes
Photographer – Kelton Woodburn
AFTER ReTOUCHING
Original
Sky replacements can drastically improve the look of a photo. While the sky replacement above is the most noticeable change, notice also the removal of the "for sale" sign, the removal of other homes, the removal of distracting pipes and drains, and the adjustments to the windows to give them the appearance of interior illumination. In the example below, the sky replacement allows for an entirely new composition with much more area above the home, and less driveway below.
AFTER RETOUCHING
ORIGINAL
The post production of interior design-related photography is arguably the most intensive of all niches. Every final image is usually a composite – consisting of 2, 3, 4, or even more images methodically and precisely married together into a final product. The example below consists of three unique images. Among the main changes are: Getting rid of reflections in the glass doors, getting rid of the neighboring house, and color-correcting to remove a greenish tint.
AFTER RETOUCHING
ORIGINAL
Case Study #2
Builder – Mountainwood Homes
Designer – Domov Furnishings
Photographer – David Papazian
AFTER RETOUCHING
In this master bedroom shot, the lamps have been "turned on" in post, the view through the mirror has been improved, the view out the window has been replaced, the blues in the fabrics have been enriched, the ceiling fan has been removed, and shadows on the ceiling have been smoothed out, among several other changes. Can you spot all the differences?
ORIGINAL
AFTER RETOUCHING
"Stitching" is another technique frequently used by photographers. It entails taking a photo, raising the camera's perspective, and taking another. Then the two (or more) images are combined to make the overall image larger – to give more 'visual real estate'. In this living room shot, two images were "stitched" together to show more of the wooden ceiling above. Other changes: A blue color cast was removed on the grey furniture, the reflections in the fireplace were reduced, floor plates were removed from the carpet, the color of the candles was corrected, etc.
ORIGINAL
Case Study #3
Remodeler: Hamish Murray Construction
Photographer – David Papazian
AFTER RETOUCHING
This cozy kitchen is another example of a "stitched" shot. However, the main improvement is on the lefthand-side, where the chairback meets the glass door. In the 'before' shot, this is what we call "bloom" or "glow". The shininess of the chair gets hit with light so hard that it becomes almost white, and the edges of the chair get lost. It also draws your eye to this part of the image. In retouching, the chairs were fixed/recreated, and as a result the eye moves more toward the center of the image as intended by the photographer.
ORIGINAL
Case Study #4
Remodeler – Hamish Murray Construction
Designer – Midori Karasawa
Photographer – David Papazian
AFTER RETOUCHING
This mid century remodel has a coveted view of Mount Hood, but it was obscured by a tree in this particular angle. By using a photo taken from the actual balcony, the majestic view of mount hood was composited into the final shot.
ORIGINAL