Do you Edit? Yes. Do you Retouch? Yes.

Hello all, I think I'll finally get a bit deeper than just posting pretty pictures, this way more of you guys are more educated on what to look for when you're looking for a photographer for your big day. One of the questions besides "do you shoot digital?" or "are you digital?" is "Do you 'retouch' the images that are included in the DataDVD that's included in your package?" The answer to that is pretty simple and it is a big B-I-G no. I am pretty sure that you will NEVER find a photographer that shoots in a mixture of Photojournalistic, Candid, Directed, and Traditional styles to actually sit down and retouch each and ever image that is delivered to the couple. BUT.....they may edit ALL of them! Which is what I do. Let me explain.

The term retouch is thrown around very loosely among other photographers, but for me there is a very big and distinct difference between editing all of the images and retouching them. For me, the brief definition for retouching an image would be removing stray hairs, blemishes, pimples or other imperfections on the face(s) as well as other "physical" changes (i.e. removing unwanted person(s) or items) to the image. I am very sure that no photographer is going to "retouch" ALL the images, if he shoots 800 or 1000 shots, you probably will not get your images back for at least 6 months! In my opinion, the brief definition for editing is adjusting the white balance, luminance, contrast, saturation, color correction, and any other adjustments/tweaks that may give the images that extra pop to give it that signature MrHenryWang look.

For us, the workflow for after an shoot is to download the images then back them up 3 times in two different locations (we're proud of that). Then we would go through all of the images shot to delete any of the undesirable images, for example blinked, flash not firing, testing shots, or the occasional out of focus shots (yes, we're human too....). After that step is done then comes the "editing" stage. We open each image with our RAW file editor and, as I mentioned above, we will adjust the luminance, contrast, saturation, white balance, and other secret tweaks that we do to give it the look we're looking for. All of the images that goes through this process is then saved to an uncompressed TIFF format which you will receive on DataDVD's. This means that all of the images/files that are received by our couples are fully edited, color corrected, and basically ready for showing off!

Now, please do not get confused and start telling everyone that Henry Wang Photography does not retouch any of the images. That's not true as well. Once our couples choose their favorite images for their album, we will do all of the retouching the bride and groom requests and also add our own touch to the images as well!

So while you're shopping for your wedding photographer, and he/she tells you that he professionally retouches all of the images that you get, ask him a quick follow up "I know it may sound silly, but what do you mean by retouch?"

-Henry

Vote Vote Vote!!!

I just received an e-mail from one of the cutest couples that I've shot in 2007, Kenny & Virginia, and Virginia has secretly signed themselves up for The Knot's Real Wedding Awards. I've already voted for them to win the contest, so if you guys have some spare time today please go to their page, register for the contest then VOTE VOTE VOTE for them!!!

The link to their page is: http://realweddingawards.theknot.com/photo/view/High-School-Sweethearts-tie-the-knot

Thanks!

Dante & Jimelle - October 13, 2007

Dante and Jimelle, they may look familiar to some of you because they're a great looking couple, but also because I had the pleasure of shooting their engagement session down in long beach and seal beach a few months before their wedding. They had their ceremony and reception at the beautiful Trump National Golf Club in Palos Verdes. Since I had the pleasure of shooting their engagements session, we were totally bonded and it was super cool and easy to work with each other! I'll let the images speak.....



I had so much time to play with these shots....love them!


me like this one too!


wow....flowers


Beautiful veil shot


Stunning bride!


love it!


such great light that day!


uh...this is the guys getting ready.......




Dante workin' it...


Back with the beauty's getting ready




1st meeting....so much joy and love!




these guys......already ran out of beer?




Dante bringing sexyback










This guy was totally getting on my nerves since the was gliding in the background for the entire duration of the ceremony.....good thing I got the clone tool!




Beautiful ceremony






Grand entrance was so much fun......everyone was getting into it!






this guy taking full advantage of his situation....good job!








but the couple of the hour still topped them all!


nice!


1st dance...


....having a moment....




cake carvin'


the bride's little cousin said "oooh, cake! and immediately took a taste of the cake.....with her finger!" You can see the shock in Jimelle's face!


the evidence...


Showing some love!




everyone had a great time....


including me and Kalen (my 2nd shooter) Thanks Dante and Jimelle for the shotS just when we were leaving........