Time for another installment of a before & After! Clients: This is a great way for you to understand the entire editing/color correction process, from day after wedding to final print/DVD in-hand! But, this time around I wanted to include the SOOC image(straight out of camera) for you to get a really good grasp on the entire process.
Step 1. The RAW image
This is an image you will never really see in this state. All images go thru a special color correction edit where the exposure, warmth, contrast, levels, and more are all adjusted to my customizations. Because i shoot 100% RAW, i have a TON of flexibility in editing all of my images and never compromising jpg quality over time. *NOTE: Although I shoot in RAW, it does not give me a “get out of jail free” card. I try and nail exposure every single click of the shutter to give me the best image possible. Don’t rely on the RAW-ness, rely on exposure :)
Step 2. The Proof Image
Here is the image after the color corrective process. One thing i have started doing this year is outsourcing my color correction to Colorati and THEY.ARE.MAGIC. Ask for Leon, he’ll chat with ya about how they want to help you enjoy life :) Yes, i could do it myself…or i could go play with my little girl and go to dinner with my husband and let them do it for me…and they are AMAZING and so so fast! I especially encourage you parents with children to look into their services…they have changed my business and productivity. So, all of that to say, #2 is the image that I would get back from them.
Step 3. The Artistic Edit
The magic fairy dust that lands on these images is the final touch! I artistically edit all of the images you see :) It’s one of my favorite parts of my job..I just LOVE it. I never use actions at 100%, try to use them sparingly, I don’t throw textures over people’s faces to make them look like they have hosiery on to rob a bank: i try and make people and places look REAL.
Hope this helps :)