Friday, January 26, 2024
Welcome to our 1st episode of Wrap Party! In today's discussion, we are joined by Sabina Miklowitz, a photographer and retoucher in one of New York’s prominent fashion houses. We dive into her valuable experience and insights from her work and overall view of today’s retouching climate.
This first episode explores the intricacies of client communication, the evolving landscape of retouching workflows, and how irreplaceable the role of human expertise in retouching confronts the evolution of AI. We also introduce the inception of our 2024 Retouching Industry Survey — an initiative to provide a transparent and comprehensive insight into what retouchers experience today with their pay, their business practices, and more.
Tune in as we peel back the often unspoken truths and questions of our industry. Our goal of bringing more equitable change for retouching creatives and post-production professionals starts here. Stay tuned for more episodes!
Takeaways
The retouching industry needs a community where professionals can share knowledge and information about rates and work practices.
Estimating and working with clients can be challenging, but it is important to have open communication and set clear expectations.
AI is becoming increasingly integrated into retouching workflows, but it is still a tool that requires human expertise and judgment.
Attention to detail and authenticity are crucial in retouching to ensure high-quality results.
The industry should strive for equality and fair treatment, addressing issues such as race and gender disparities. Retouching skills can be applied to various industries and projects, making it a versatile creative pursuit.
Specializing in a specific area of retouching, such as fashion or beauty, can help maintain interest and expertise.
Choosing the right projects and being transparent with clients about capabilities and limitations is crucial for a successful and fulfilling career in retouching.
Effective communication and transparency with clients can help manage expectations and prevent misunderstandings.
Flexibility in scheduling and being prepared for client delays is important for maintaining a healthy work environment.
Accounting for admin and production time is essential for accurately estimating and pricing retouching projects.
Preventing scope creep requires setting clear boundaries and being upfront about additional costs or changes in project scope.
The retouching industry has evolved with the rise of digital media and social platforms, leading to changes in budgets and work expectations.
Factoring in admin and production time is necessary for a well-rounded and sustainable retouching career.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Technical Difficulties
03:06 - Background and Need for a Retouching Community
06:28 - Importance of Estimating and Inequalities in the Industry
11:25 - Transition from Retouching to Photography
13:45 - The Retouching Survey
18:19 - Estimating and Working with Clients
20:52 - The Impact of AI on the Industry
25:26 - AI Features in Photoshop
32:11 - The Role of AI in Retouching
35:03 - The Importance of Attention to Detail and Authenticity
36:19 - The Value of Having an Eye for Retouching
37:40 - The Versatility of Retouching
39:03 - The Importance of Interest and Specialization
40:15 - Choosing the Right Projects
41:24 - Dealing with Client Delays
42:30 - Communication and Transparency
44:23 - Flexibility in Scheduling
45:34 - Accounting for Admin and Production Time
50:19 - Preventing Scope Creep
51:33 - The Health of the Retouching Industry
54:37 - Factoring in Admin and Production Time
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