1 comments

Having been a portrait photographer for many years, I have grown to love photographing what is natural and real. With the advent of digital photography and tools like Photoshop, the ability to retouch images and “fix” the way people look has become commonplace. Portrait photography clients frequently ask whether I can make them look younger or thinner. The answer to those types of questions is handled on an individual basis guided by what can or can’t be changed in a photograph and still remains natural and believable.

Once you choose your finished photographs, the images selected for printing can undergo a number of corrections. Some basic retouching to your photographs can include minimizing wrinkles, brightening eyes and teeth, evening out areas that are too dark or light, and eliminating some stray hair and facial blemishes.

At times, especially in posed group portraits, smiles can be fixed and blinking eyes can be opened, but only if there is a suitable image to pull the best features from. This technique generally doesn’t work for candid photographs. The extent and limitations of these retouching techniques can be discussed when selecting your favorite images.

Here are some examples of more extensive retouching:

  1. The girl in the white dress gets a new leg from another image, and the bandage is removed from her toe.Portrait Photography: What Can Be Retouched
  2. In the close-up photograph of the young girl, she had been bitten by a bug at the beginning of the session. Her eye swelled immediately. I made a conscious effort to photograph her in a pleasing way, and when I wasn’t able to avoid showing her eye, my team was able to retouch it and make it look “normal and real;” something I constantly strive for.Deborah Kalas - Portrait Photography Retouching
  3. In the third photograph, a woman’s thigh is slimmed. In some situations this is possible. Sometimes not.  Wrinkles from a shirt can be softened drawing less attention to it. A piece of dress can be made longer to cover a piece of underwear that may be showing.Retouched Hamptons Portraits

We will work together with each photograph you’ve chosen. These images will be carefully analyzed for what can and cannot be done to keep them looking real & natural while guaranteeing that you not only look like you, but you look your finest.

Click here for more information on how to choose your finished portraits.
1 comments

You are out for the summer in the Hamptons. The days are warm and long, your family is relaxed and enjoying all the summer activities. It’s a great time for a family portrait session. What about choosing a location that feels very much like the Hamptons and isn’t the ocean?

I have four special places that work well for family portraits with children of all ages and sizes. These are “secret spots” that I have located that have everything we need for a great Hamptons family portrait setting: beautiful lush greenery and lovely light. And the best part is that we are usually the only people there!

Here are some portraits taken at some of my “secret” Hamptons locations: A Secret Garden, A Private Horse Farm, A Hidden Farm Stand, A Remote Island:

photocrati gallery
3 comments

proposal_blog

Wedding proposal photography offers a new dimension to traditional wedding coverage. Each is unique and specific to the couple and offers a new dimension to documenting one of the most significant events in your life.

The most common scenario: The boyfriend calls well in advance with a plan in mind. Usually the plan includes some aspect of how they met or how they like to spend time together. We discuss logistics and how I can remain inconspicuous.

The latest proposal required a map. When the couple arrived, I was already in place pretending to photograph my assistant. As the couple passed, I took some candids of them. I then moved my pretend subject closer to the ocean and the designated “X marks the spot”. The couple returned from their walk and arrived at our imaginary “X”. He dropped to one knee and made his proposal. She was completely surprised and there was much hugging and kissing.

Show More Posts