Why do so many consider post-production/photo editing as "grunt work"?
 

Time and again I see folks here on GFY posting threads looking for people to do photo editing "grunt work".

In my mind, a truly professional photographer worth his salt would never denegrate post-production photo editing as merely grunt work.

Not to say that all photographs are works of art or in the same league - but would Da Vinci have painted the Mona Lisa and then handed it over to someone and say, "Here's two bucks...fill in the background, would ya'?"

Handing an artistically-conceived image over to someone else to finish breaks the chain of creativity and visionary spirit.

My photo editing consists of running a batch in Photoshop to resize and add the watermark these days. But back when I owned a content company shooting 18 and 19 year old girls required DAYS of work in Photoshop.

You would be surprised how many 18 and 19 year old girls are covered in stretch marks, have horrible rash on their ass, and razor burn on their pussy and tons of bruises. So yeah, that was definitely grunt work. A monkey could have done it.

I'm glad that retouching photos is no longer something that is needed for me.

I would imagine the reason its grunt work, is because you are doing sets containing 500+ photos. It just wouldn't be cost effective to spend 30 mins on each image making it perfect.

Are you telling me all this is not REAL? GASP! :warning:warning:warning

I very rarely do any post production work on my photos unless it is a single image or a few images I am going to use in a graphic design for a site or DVD boxcover. For the most part I just hire pretty, young models without too many flaws that would need to be covered up, give them good makeup and have a great photographer take their photos with good lighting and there is no reason to Photoshop anything.

That's one picture vs. a couple thousand usually on a shoot. It's meaningless and repetitive... don't think i've ever heard someone say "Oh yeah, nice touch up on that set Larry - great work there!" :2 cents:

Speaking of which, I think these could of used some work.. okay alot of work ...

http://www.nnteenmodels.net/tgp/kats...-outfit/15.jpg

This would be because folks here on GFY tend to not have a clue, or the capacity of adding any value whatsoever.

Yes if we all had your extensive resume and background we would be far better off.... :1orglaugh

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh

Perhaps not - but wouldn't you prefer them making a comment like that rather than "Good gawd, dude....look at the razor burn, zits and bruises!"

I dunno - maybe its just the assembly line/mass production approach as compared to taking the personal care and effort to offer the best product possible to the customer. By comparison - I just can't see the fry-maker at Wendys tuning my Ferrari.

Granted, a lot can be said for hiring the 'picture perfect' model everytime and a talented makeup artist to hide the flaws from the camera...in which case post-edit time would be drastically cut down.

But we all know the logistics behind that idealism isn't always do-able.

Congrats on finding all those flawless young models. :thumbsup

I'm curious, tho - do you fire them if they sneak in bra strap marks or an unusual pattern on their arse from posing in a wicker chair?

I try to think of those things ahead of time and have the models slip out of their constrictive clothes while they are in makeup to minimize marks. Plus a lot of my girls are skinny so they aren't squeezed too tight into their garments, he he.

Holy shit what is wrong with the girl posted above?

Ahh it's Kat fuck she's popular.. why does she have soo many zits on her body.. Is that ingrown hairs??

http://www.nnteenmodels.net/tgp/kats...-outfit/11.jpg

Imperfections of models, if they're kept within reason, will sooner will be regarded as pros by customers rather then cons.

They are fakers, fake photos

Can't believe they didn't spend another 2 mins on that pic before they released it.

http://www.linksboy.com/katfixed.jpg

Silent knight you cant compare your stuff to 80 percent of whats out there. Your work is truly art not filler.

First round of drinks on me someday at a con, bro :)

Cause photoshop never sucked my cock? :1orglaugh

DUDE.

That's _exactly_ what Da Vinci did.

Read up on your art history.

omg! What is wrong with her legs?

If an artist doesn't use and become fluent with every tool at their disposal then they are leaving a piece of their creativity on the table. Kastle's work is art, without a doubt, and to him leaving the completion of his vision to someone who views it as grunt work is an abomination. He is an artist before anything else it seems and I completely agree that if you take your art seriously, no matter what it be, the details should always be yours to decide. And not left up to the hands of others. Any deviation from the vision crafted by you, from concept to completion, is unacceptable to any self respecting artist.

People consider it grunt work because that's the wages they want to pay.
If they asked for skilled retouchers then they would have to pay them decent $$$.