"When retouching a photography how much is too much?" Some people live their whole lives with what the general populous might deem unsightly blemishes. Either the person doesn't get it removed for financial or moral reasons or they just don't care. Regardless at the studio we retouch every photograph with two thoughts in mind 1) make the people look their best. 2) Keep the people looking like who they really are. If you have a mole that you have lived with your whole life it is part of who you are so it stays.
The client that sparked this train of thought after seeing the proofs said "Wow, the pictures are great, but I should really get that removed," referring to a mole that she has had for over 30 years. Here are these beautiful keepsakes of her wedding, one of the most joyful days of her life and all she can see is the mole that she has seen every day of her life when she looks in the mirror.
That got me to thinking about my function as a photographer. A purest captures the moment for what it is, nothing more nothing less. But what if what you are capturing is more than physical, what if it is the subjects vision of what is going on.
A bride on her wedding day is at her apex, hair... the best, makeup... perfect, dress... flawless. While in reality that might not be the case in her mind, hopefully, she is perfection. I believe that this is what should be conveyed in the photography.
But who decides what stays and what goes. What if Matthew Brady decided when taking Lincoln's photograph that the mole has to go? Ultimately still it falls to the subject or person commissioning the images to be made. Communication is important, and tough. I don't feel right asking a client "Hey do you want me to touch that out. " What one person thinks is beautiful might not be the same as another.
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