S2 #4 – Retouching tips from the expert w/ Vahakn Vorperian

Vahakn Vorperian is a UK based high end visual retoucher that has worked for some of the top names in the industry for many years. We talk to Vahakn about his journey into retouching, his tips and techniques, and his thoughts on the future of the medium.
Website: https://www.the-retouchers.com/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vahaknvorperian/?hl=en Astropad software for turning your tablet into a retouching tablet Tim Walker – Fashion Photographer Shooting plates & assets – blank plates at beginning and the end of a shoot Vanity Fair 2018 retouching cock up Jay Brooks – All Creatures Great and Small – Series 2 image Nodel Ninja panoramic head Panoramic stitch – Capture One PT Gui softwareTIPS

Always keep the original layer – duplicate it and lock the original away
Separate background and skin into folders – naming accordingly
Depth of your canvas – your layer stacks. Items Furthest away always at bottom of the stack
Toms Tiff file tip and tips on proper folder structures
Naming convention Vahakn uses for his projects: (Job Number – Client – name of photographer)
Use of WIPs (Work in Progress) streams for email conversations
Delete the shots that don’t work! (unless you want the clients to end up picking them)
Disney and the case of the hairy arms
Green Screen – shoot on grey, not on green! And avoid shooting on white for anything you want to cut out. 50% grey probably best
Shoot on Haze on Black – Then use blend modes (ie. screen or hard mix)

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