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 software

TIPS

• 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)

i1 Display Pro calibrator
Jigsaw24
Stanley Green - Black Passport
Eugeune Smith - Minamata trailer
Tom’s Hand Spanks (retouching glove)
Robert Frank - London and Wales book and the image that we discuss
Sergio Larrain photobook