Are Photoshop Wizards taking work away from MUAs and Props folk?
Truth be told, I’ve heard the panic about this from very few people. It might have something to do with the already close relationship of editors and photographers that makes such a thing less unexpected and threatening. Whether photographers retouch themselves or hire out for it, editing has long been a staple in photography.
Is it possible that one will phase out the other aspects of photography, specifically, editors eliminating the need for makeup artists(a.k.a. MUAs) and prop creators? An important facet to this argument is cost and convenience.
Many people, mostly editors trying to sell their services, claim that using their skills instead of hiring a MUA (Make-Up Artist) saves a photographer time and money. On average, retouching prices seem to range from $10 to $30 per image on the more affordable end of the scale scale. Many retouchers charge more than that if they have to add makeup and special effects.
Is it worth it?
You should only continue reading if you want my personal opinion based on how I do things.
Simply put: No.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to hiring an experienced editor to put a finishing touch on my photos but I would not request anything more than high end skin and hair retouching and the standard fixing of makeup. (Darken eyeliner, enhance colors, etc)
Why?
Let me put it this way: A single makeup pallet I got over 3 years ago for $30 still has ALL of its colors. I do all of my own makeup effects except when the infamous Joseph Frank graces my studio.
My makeup brushes cost me $25 (love ebay) and my extensive collection of makeup has lasted me for years and still has more to go. If we’re talking about at least $10 per photo to add the makeup effects I want, doing my own makeup styling is more affordable.
If you’re not someone who can do makeup then it might make more sense to hire a digital artist to add it in for you. Personally I would find it difficult to do a photo shoot where all effects are added in post production; how could I possibly be sure I’m conveying the right feeling during the shoot?
A photo session that is going to depend entirely on post production to be completed is going to focus more on making sure that the photos taken will accommodate post shoot editing and that’s just not my style. I prefer a shooting environment where I and the model can move and be flexible with how we shoot.
When the effects are really there, the feeling changes. Sometimes literally. Michelle’s thorns were so effective I got cut while finishing her makeup.
As far as shopped in props and other extensive effects, I view it the same as movies that overuse CG effects. I’m not a big fan of either outcome. No matter how experienced the artist is and how good the results are, most people know it’s fake. If you want to give your entire image a fantasy feel that might be perfect for you, but if you need reality with a touch of special effects, relying on an editor to create your props from 3D files, stock art, or by hand will be both expensive and have a somewhat unrealistic result.
In conclusion, you can spend 10 minutes on a photography networking site looking at MUAs, stylists and other artists and know for certain that no Photoshop Wizard will be able to take away their jobs. Saying otherwise is to completely ignore the fact that many of these people are ARTISTS and often come up with concepts that make the entire photoshoot complete.
You just can’t fake it.
