In the past, when I would compare my work to that of professionals I admired, there was always an abyss.
All images, printed or not, are bi-dimensional mediums, which represent subjects or scenes through luminosity and color values. Speaking in these terms, all images should basically be the same at their core. What differentiates great retouching from bad retouching? What differentiates an experienced retoucher from a novice?
I think that the real secret simply lies in our own perception. My perception will influence my decisions, and those decisions will directly influence my future. As humans, we are the sum of all our life experiences, and, every day, those experiences shape our judgement and the way we approach everyday situations.
Since our experiences shape our future, why don’t we try to shape our own perceptions? Why don’t we try to be more deliberate with what influences us?
This is something that you can do every day, but like all skills, it needs to be cultivated. How often do you go to an exhibition or a museum? Have you ever closely studied the work of your favorite photographers or retouchers? Do you read books about color theory and composition? Have you ever studied the colors and photography of a great movie?
Want to get better? Consume good content, constantly, and try to be pro-active. Of course, it is going to take time; it is not something that can be achieved overnight. However, it is one of the most important exercises for changing the way you perceive the work of others, as well as your own. You have to expose yourself to what “good” actually means, all the time. Your creative process is just a muscle, and like all muscles, it can be trained, and it will get stronger.
Concepts I learned from Chris Do and Natalia Taffarel.