Course Title: Commercial Photography
Session Title: Retouching Basics
Lesson Duration: Approximately Five 90-minute class periods
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will successfully retouch several different kinds of photos using a variety of different digital editing tools.
Specific Objectives:
1. Define terms associated with the lesson.
2. Identify and use various digital editing tools.
3. Discuss the ethical cons of retouching photos.
4. Evaluate retouched photos.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
§130.91
(1) The student applies academic knowledge and skills in commercial photography. The student is expected to:
(A) apply English language arts knowledge and skills by demonstrating use of content, technical concepts, and vocabulary; using correct grammar, punctuation, and terminology to write and edit documents; and composing and editing copy for a variety of written documents such as brochures; and
(B) apply mathematics knowledge and skills by identifying whole numbers, decimals and fractions applied to measurement, percentages, depth of field, aperture, resolution, and scale; demonstrating knowledge of arithmetic operations; using conversion methods such as fractions to decimals and inches to points; and applying measurement to solve a problem.
(2) The student applies professional communications strategies. The student is expected to:
(A) adapt language for audience, purpose, situation, and intent such as structure and style;
(B) organize oral and written information;
(C) interpret and communicate information, data, and observations;
(D) give formal and informal presentations;
(E) apply active listening skills;
(F) listen to and speak with diverse individuals; and
(G ) exhibit public relations skills.
(3) The student understands and examines problem-solving methods. The student is expected to employ critical-thinking and interpersonal skills independently and in teams to solve problems.
(10) The student applies technical skills for efficiency. The student is expected to employ planning and time-management skills to complete work tasks.
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: Retouching Basics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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(11) The student develops an increasing understanding of commercial photography. The student is expected to:
(L) Produce a variety of photographs using current, industry-standard production processes; and
(M) Evaluate photographs using principles of art, commercial photography standards, and critical-thinking skills.
Instructor/Trainer
References:
Research online images that have been digitally edited compared to the same image before.
Research online video clips showing how retouching creates beautiful people
Instructional Aids:
1. Retouching Basics slide presentation
2. Retouching Basics Workflow Idea
3. Retouching Basics Quiz
4. Retouching Basics Quiz Key
5. Retouching Basics Test
6. Retouching Basics Test Rubric
Materials Needed:
1. Current magazines
2. Pen and paper for note-taking
Equipment Needed:
1. Computer with projection system to display slide presentation
2. Computer lab with digital image editing software
3. Digital single-lens reflex camera
4. Photographic lighting equipment
5. Secure Digital memory card
Learner:
None.
Introduction
MI Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
DO : Show an online video that shows the transition of the face during retouching.
DO : Have a stack of popular magazines on hand (or have students bring some from home). Have students go through the various magazines and look at the various photos in the advertisements.
ASK : Did you know that 99% of photos used in advertisements are retouched (or digitally altered) in some way, shape, or form?
DO : Show students before and after photos. This is not a comparison of ugly vs. pretty. Instead, it is meant to show that the “ideal” look is unrealistic.
ASK : Why do you think retouching photos is an important skill for a commercial photographer to develop and possess?
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: Retouching Basics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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[There will be a variety of answers to this question: people want to look perfect, companies want ads that portray an ideal rather than reality, photo shoots rarely occur in a perfect setting or go perfectly according to plan, etc.]
SAY : There are jobs within the photographic industry wherein people only digitally retouch images. Over the next several days, we will learn about photo retouching.
Outline
MI Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
I. Define terms associated with the lesson.
A. Retouching – the art of digitally editing a photograph to make slight repairs/alterations.
B. Workflow – the order in which you choose to retouch your photo.
C. Hot spots – shiny areas on a subject’s face which are caused by a flash reflecting off a shiny surface or by uneven lighting.
II. Identify and use various digital editing tools
A. Clone Stamp Tool
B. Spot-Healing Brush
C. Dodge Tool
D. Liquify Filter
E. Sharpening Tool
III. Discuss the ethical cons of retouching photos.
A. Lying
B. Documentary photography versus artistic photography
C. Societal issues (unrealistic expectations based on perceived levels of perfection)
Instructor Notes:
Use the slide presentation to discuss the following terms.
Use a teacher computer to identify and discuss the function of each of the digital retouch tools within a software package.
Demonstrate the location and function of each tool (when applicable) as you progress through the list.
KEY QUESTIONS:
Do you think it is okay to retouch photos? Why or why not?
Why would it be considered more acceptable to retouch artistic photos rather than documentary photos?
Why might it be a bad idea to digitally retouch photos in teen magazines – especially photos of models?
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: Retouching Basics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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IV. Evaluate retouched photos.
A. Lighting
B. Quality of photo
C. Retouch methods used
D. Directions followed
Distribute and review the
Retouching Basics, Rubric and Test with students so they understand the criteria that will be used to evaluate the final photograph.
Application
MI Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
The teacher will demonstrate the digital editing process of various tools. Ask for two volunteers to re-demonstrate in front of peers. Students are expected to actively listen and observe during the demonstrations and to ask questions about the process as needed.
MI Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students will work on the retouching practice process independently. Provide adequate time to take and retouch photos. Observe and reteach when necessary.
Summary
MI Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Q & A Review Session
Q: What is a “workflow?”
A: The specific order in which you choose to arrange your photo improvements.
Q: What are “hot spots?”
A: Overly bright areas of an image that are often reflections.
Q: Which tools would I use to retouch eyes to make them pop?
A: Sharpening Tool
Q: Which tool is the best to use to remove blemishes?
A: Spot Healing Brush
Q: What would be best tool to use to adjust the shape of someone’s face?
A: Liquify Filter
Evaluation
MI Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
Teacher will circulate through classroom as students work on the digital editing practice process independently to redirect/re-teach as necessary.
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: Retouching Basics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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MI Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Give students the Retouching Quiz and the Retouching Test. Grade Retouching
Quiz using Retouching Quiz Key and grade Retouching Test using Retouching Test
Rubric.
Extension
MI Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):

Have students find and develop new methods for retouching and present them to class in a tutorial session.

Have students bring photos from home to retouch.

Have students take additional photos and edit them for practice.
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: Retouching Basics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Directions: In the space below, describe what you utilize as your workflow when you are retouching a photo. Describe which tools you use, the specific order that you use them in, and why. Take time to play around with different photos in online programs to figure out what works best for you and also research the workflow of other well-known photographers before making your decision.
______________________________________________________________________
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: Retouching Basics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Student Name: Date: ___
Matching: Match the correct term to the definition/method you would utilize it for. Record your answer in the space provided.
1. _____ To get rid of a blemish on a person’s face.
2. _____ To copy grass from one part of a photograph to another empty area.
3. _____ To make eyes pop in a portrait shot.
4. _____ To make a person appear thinner in a photograph.
5. _____ To brighten a specific area of a photo.
a. Clone Stamp Tool b. Spot-Healing Brush c. Dodge Tool d. Liquify Filter e. Sharpening Tool
Multiple Choice: Select the single best answer for each statement or question below. Record your answer in the space provided.
6. The act of making small improvements or alterations to a digital photo. a. Retouching b. Tools c. Spot-heal d. Workflow
7.
8.
The specific order in which you choose to arrange your photo improvements. a. Retouching b. Tools c. Spot-heal d. Workflow
_ What is a “hot spot?” a. A workflow b. A digital image editing program c. An overly bright area of an image that is often a reflection d. A tool in the digital retouching program
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: Retouching Basics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Student Name: Date:
Matching: Match each term to the correct definition/use. Record your answer in the space provided.
1. B To get rid of a blemish on a person’s face.
2. A To copy grass from one part of a photograph to another empty area.
3. E To make eyes pop in a portrait shot.
4. D To make a person appear thinner in a photograph.
5. C To brighten a specific area of a photo.
a. Clone Stamp Tool b. Spot-Healing Brush c. Dodge Tool d. Liquify Filter e. Sharpening Tool
Multiple Choice: Select the single best answer for each statement or question below. Record your answer in the space provided.
6. A The act of making small improvements or alterations to a digital photo. a. Retouching b. Tools c. Spot-heal d. Workflow
7. D The specific order in which you choose to arrange your photo improvements. a. Retouching b. Tools c. Spot-heal d. Workflow
8. C _ What is a “hot spot?” a. A workflow b. A digital image editing program c. An overly bright area of an image that is often a reflection d. A tool in Photoshop
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: Retouching Basics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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DIRECTIONS: Read through all steps prior to starting the test. You will need a camera and access to a computer with a digital image editing program to complete this test.
1. Take a photograph of a person’s face using professional photographic lighting and lenses.
2. Upload the photo to your computer.
3. Using retouching techniques discussed in class, retouch the photo to improve the way it looks to the best of your abilities.
 You must perform at least five of the retouching techniques learned and practiced in class.
4. When you are finished, save your file into the folder designated by your instructor.
5. In the space below, write out the techniques you used when retouching the photo.
 Be sure to include which techniques you used, why you used them, and how they effected your photo.
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: Retouching Basics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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25
Lighting is creative and assembled in a professional fashion.
Great photo that follows the principles of design and is creative.
20
Photo is well lit and contains no more than two minor flaws.
Great photo that follows the principles of design.
Five or more retouching methods were used correctly when retouching the photo.
All directions were followed correctly.
Four retouching methods were used correctly during the retouching of the photo.
Four directions were followed correctly.
15
Lighting quality is adequate; photo contains three or more flaws.
10
Photo is poorly lit with numerous or major flaws.
5
No attempt was made to incorporate lightinging into the photograph, or the quality of lighting was completely unacceptable.
Photo does not represent technical proficiency or artistic eye.
Photo is of neutral quality.
Maybe taken from a poor angle; maybe a technical flaw.
Three retouching methods covered were used correctly in the assignment.
Three directions were followed correctly.
Photo does not represent a good artistic eye.
Less than three retouching methods were utilized or were used incorrectly.
Less than three directions were followed correctly.
No retouching methods were used or they were used in an improper way.
No attempt was made to follow the directions.
Comments
TOTAL:
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: Retouching Basics
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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