Should You Supply RAW Files or NOT?

Clients and consumers are becoming more tech savvy with regards to photography. Or at least they think they are.  Learning terms and acronyms have made them aware of the options of files but not the differences, i.e. some may ask a photographer, can you send me the images. others may now be requesting the RAW files, or high resolution TIFF files, all the while not knowing what the differences and subsequent advantages and drawbacks of them are.

Having a client requesting/demanding the Raw files and then complaining that there isn't enough "Punch" to the images will make all photographers bit their hands when trying to reply sensibly.

(one of my favourite quotes is from a client I had asking for higher resolution images - I had sent through edited 4mp files for them to use not their website - I asked, sure, what resolution do they want it in and what is it for?  Their reply was, they want it in about 8megabytes resolution.... so that it fills their 42 inch Hdtv.... not realising that firstly Megabytes is the file size not the resolution and also not realising that no matter how big your tv is, the max resolution was 1080p which is about 2megapixels)
Lots of slapping forehead and biting fists that day.

Do Not Edit Facial Features! Portrait photography editing tip

DO NOT EDIT SOMEONES FACIAL FEATUERS: unless they ask you to. If there is a mole, a birthmark, a droopy eye, a crooked nose etc, do not edit that unless they ask you to. Small wrinkles, spots, blood vessels, out of place hair, makeup etc, yes, but not the elemenst that make up a persons face and which make it unique to them.

Headshot: Comedian

Head shots, portraits are all about getting the essence of the person you are shooting, or capturing the essence they want to portray.  For a lot of the time it will be a job of making someone look friendly, strong, sexy, masculine, feminine, mature, good looking, happy, serious, neutral or what ever

Dropbox edit challenge 1: Pamela Beck THE RESULTS

OK I am amazed by the speed and effort you have all gone too.


I am going to put up the images with attached details and links for you to review.


Click below to see loads!

Portrait lighting: Amber Yasmine Campbell, Model Head shots

On Saturday Yassie a friend and model of mine from shoots in the past got in contact and asked if I could help her out with some shots

here in this video i take you through my selection and editing process from a shoot with model Yassie Campbell, Head shots for a possible modelling job for Dove. No make up no fancy hair just natural looking shots.

I go through all the shots and also the different types of lighting use from no shadow to Rembrant to butterfly to short and broad lighting more videos to come regarding the lighting positions

Rembrant Lighting tip

Debbie Does Do's Hairdressing event in edinburgh

Adobe Lightroom Tutorials

Ok Here is what 95% of my photo editing workflow is based around Adobe Lightroom.

Lightroom from version 2 onwards has been brilliant (the first version was not that advanced and really just a cataloging) but from version 2 you were able to do gradients and adjustment brushes, spot removal and smoothing of skin.

Here are a bunch of videos to let you see how I work and also how to get the most out of your Adobe Lightroom software when editing your photos



More videos after the break

Flash Photography Portrait Editing (adobe lightroom)

Here is some of the editing used after the Posh grunge shoot

More videos after the link

second video

Why You NEED to EDIT your photos!

Here is a little video why anyone who buys a Dslr has to get an editing programme to work on their photos!