Initially I would like to define the distinction between retouching and what I call, image enhancement.
Quite simply, I consider retouching to be when something is added, deleted or altered with respect to the content of the image. Image enhancement, on the other hand, uses only image information that exists. Examples of the latter are colour balancing and tonal corrections. Being a little old fashioned, I can remember life before digital imaging became commonplace and liken image enhancement to that normally achieved in a conventional professional darkroom. A very large proportion of photographs benefit from image enhancement.
A combination of compositing and retouching can also be used to create an image that would otherwise be impossible or impractical to produce by any other means.
Careful attention is given to the direction and quality of lighting of each element as the human eye is extemely adept at picking up such irregularities.
When possible, I prefer to photograph each element and plan them up roughly in Photoshop as I go. By working in this manner, subtle changes may be made quickly and when it comes to retouching, much of the work has already been accomplished.
For speed and cost effectiveness, the same photograph of rope was used six times to create the image of the snail (right). Shadows and subtle lighting differences were achieved more cost effectively in retouching.
