Retouching can’t reinvent the lighting of a portrait. At least not yet. But small changes can make a noticeable difference to the photo.
The original portrait (above) is much too dark and flat. Large shadow areas dominate the image, causing the jacket, chair, and background to blend together into one heavy black mass. As a result, the subject lacks separation from the background, and the portrait loses depth and detail.
Careful retouching transforms the original image by adding an interesting light effect. This does more than just brighten the photo. The added lighting reduces excessive contrast and creates depth and dimension. This helps the subject stand out from the background. The retouched lighting has improved the readability of the photo.
A dramatic, dark image can be very effective for a personal portrait. But it may not be the best choice for a business portrait. If your business message is about strength, tradition, or seriousness, that should be conveyed with clothing style, pose, and facial expression. In this particular photo, the person has a passive pose, a smile, and casual dress, all of which contradict the original dramatic lighting.
Effective portrait lighting should be created during the shoot. But if the lighting in a portrait falls short, thoughtful retouching can often rescue the image and produce a compelling portrait.
