Deborah Chan
Wedding photography is a time-consuming process that requires a lot of work behind the scenes. The time it takes to edit wedding photos varies depending on the photographer's style, schedule, and workload. On average, it takes around 2 to 2.5 hours of post-processing for every hour of shooting. Some photographers advise allowing 6 to 8 weeks to edit a full-day wedding, while others boast a turnaround time of under a week. The editing process involves culling through thousands of photos, applying basic colouring and toning, fine-tuning individual photos, and creating a digital gallery for the client. Screen fatigue is a common issue, so photographers often take breaks between editing sessions to stay fresh and excited about the photos.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken for editing | 2-2.5 hours of post-processing for every hour of shooting |
| Time taken for delivery | 6-8 weeks |
| Number of photos | 5000+ |
| Software used | Adobe Lightroom Classic, Photo Mechanic, Photoshop, Pixieset |
| Steps involved | Culling, selecting images, editing, final delivery |
| Editing techniques | Cloning, removing objects, colour correction, cropping, black and white conversion |
| Backup methods | iMac, hard drive, cloud storage |
| Factors influencing time taken | Extensive Photoshopping, dark venues, flash photography |
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What You'll Learn
Editing style and process
The editing style and process for wedding photographs involve several steps, from selecting the best shots to applying final retouches. The goal is to achieve a consistent look and feel that represents the essence of the wedding day. Here is a detailed breakdown of the editing style and process:
Selection and Culling:
The first step is to go through all the photographs taken during the wedding and select the best ones for editing. This process is called "culling." Photographers may use software like Photo Mechanic or Adobe Bridge to efficiently sort through thousands of images, choosing the ones with the best potential. This initial selection sets the foundation for the editing process.
Basic Adjustments:
Once the culling is complete, photographers apply basic adjustments to the selected images. This includes correcting exposure, white balance, and tone to ensure the images are visually consistent and aligned with the photographer's style. Tools like Lightroom's "preset" feature allow photographers to apply these basic adjustments to multiple images simultaneously, saving time and establishing a cohesive look.
Fine-Tuning and Retouching:
After the basic adjustments, photographers fine-tune individual images to address specific needs. This stage involves more intricate editing techniques, such as cropping for better composition, minimizing photographic grain, adjusting horizons, and making artistic adjustments. Photoshop or Lightroom's advanced tools are commonly used for this purpose. Fine-tuning ensures that each photo is polished and reflects the desired aesthetic.
Final Delivery:
The final step in the process is delivering the edited photographs to the clients. This typically involves exporting the images in a suitable format, such as JPEG, and providing them through an online gallery or a physical album. Some photographers use platforms like Pixieset, which offer customization options, easy downloading, and the ability to favourite, share, and purchase prints directly from the gallery.
It's important to note that the editing process can vary depending on the photographer's style, preferences, and workflow. Some photographers may take a few days to a couple of weeks to complete the editing process, while others may advise allowing up to 6-8 weeks for the final delivery. The time taken depends on factors such as the photographer's schedule, the number of images, and the level of editing required.
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Cloning and removing objects
Photoshop is often used for this type of detailed work, with tools like the clone and blemish fix being instrumental in removing unwanted objects without resorting to cropping. Other software, such as Pixlr, also offers a Remove Object Tool that uses AI to detect and remove objects, blending the background seamlessly. This can save time and effort, creating a polished and focused image.
The time taken for this process can vary depending on the number of images and the extent of the editing required. As a rule of thumb, for every hour of shooting, it can take 2-2.5 hours of post-processing. This can be longer if there is extensive Photoshopping, poor lighting, or flash used in some photos but not others.
It is worth noting that some photographers may not offer extensive retouching services, and it is important to communicate retouching policies clearly to clients. Some photographers may offer a few free retouches, while others may charge for extensive editing.
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Dealing with colours
Colour plays a pivotal role in wedding photography, and editing is a chance to enhance and adjust colours to achieve a particular style or mood. One of the initial steps in editing wedding photos is colour correction, which helps the images appear more natural and true to the scene. This can be done using Adobe Lightroom CC, which has built-in brushes and presets to enhance colours and make other adjustments.
Lightroom Classic's hue, saturation, lightness, and vibrance adjustments can be found in two main panels. The white balancing is adjusted for the entire image from the top. The dropper tool can be used to select a white item in the image, such as the couple's shirt or the bride's outfit, and then the temperature or tint sliders can be used to modify the selected area. Lightroom's HSL panel allows for independent adjustment of each colour in the image, without influencing the others or the overall hue.
Curves and level adjustments are also important tools for colour accuracy. Curves allow photographers to adjust an image's brightness and contrast, adding depth or correcting colours. Level adjustments help to resolve exposure discrepancies, ensuring balanced colour hues. The dehaze tool can also be used to adjust haziness and eliminate defects with lighting, adding full tones and creating clear lines of all objects in the image.
When it comes to choosing a wedding photographer, it is important to consider their editing style. Different photographers have different preferences and approaches to how they want their photographs to look and feel. Some popular editing styles include true-to-colour, which features real-life colours with a clean and simple look, and bold and vibrant, which has more saturated, contrasty colours and darker shadows.
Ultimately, the goal of colour editing in wedding photography is to accurately represent the scene's colours and enhance the overall mood and style of the images.
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Backing up images
Backing up your wedding photos is an essential step to ensure that your memories are preserved for years to come. Technology can be unpredictable, and you don't want to risk losing your precious images. Here are some detailed tips to help you securely back up your wedding photos:
Use Multiple Storage Solutions: It is advisable to use a combination of different storage options to increase the likelihood of successfully retrieving your photos. Avoid relying solely on your photographer's online gallery, as these are often only available for a specific period. Instead, opt for a mix of physical and digital storage solutions.
The 3-2-1 Rule: This rule is a fail-safe method to protect your data and ensure accessibility for the long term. It suggests having at least three copies of your data, using two different storage mediums, with one copy stored off-site. For example, you can save your photos on a Solid State Drive (SSD) and a cloud service, with an additional copy stored on an external hard drive kept at a different location, such as a family member's home.
Physical Storage Options: External hard drives, USB thumb drives, and Solid State Drives (SSD) are excellent options for physically storing your photos. Keep one copy in a secure location in your home and consider storing another copy off-site to protect against unforeseen events, such as fires or theft.
Cloud Storage: Cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud offer convenient and secure storage solutions. They often provide automatic backups, ensuring your photos are always up to date. Cloud storage is also easily accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, making it a reliable option for safeguarding your images.
Printed Photos and Albums: While technology is fantastic, it can also fail. Printed photos, albums, and framed wall art offer a tangible way to preserve your memories. These physical copies are not dependent on technology and can be passed down through generations. Consider creating a wedding album with archival-quality materials to ensure the longevity of your photos.
Remember, the key to successful backup is redundancy. Don't rely on just one storage solution. By following these tips, you can rest assured that your wedding photos are safe and accessible for years to come.
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Culling and selecting images
The culling and selection of images is a crucial step in the wedding photography editing process. It involves sifting through hundreds or thousands of photos captured during the wedding day and narrowing them down to the best ones for editing and delivery to the client. This step can be time-consuming and tedious, especially for newer photographers who tend to be shutter-happy.
To streamline the culling process, some photographers suggest a two-round cull approach. In the first round, separate the "maybe" photos from the "definitely not" photos, which include blinkers, blurry shots, duplicates, and test shots. This initial round is relatively straightforward and can be done while listening to music, a podcast, or an audiobook.
The second round of culling requires more focus and concentration. Turn off distractions, and consider playing instrumental music to aid in the decision-making process. During this round, the goal is to select the very best images that will be edited and delivered to the client.
Some photographers prefer to cull backwards, starting with the photos from the reception. This approach ensures that the photographer is not already tired when they get to the usually less exciting reception photos. Additionally, photographers tend to take a handful of the same shot, often getting the lighting right in the first two or three shots, so starting with the reception means beginning with the best pictures first.
The time spent on culling can vary, with some photographers aiming to complete it in about an hour, while others may take an hour and a half or more. It is important to find a culling workflow that suits one's style and helps to efficiently select the best images for editing.
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Frequently asked questions
The time it takes to edit wedding photos varies. It depends on the photographer's style, schedule, and workload. The editing process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
There are several reasons why it might take a while to receive your wedding photos. Firstly, photographers often have other shoots and edits to work on, causing a backlog. Secondly, the editing process itself is time-consuming, especially when extensive Photoshopping is required or when dealing with challenging lighting and colour conditions.
The amount of editing done to wedding photos varies depending on the photographer's style and preferences. Some photographers may only apply basic corrections and enhancements, while others may use Photoshop to create a signature look or make fine adjustments.
Yes, it is possible to expedite the editing process by outsourcing to editors or using presets and formulas. However, it is important to manage expectations, as editing thousands of photos takes time, and photographers want to ensure they deliver a high-quality, consistent gallery.
