Top Ten Tips For Real Estate Photo Editing Services to Enhance Property Selling

 No one wants to buy a property if the advertisement or listing does not include high-quality images that give the viewer a complete tour of the property. Potential buyers have to rely on images to narrow down the list of possibilities when they are looking for a home. 

It is no surprise that real estate photography is one of the most lucrative businesses since amazing photographs are one of the sure-fire ways to sell your property quickly on the internet. Here are the top ten tips used in professional photo editing services that can improve your chances of selling your property.

1. Keep it natural: People prefer images that don't look obviously edited, and in the case of real estate photos, they are less likely to trust the source if they think it’s too altered. Avoid over saturating or making extreme color correction edits and only make casual edits. 

2. Hue & Saturation: You can make slight adjustments to hue and saturation to produce subtle differences. This can enhance the overall color and vibrancy of images. 

3. Clarity: Blurry photographers make it impossible to see details in real estate images. You can adjust the clarity by manipulating the black and white tones to add depth and brightness. 

4. Composition: Every photograph is made up of different elements that contribute to its overall composition. By leveraging this in real estate photography, you can arrange them to produce a better visual effect.

5. Angles & Framing: Even though you can adjust the angles of the image in post-production, it is important to know which perspective would be best during photography. Clients rely on images to give them a sense of the space and scenery, so shoot and frame your photos accordingly. 

6. Sky Replacement: No one likes to look at a gloomy sky that makes the house in the image appear haunted. You can avail of real estate photo editing services to get bright skies and lovely clouds to improve the aesthetics of the image, even when the weather does not cooperate.

7. Levels: It is a tool in Photoshop that you can use to adjust the brightness, contrast, and tonal range of an image. To make adjustments, select a point on the histogram, stretch and release when you get the desired result. 

8. Cropping: When you take a wide shot, you get a lot of unwanted elements in an image. To highlight only the property you want to focus the viewer’s attention on, you can easily crop the image to remove other structures from the frame.

9. Balance the grid: Sometimes, the photo may appear to be titled or crooked. You can position elements properly by using a grid to line up all horizontal and vertical aspects of an image.

10. Color Correction: If you solely rely on natural lighting to click the photographs, most likely, the shadows will be prominent in some areas making it difficult to see the image. Color-correction can help you brighten up the image and make a remarkable difference which increases the aesthetic appeal.

Often, real estate agents have to rely on photo editing since they want to upload better quality images in a cost-effective manner. A photo editing agency can help improve the overall style and quality of the images in a fraction of the time. You can reach out to us at Clipixie and easily upload your images to get professional results.

5 Tips Every Photo Retouching Agency Uses To Get Jaw-Dropping Results

No matter how good your camera is, sometimes even the best photography equipment can result in images that need a bit of retouching. Unlike editing, retouching retains the major aspects of the original image and only aims to enhance the quality without giving it an edited appearance. Before you start searching for “photo retouching agency near me” to choose an agency, go through these 5 expert tips that will make every retouching task easier.

1. Remove The Background

Use the healing brush or dodge and burn tool to remove any distractions from the background and get a more plain, uniform backdrop. The healing brush allows you to modify the background texture without changing the tone. To alter the luminosity, change two layers of the curve and use the brush where you need to apply the dodge and burn tool.

You can avail expert photo editing services for more complex background removal since the background of the image, particularly in product photography, should not distract the viewer’s focus from the subject. Any defects or objects in the background that divert the customer's attention from the product need to be removed.

2. Retouch Skin In Moderation

Skin retouching is one of the foremost applications of photo retouching services. However, even experts sometimes accidentally overdo the retouching, which gives the skin an unnaturally flawless appearance. 

While generally retouching is used to remove spots, blemishes, under-eye bags, and wrinkles to smoothen out the skin and produce a more aesthetic appeal to the final image, excessive use of retouching tools makes the skin look artificial and less appealing. 

3. Remove Wrinkles From Clothing

A lot of the viewer’s focus will undoubtedly be on the clothing for apparel product photography. Sometimes the clothes get wrinkled out during photography, which can be easily removed during the post-production process. 

To “iron” out the clothing and remove wrinkles from apparel products in images, use the healing brush, the spot healing brush, or the patch tool. Frequency distinction is another method used in image editing services, a non-destructive way of retouching clothing to remove any creases or fold marks and soften bunched-up clothing to create soft silhouettes.

4. Get Rid Of Stray Hairs

Flyaway strands of hair can obstruct a person’s view of the model in images and are generally considered distracting. It is not unusual to retouch strands of hair that get separated and need to be removed to give the final image a professional and aesthetically appealing look. 

Selection edge methods such as clipping masks and image masking with contrast sliders and feathering are used to fix flyaways. While it may be unavoidable when the photographer is taking the shots, it needs to be removed to result in a more refined look, particularly for high-end fashion photography.

5. Work With Adjustment Layer

When you are making changes to your images, never change the context layer and always create a duplicate layer before you start editing to keep your original unaffected by any changes. It might seem like a lot of work when you need to make quick changes, but it will be worth it if you change your mind about the edits. 

If you hire a professional photo editing agency, they opt to make non-destructive adjustments for greater control and flexibility over image edits. For contrasting luminosity, adjustment layers make a huge difference to attain the best lighting style for your image. 

Everyday images you see around yourself are more likely to be edited than not. Cameras don't capture as our eyes do, so images undergo an intensive post-production process that includes skin smoothening, makeup retouching, hair removal, and even background removal to look flawlessly perfect. If you require the help of an expert, get in touch with us at Clipixie, a professional photo retouching agency in India.

12 Trends, Tricks and Tips For Wedding & Event Photography in 2021

 All of us are trying to cope in a world that is still recovering from the pandemic. For those who found love during this time, trying to make it official was one of the many challenges during the past few years. But now, weddings are gradually appearing again in the limelight, creating new and unique photography and photo editing trends in 2021.

Let's go through some of the styles, tips and trends for wedding photography this year, everything from which you need to know if you're the photographer, the lucky couple or even the planner. 

Wedding Photography Styles

Event photo editing can be incredibly time-consuming, so you need to determine what style of photography you will adopt before the event to make things easier. Discuss it with the couple and show them some samples to ensure they like your chosen style before you help them perfectly capture their special day. Here are some suggested wedding photography styles that you can consider: 

• Portraits: Portrait photography aims towards capturing the personality of the subject, which may be an individual or a group of people, by using adequate lighting, backdrops, and poses. It may be artistic or clinical, and this versatility is why portraiture style was once the classic choice of wedding photography, although it might seem a little outdated now. Still, it is good to get a few portraits of the bride and groom, even if you keep the wedding photography poses modern unless requested otherwise. 

• Photojournalism: Photojournalism is all about taking candid, spontaneous images that show people in action. Some might consider it chaotic, but this style of photography captures reactions, emotions, and moods while playing with perspectives. Many brides and grooms love the storytelling aspect of this style and choose to have their moments captured like this. You can appreciate the authenticity of the candid images of the couple and the guests during the event. 

• Documentary photography: A documentary photography style is similar to photojournalism, but it provides a rather straightforward perspective of the event. Along with spontaneous images, the photographer takes wide-angle shots to document every aspect of the wedding that makes it memorable, taking care not to miss a single moment. 

• Artistic Photography: Many of the brides and grooms like the serene aesthetic offered by artistic photography. Since this style angles more towards a dramatic result achieved by manipulating lights and shadows, couples get a chance to express their love in this beautiful photographic style. It will be up to the photographer to leverage the light and shadow in the surroundings to achieve spectacular shots.

Tips and Trends for Wedding Photography

1. Masked Photos: It's instinctive for photographers to want to perfectly capture even the tiniest detail, whether it’s the veil, the bridesmaids' dresses, the groom's bow tie. While photographing couples and guests wearing masks was a necessity in 2020, it will remain so and keep trending in 2021. 

Instead of trying to get rid of it during shots and until we know for sure that everyone is safe from infection, couples and guests may still want to wear masks, and most likely, they'll be wearing a mask that matches their attire, which will be a detail worth capturing.

2. Adding Props: Props are always fun, no matter what year it is. Whether it's the bridesmaids holding frames or the groomsmen with umbrellas, props allow you to be creative with your photos. Sometimes they even add natural lighting to your photographs, like with sparklers and sky lanterns. 

Most couples and bridal parties make use of props such as photo booths to add an element of fun. It can lead to some pretty amazing candid images when guests explore different props. This is a trend that will continue in 2021 but remember, props evolve every year.

3. First-Look Photos: First-look moments are always capture-worthy. The first glimpse that the couple gets of each other is of incredible significance, so be sure to capture that- it never gets old. 

This intimate moment typically makes for an opportunity to capture a photo fueled with emotions, and it gives the couple some time together before the ceremony to compose themselves. Because of their importance, some even hire a photo editing agency to speed up delivery. This is one of the timeless trends that will continue in 2021.

4. Bridal Party: In the last few years, couples faced many additional challenges while planning their wedding during the pandemic. This meant a limited guest list and virtual or long-distance relationships and friendships. 

The size of the bridal parties also shrunk, but since bridal parties are responsible for helping the bride and groom to get ready, it provides the perfect opportunity for some pre-wedding goofiness. It allows the bride and groom to find moments of joy, comfort and silliness on their big day, so bridal parties will be back in 2021.

5. Family Pictures: Family photos are more of a tradition than a trend for events like weddings. Many families have been forced to live apart in the last year, and in addition to reduced wedding guest lists, some families couldn't join in celebrations either. 

This year is expected to be a safer time for get-togethers, which means we might see family groups gathering again at weddings, which give couples the chance to celebrate their special day with them. Photographers will be asked to capture more family photos at weddings because people want to cherish the time spent with their families.

6. Virtual Guests: Virtual weddings were one of the biggest new wedding trends in 2020 since long distances and COVID restrictions kept people apart. It keeps wedding photographers more focused on the couple and their small group of guests in attendance. 

However, it also meant photographers had to get really creative to capture the not physically present guests at the venue. In all likelihood, guests will continue attending weddings virtually, so thinking up creative techniques to capture them may turn out to be one of the challenges and another photography trend that emerges in 2021.

7. Stop Motion: Stop motion is an animation technique that clubs multiple shots to a single video with background music of your choice. It is similar to time-lapse in that you're taking a series of individual images at a certain interval. But instead of shooting something that's moving by itself, you're moving the subject itself and animating it. 

While creating this, the ones in charge of the video should be skilled enough to execute it, so choose them wisely. 

8. Same-Day Edits: A lot of time and effort is spent to make everything perfect, so the couple deserves to get photographed from every angle possible. You can ask your photographer and even videographer even if they offer same-day photo editing services, since many couples wish to display some sweet moments of their wedding during the reception or in other ceremonies it is an important occasion, and it can be quite an emotional one as well. 

9. Pre-wedding Photoshoot: Pre-wedding shoots are one of the latest trends. Choose your spot, dress up and click some amazing pictures with your loved one before your wedding. Some even hire a professional photographer to capture their engagement to document that special moment. It allows couples to spend time together to cherish the moments before the big day.

10. Destination Wedding: Destination weddings are a dream for every couple. Flying to a beautiful location to fulfil a fairy tale wedding has quickly become all the rage. Instead of relying on a well-decorated venue and wedding photo editing skills, you get to capture the essence and richness of exquisite locations while hosting your special day in a beautiful spot.

11. Drone Photography: This is perfect for those who dream of a dramatic rustic wedding. Drone photography helps you capture all the special moments without missing a single one. Some certain pros and cons come along with flying a drone during a wedding, but they produce fantastic results, which is why they're among the top trends this year.

12. Smoke Bombs: One of the more exciting and innovative ideas in wedding photography is smoke bombs. These special props can enhance photographs by providing a smoke effect of the color of your choice. They can produce cool candid photos with some preparation since smoke bombs can last for about a minute.

Proper preparation before the big day is necessary for the event's success and capturing some unforgettable moments. Ensure you get a copy of the wedding itinerary, so you know exactly how to capture the photos you want without disrupting the event itself or losing time. Whether you are a happy couple or a photographer under a tight schedule, you can get your photos edited faster while ensuring the best quality with Clipxie, a photo editing agency in India.

How Much Does It Actually Cost To Outsource Photo Editing Services?

 Let’s say you are looking for someone for product image editing. But how will you evaluate if you are paying the right price for that service? A lot goes into editing, and different vendors employ different pricing structures to calculate the cost of their editing services. Therefore, you need to understand which factors contribute to the cost and how the prices are structured to choose the best option.

How is the editing pricing determined?

• Labor Costs: The payment will largely depend on the skill and the level of experience. Low-level skills include basic edits like getting rid of blemishes or background retouching, while advanced editing involves image transformations and other complex forms of retouching. Vendor location also matters since companies or freelancers who reside in cities with a lower cost of living will be more affordable. 

• Tools: The equipment and software used by the contractor also matter. Experts who use specialized or more sophisticated tools to deliver the best results will likely charge more than those who use the basic software.  

• Complexity: While image editing images might sound simple, it involves a lot of work- both time and effort, in reality. Depending on the type of photo retouching services you require and the nature of the edits, the time and the skills necessary to finish the project can vary. 

Simple tasks like getting rid of the background or removing small smudges cost considerably less than more complicated work like placing the subject in another background or combining different images. Products with simple shapes and sharp, clear boundaries are easier to edit than fuzzy products like stuffed animals or objects that blend into the background.

• Turnaround Time: Faster delivery will require a higher charge if you need the edits within a few hours or days. While experts have the skill to ensure that accuracy remains and quality is not compromised, they charge extra if the work has a tight deadline. Some photo editing agencies operate 24/7, so no matter your time zone, they’re able to provide services quickly. 

• Volume: Some vendors offer low prices on bulk orders, and you may end up paying less per photo when you place large orders. So if you have high-volume projects, you can inquire about any available discounts depending on the number of images you need to get edited. 

Different Pricing Structures for Photo Editing Services

1. Pay-as-you-go Model

In this model, you will be charged on a per-project or per-photo basis. Once you have given a brief about the work, the contractor will set the fee and get back to you. 

Pros

• Transparency 

• Pay according to the project

• No billing surprises

• Scale your budget based on your need

Cons

• Hard to keep track of all projects 

• Not ideal for ongoing work 

• Possibility of multiple billings in a month 

2. Monthly Subscription

For a monthly subscription, you will be charged a fixed fee for your retouching needs as long as they fit whichever subscription “plan” you choose.

Pros

• Predictability

• Ideal for large projects

• No repeated order placements

Cons

• Less flexibility

• The number of projects is included

• Pay the same, with or without a subscription

3. Hourly Rates

Some vendors charge by the hour, and once you have agreed on a rate, they send you an invoice based on the number of hours they have worked.  

Pros

• Allows project flexibility 

• Easy to change the scope of work 

• No limit to work and edits

Cons

• Unpredictable pricing 

• The final cost is known after a project is done

• Difficult to budget

Outsourcing is time-saving and cost-effective if you can find the right agency that provides professional services for the best value. If you are looking for an agency for background cleanup, ghost mannequins, image retouching, and other editing services, you can get in touch with us. 

How Much Does It Actually Cost To Outsource Photo Editing Services?

How To Avoid 8 Common Mistakes Made In Jewelry Product Photography

 Jewelry comes in all shapes and sizes, from chunky boho statements to delicate shiny pieces. So, your method for every jewelry range you shoot will be different. Every detail, including lighting, background, and styling, will have to be adjusted accordingly. Let’s take a look at the most common photography mistakes you need to avoid. These mistakes are often overlooked during photography, but experts from a reliable photo editing agency can easily correct them.

1. Smudged or unpolished jewelry: A good camera and proper lighting can pick up many details, no matter how insignificant they might seem to be. It can affect the final shot and require more editing time or even a reshoot in rare cases. Ensure all smudges, dust particles, and even scratches on your jewelry are polished off before you get started. 

2. Inconsistent shots: To maintain consistency in all your shoots, set guidelines before the shoot on how best to capture all the product’s features and decide which camera setting will work best with the background and the lighting. It will also help if any reshoots need to be done and save time.

3. Flashy backgrounds: While you may be tempted to add a pop of colour to the background to make the picture more appealing, they can take away the focus from your product. Keeping the background minimalistic and plain is best for eCommerce websites, where customers go through many products, and a distracting background might make them skip yours.

4. Extra props: Less is always more, especially when displaying your product on an eCommerce platform. Props are good for editorial work but not for product photography. They serve as a distraction from the subject when you need to keep the viewers focused on your product. 

5. Reflective products: Photographing jewelry can be difficult since they are almost always shiny. It can cause light to reflect and scatter, affecting the final shot. Although decent photo editing services can remove the distracting shine, you can remedy this by placing your jewelry on a steady table. Have large studio lights on either side of it and diffuse them with umbrellas, and hang a long roll of plain white paper behind and underneath your product to the bottom of your camera lens. It can help block off reflections from the foreground, reflect more light onto the jewelry, and cast a softer glow. 

6. Unsteady images: Taking shots while hand holding the camera can result in shaky shots. A tripod is a lifesaver in these situations, and it helps you take crisp, professional photos. Mark the tripod’s position and the product so it is easy to replicate shoots on different days.

7. Proper focus: To save post-production time in jewelry photo editing, here are a couple of tips for taking sharp product photos:

• Shoot with single-point autofocus

• Keep your ISO low

• Invest in a high-quality lens

• Use a remote cable release

• Set aperture to f/11 or greater

8. Inaccurate white balance: White balance can make colours appear different in the image than in real life and significantly affect global colors in any image. It can make the image look too cool (more blue tones) or too warm (more orange tones) if it is set incorrectly.

Poorly retouched photos can present a fake image and also lower your customer’s trust with unprofessional images. Invest in jewelry photo editing services that will not disappoint and deliver professional editing that brings the best in your photos. Are you looking for an agency that provides just that? Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive editing services.