I want to be an image retoucher. What's the best route into the industry?

Answer 1

First I would really see if this is something that you want to do and if you have the patience to do it all day long. It most case you don't have to have a degree to do this type of work. If a company decides to hire you they will want to see a portfolio but in this case a before and after pictures.

The local economy will dictate how much you will get paid, small town little money, big town more money more diverse clientele.

You could also set up your own shop but you will have to buy a good scanner to scan the original and then you can:

1. Buy a high end printer $$$$ or 2. Find a good printing source that will print exactly what you request.

Here is a website for you to look at:

http://www.retouchpro.com/

Hope this helps,
Kevin

Answer 2

Find people who do custom photo work. These days there has got to be a great dichotomy between the people from the old generation that did physical hand retouching with brushes and paint and people of the new generation that do it on digital computer screens before printing.

Answer 3

I would first get your hands on the software before you go looking for jobs. I presume all the companies use the same software. Familiar yourself with the software so when it comes to employ you, you will be able to get on with work straight away and get paid straight away without not getting paid for a couple of weeks whilst you learn the software.

It would be easier if you knew someone in that industry of jobs, but if you don't don't worry.
This website is all over the UK http://jobsearch.monster.co.uk/jobsearch.asp?cy=uk&sq=not%2B%2527work%2Bat%2Bhome%2527&sort=rv&vw=d&q=image+retoucher&fn=&lid=
so if you want a job close to where you live enter in a place name on the link as well.

Good Luck!
Hoodoo

Answer 4

Art with an emphasis on photography or graphic design...or get those skills on your own, it kind of depends on where you are and whether you are a dime a dozen there.

While you are gaining your experience, you might be sweeping floors, scrubbing toilets, or serving drinks to people in the fashion or magazine world. Get yourself immersed in the culture of where image retouchers work and learn all the aspects of the trade, where your job fits in that world, how all related machines work, and who you need to know to get that job.