How do I do this correctly?

My friend's sister had a wedding last year. She hired a low budget (and not very good) photographer so the photos were not that great. My friend wanted to give her sister a nice framed photo of the sister's wedding. She asked me for my help with my photoshop ability. She sent me a photo that she liked of the couple right in the middle of the dance floor. But the background was absolutely horrid (empty tables and other stuff). It is more like a snapshot than a frame-able photo.

So anyway, I cloned out all the background to make it look like they are standing in a big dance hall and added vignette. So all you see is flooring around them. I also cleaned the skin and some other things. They loved it and couldn't believe someone could do what I did! (nice compliment) Now the question, how do I put the before and after photo on my portfolio? I still do not know who the photographer is. I can probably find out. But on the other hand I don't want to put someones name in a bad way (your photos sucked so i have to photochop it). How would you do it?

Thanks!

 

You don't.

 

I would agree with Bitter, better to show off your own photos and 'chop skills of those than do that to someone else...

Of course, being me...I would feel complimented having someone take the time to edit my photos...

 

Aww man.. I really loved what I did . I wish I can share it with you guys.

 

Agreed. And I wouldn't have done what you did in the first place but, maybe that's just me. At the very least I would have made contact with the photographer to get permission or a transfer of rights to his client.

Travis

 

She paid for it and get all the high resolution on a CD. You would not have done what I did? What do you mean? You opened up another subject.

 

So, the client paid for the wedding images and a transfer of copyright or a transfer of reprint rights?

I would not edit someone else's work without their explicit authorization, even if the image is "owned" by a friend. I feel this way because I would NOT want my created works edited by anyone without my approval and consent.

You and everyone else involved may agree that the image is better the way that it was edited but, it wasn't you that created the image in the first place. So it's not your right to edit it the way you see fit.

This may be just my opinion but that's the way I feel about it. Sorry.

Travis

 

Even for personal use? I totally agree if we are putting the photo on the cover of a wedding magazine. Man.. this whole thing is confusing. All right.. i guess I will just leave it alone. It has been printed and hung in their livingroom.

 

Yep, even for personal use. While it is for persoanl use, it is still being displayed and an inaccurate representation of the photographers work.

I think I recall reading some previous posts of yours where you talked about moving into wedding photography, is that correct? As an easy example (assuming you are going into wedding photography) how are you going to treat the very same situation shall it arise from one of your clients? Say you do one of your first gigs for a friend, relative.... you walk in to their house to see that your work has been edited in a cheesey fashion and there it is hanging on the wall in a 16x20 print for everyone to see and associate with you and your work. I'm not saying your edit was cheesey, I have no way of knowing that.

Now, if it wasn't you talking about moving into wedding work, well I guess the same applies for any genre you choose.

I hope I'm not coming off as an ass. Just trying to let you know the unseen consequences.

Travis

 

Travis has a point...better to be safe than sorry...I don't mind my photos being edited by anyone but I also don't have the same views as everyone else...someone may get a little upset...and murder you...just for editing their photo...well, okay...maybe that IS a little extreme...but I wouldn't put it past a human to do so...

 

It seems you have a lot to learn other than photography.
We have the same issues in my industry, it has created fights, very bad feelings and numerous lawsuits.
I am consulted on this topic alot. My answer is always the same. Contact the original person....


I hate to say this, but I see two issues that create this mess, $$$ and/or ego.