9 key differences between Photo Retouching and Image Editing

Photo retouching and image editing are generally used interchangeably, often in photography. However, the two terms are not synonyms, and there exist several key differences between them.

In general, image editing refers to processes that are global in scope and target the entire image as a whole. Photo retouching, on the other hand, refers to more detailed work, generally carried out meticulously by hand using a wide variety of tools and brushes, targeting a specific area of an image.

Here are 9 key differences between these two widely confused terms.

1. As said above, the most important difference between the two is the scope. Changing global settings bring about a broad range of adjustments targeted to an entire image. Retouching targets specific areas and is localized in scope.
2. While the former changes the overall look and feel of the image, the latter revolves around removal of imperfections and enhancement of specific areas in an image.
3. Image editing involves technical adjustments that are objective in nature and look the same across all images in a group. Retouching, on the other hand, is more a personal statement that varies from image to image.
4. Making technical adjustments or changing global setting parameters are simple, fast and easy to carry out whereas working with tools and brushes require more skill and time and are difficult to carry out due to detailed work.
5. Image editing changes overall quality of the image, thus targeting almost all pixels of the image concerned. Photo retouching, on the other hand, targets a very small group of pixels at a time.
6. An image is edited to prepare it for its final use, such as uploading to an online store. Working at a finer level to enhance an image’s aesthetic appeal results into creation of a specific effect.
7. A photographer usually carries out editing process to correct photographic errors. The result of a retouching process mimics the artistic vision of the retoucher.
8. Some of the popular examples of image editing include culling, cropping, resizing, color correction, white balance, highlights and shadows, contrast adjustments, straightening, sharpening, noise reduction, lighting/exposure correction and color temperature adjustments. On the other hand, the examples of photo retouching include skin smoothing, hair retouching, teeth brightening, removal of blemishes and unsightly objects, and also image manipulation and compositing.
9. Some of the major tools and techniques for image editing include crop tool, image size, export, curves, and hue and saturation. The photo retouching tools and techniques include a variety of brushes, and various selection and masking tools.