Before & after

6 Before & Afters: What Really Changes in a High-End Retouch

By Pulak Mondal6 min readBridal · Fashion · Beauty · Fitness

People often ask what “high-end retouching” actually means. The honest answer: lots of small decisions you should not notice. Drag the sliders below to compare each original with the final image, and read what changed and what I deliberately left alone.

1. Bridal portrait: new colour, new location

BEFOREAFTER

What changed

• Blouse colour changed from pink to a rich bridal red, keeping every sequin and the gold embroidery intact.
• The foggy, empty beach was replaced with a soft mountain scene and a low, glowing sun.
• The person in the background was removed.
• Warm golden light was painted across the face, veil and jewellery to match the new sun.
• Skin was evened out with dodge & burn, keeping natural texture.

2. Fashion editorial: sunlit and polished

BEFOREAFTER

What changed

• A clean editorial colour grade with deeper blacks in the dress and a cooler stone wall.
• Skin on the legs and arms smoothed and evened, without losing shape or muscle definition.
• Marks and stains on the steps and wall cleaned up.
• Highlights on the hair and face lifted to bring the eye to the model.

3. Sport beauty: dewy skin, studio blue

BEFOREAFTER

What changed

• The grey background was regraded to a deep studio blue.
• Dodge & burn to sculpt the cheekbones, collarbones and shoulder.
• The “sweat” shine was kept on purpose. It is the point of the shot, so it was refined, not removed.
• Flyaway hairs were tidied around the face, but the messy bun keeps its character.

4. Fitness on the rooftop: cinematic light

BEFOREAFTER

What changed

• A cinematic teal sky with warm sunlight on the skin, the classic blue-orange pairing.
• Muscle definition gently enhanced with dodge & burn, staying true to the athlete's body.
• Reflections and smudges on the glass railing cleaned up.
• Even skin tone across arms, shoulders and stomach.

5. Smoky-eye beauty: colour with intent

BEFOREAFTER

What changed

• Lips deepened from plum to a matte brick red, and the flat black background replaced with a soft, textured dark backdrop.
• Want to see the same face graded in teal and red? It is in Colour Harmony in Retouching.
• Hair smoothed into one clean shape, with stray flyaways removed.
• Eye make-up refined into a warmer brown smoky eye.

What I left alone

The freckles, the moles and the small scar on the forehead. They are part of her face. High-end retouching cleans and shapes the image. It does not erase the person.

6. Beauty portrait: even tone, bold colour

BEFOREAFTER

What changed

• The beige backdrop replaced with a clean sky blue, which makes the warm skin glow.
• Small blemishes on the forehead and cheeks removed; skin texture and pores kept.
• Skin tone evened out so the face, neck and shoulder match.
• Lips given a richer, glossier berry colour.
• The yellow flowers brightened to tie in with the new background.

What every BYPULAK retouch includes