With the digital age of photography, after effects can be as important as taking the picture. And with amazing advances in post-processing software, like Photoshop, an image can be touched up to astonishing levels – even to a point of being unrecognizable from the starting point.

Limitless possibilities is where some wedding photographers, mostly amateurs but also some seasoned photographers, drop the ball. No doubt, it’s important to utilize some obviously funky effects to a few pictures here and there. But, good wedding photography integrates post-production like a talented wedding make-up practice their craft (ie) even if a significant amount of make-up, it’s subtle and tasteful.

Of course, subtlety and taste are often in the eye of the beholder. So, when it comes to picking the best wedding photography one needs to examine the photographer’s work to assess their use of effects after the fact.

For example, many wedding photographers will use some skin smoothening, especially for the pictures of the bride and groom. This is one of those tools that if overdone looks unflattering (ironically) – like the covers of magazines that have gone so far that the celebrity looks like anime. Conversely, just the right amounts of this effect will only enhance the image. After all, the objective is for the subject to look like the finest version of themselves, not like a mannequin.

Certainly, a whole host of other effects that are employed may seem like a good idea at the time but they end up being passing fads that do not stand the test of time – like bad fashion from decades past. The difference is that bad fashion often makes a comeback, which is rarely the situation with over-zealous post-production.

Save yourself the cringing as you look at the albums twenty-five years on.  The best wedding photographers use post-production software to produce images that accentuate the magic of the day. In other words, see to it that the post-production on your wedding photographs is on the right side of that fine line.  You’ll be glad you did.