Outsourcing Your Photo Editing? Here’s How to Find the Best Options

There was a time when the darkroom was an adjunct of photography. With digital photography, the physical darkroom was replaced by Photoshop digital darkroom. Photoshop is a versatile tool you can use to create dazzling images, composite photos, touch up photos and carry out a variety of enhancements. Photoshop is also complex and it has a rather steep learning curve. Not all photographers can become accomplished by Photoshop artists. You may be so busy with assignments that you will hardly have the time to spend on digital image editing. It is better to outsource photo editing. The question is how do you find one competent enough to transform your visualization into a finished image? There are several ways.

Post your requirements on freelance sites

This could apparently be one of the best ways to engage individuals who specialize in Photoshop image editing services. Image editing varies. It could involve:

• Making a cutout of the subject and placing it against a background.
• Enhancing and touching up a photo, so commonly required in fashion model shoots
• Product photography – simpler since products have a well-defined geometry
• Wedding photography image editing and enhancements
• Complex layering, composites, and enhancements to create stunning visuals
• Converting black and white images to color and restoration work
• Vector-raster conversions, PSD to HTML conversions, GIF creations, editing filmstrips

You post your requirement. You receive offers from those who are working with Photoshop digital image editing. Then you follow a process of selection that involves:

• Asking for samples of work done and possibly, referrals
• Send an image across for rework according to your instructions and see if it “turns out all right”
• Fix rate
• Start work

Pros

One advantage of such freelance sites is that you can outsource photo editing to anyone anywhere in the world.

• You can make contact with those who are masters of their trade and you can really have someone who is expert enough to do just what you want.
• You can get the best rate
• You build up a team of Photoshop editors with specialization in various techniques so that you can get just about any type of image editing done.

Cons

• It is not as easy as it sounds to find genuine experts. You could get inquiries from those who are just starting with Photoshop or are not competent enough to carry out a task to professional standards.
• A person may not have a portfolio to show and expects you to take him on trust. He may not be able to provide before-after images.
• You could pay a higher rate than you expected.
• Delivery may not be made in time.
• Your work may require precise color matching (as happens in product photography) and they have no idea about it.
• Someone may just refuse to do any further work and you have to search all over again.
• There may be scamsters.

Google it!

This is the obvious thing to do. Search google using various keywords like photo editing services, photo editors, digital image editors, Photoshop services, Photoshop image editors, Photoshop creative editors and the like. You will get results showing hundreds of such outsourced Photoshop image editing service providers. You start the process by contacting them, viewing their website and negotiating rates.

Pros

• If you choose Photoshop outsourced service provider companies you know you are dealing with someone who is established and has built up a reputation and standing.
• Such image editing services usually have a team of experienced professionals chosen for their skills in various digital photo editing areas. You can be sure that they will be able to meet various needs.
• They can be dependable and reliable.
• If you have emergency work or higher than normal volume, such outsourced image editing services can put a team to work to ensure fast delivery.
• Communication is better and so is support.

Cons

• You could pay a higher rate for each image. Over time it can add up to a substantial amount.
• You may not have security and confidentiality
• You do not know you are dealing with a socially responsible company
• They may be operating sweatshops and paying their employees meager amounts
• Searching google is no guarantee that you will find the company that is capable of doing precisely the type of photo editing you want.

Referrals

If you are into photography then you may know other photographers. They may be making use of outsourced image editing or photo editing services. They may be able to refer such service providers to you.  Since they come recommended you may not have much to worry about as regards quality of service. The downside is that your photographer friend may be into something different like wedding or product photography. If that is so and your needs are different then you have a mismatch on your hands.

Speed, Security, Safety

• These are essential when you outsource photo editing. You need speed because you are working to tight deadlines and cannot wait for a week. You need it within 24 hours.
• Security is vital because you are probably handling a client’s work where security and confidentiality are vital. You must have a photo editor who values security and confidentiality and will never misuse photos sent to him for editing.
• Safety is essential for the same reason. If someone has a secure connection you can have more peace of mind.

Competence, Compatibility, Cost

• These are the 3Cs of photo outsourcing selection. The person must be competent to the extent that rework may not be required or, if required, it may be only once. High megapixel high-resolution images can be 10Mb or more in size and if you are sending across a dozen or more such photos it consumes bandwidth as well as time. A competent editor will be able to get it right the first time. It also saves you headaches if he does.
• Compatibility is important for long term relationships. If both of you are on the same page then your association will last.
• Cost is not to be underestimated. Low cost could usually mean low quality. Be prepared to pay a decent amount for professional services.

Minor but significant

• If everything goes right and you do find an image editor who does precisely what you want then check payment.
• Payments are usually made by bank wire transfer, card transfer or paypal. Your service provider should settle for anyone without much demur.
• If tax is involved then make it clear to him that you will deduct taxes. If he has to charge tax in his invoice, get this clarified so both of you are not unpleasantly surprised.

Do’s

When you are outsourcing photo editing there are a few do’s to keep in mind:

• Check references and testimonials
• Send a sample work and see how expertly the editor does it.
• Define the scope of work and make clear that you will ask for rework until satisfied. Otherwise, it leads to dispute and dissatisfaction and the outsourced editor may simply refuse to proceed. You will be stuck.
• Check how many images the editor can process in a day.

Don’ts

• You will find people offering services that are not exactly in line with what you need with the promise that they will learn soon and match your needs. Ignore them. You are running a business.
• Do not pick the cheapest. It is not necessarily the best.
• Do try to avoid individuals and pick a company specializing in Photoshop editing services since they have employees and will always deliver work in time. Even if one employee is absent there are others to handle the work.
• Do not select those who ask for advance payment.

You must outsource since you are busy with more paying professional photo assignments or with design and layout services. Photoshop is not an easy tool. It requires years of study and practice to be expert at image editing and only a few possess such skills. Even you may not have it so it is better to outsource. Before you outsource, read and follow the above and you could possibly find it useful in the selection process.