Retuszu

Retuszu, or retouching, is a set of image-editing practices aimed at improving or altering the appearance of a photograph or digital image. In Polish usage, retusz refers to the process, and retuszu is its inflected form. The practice covers cosmetic corrections, restoration, and artistic compositing, and it is applied across portraits, fashion, advertising, and archival photography to adjust tone, color, and detail.

Common techniques include color and exposure correction, blemish and scar removal, skin smoothing, teeth whitening, and eyelash or makeup enhancement. More advanced work involves shaping features, removing distractions, background clean-up, and creating composites. Digital retouching generally relies on non-destructive workflows using layers and masks, with methods such as frequency separation for skin texture, dodging and burning for light control, cloning or healing brushes for texture removal, content-aware fills, sharpening, and noise reduction.

Tools and workflows: Professional retouching typically uses software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, as well as alternatives such as GIMP or Affinity Photo. AI-assisted and automated tools have expanded capabilities, enabling rapid edits, but often require careful judgment to avoid unnatural results.

Ethics and standards: Retouching raises questions about realism and authenticity. In journalism and documentary contexts, strict guidelines limit augmentation and require disclosure; in commercial media, transparency varies by publication and region. Increasing awareness and professional guidelines encourage responsible retouching, with emphasis on preserving subject dignity and avoiding deceptive alteration.

History and impact: Retouching originated in early photographic practice and progressed with airbrushing in print media. The digital era, beginning in the 1990s, transformed the speed and scope of retuszu, especially in fashion and advertising, prompting ongoing discussion about representation and integrity.