Retouch Portfolio Update with Automotive Work

I added a few new photos that I mentioned in my previous article about buying a MacBook Pro in Phu Quoc.

While I was writing that piece, it suddenly hit me that the last time I updated my portfolio was back when I still lived in Germany. And I also realized that “I’ll do it later” usually means never. So I just sat down and updated the Retouch section on the website. Added new work and removed images that had become a bit outdated stylistically.

This time the portfolio includes one real estate image and, of course, automotive projects that I’ve been deeply involved in lately from a post-production and retouching side. There are 9 photographs in total. One-two photo from each project. Modern electric cars, luxury vehicles, and collectible BMW classics (hello Munich). All of this material has already gone into magazines and advertising.

Automotive retouching, in general, is a tricky thing. It’s very easy to overdo it. Make it too glossy (which I can do and enjoy), too clean, or too “advertising-like”. Clients usually ask for something clean and neat, but not overly commercial. With flares and reflections that seem distracting, but shouldn’t actually be removed. In the end, the task is both simple and complicated at the same time: to create an advertising image that doesn’t look like advertising.

For some images, I also wanted a subtle reference to video games. Because those same boys have grown up, and it’s probably time for them to start making the right choices 🙂

That’s why in these works the focus is on reflections, highlights, contrast, color, and body shape. So the car in the frame doesn’t feel too heavy, but feels real and confidently grounded.

I also removed some older images from the portfolio on purpose. Over time, you start looking at your own work more realistically. A portfolio is not an archive, it’s a showcase. And the showcase should reflect the work that feels relevant to you right now.

As a result, the Retouch section has become cleaner and, in my opinion, more professional. It better reflects what I’m doing in post-production today and the level of result I deliver for the commercial projects I work on as a retoucher.

I work with automotive, real estate, architecture, lifestyle and commercial photography, helping images reach a polished, confident, publication-ready level without losing their character. If you need retouching that feels precise, controlled and visually honest — not overproduced — we’ll speak the same language.

Explore the Retouch section and see how I work:
https://stelmakh.com/retouch

If you’re looking for a retoucher who understands both aesthetics and commercial requirements, feel free to get in touch.