While I'd already been retouching for some time...my true initiation into "fearless" retouching came with a bit of encouragement from Robert Steinberg - about thirty years ago...so an approximation of dialogue: JL (poised above a hard-earned, one of a kind LF negative...with a razor knife): "Are you kidding me, you want me to do what?" RS: "Just cut the scratch - gently - right down the middle...if you get it right - it will disappear - trust me!" JL: "What happens if I miss?" RS: "Don't miss!"