I have been trying to figure out how to remove the darks spots on this persons face.

I was able to smooth the skin (thanks to byro's tutorial), fix some of the color blotches, but the dark blotches are driving me nuts.

Really color blotches and dark blotches are a problem area for me.

Can anyone show me, or point me to a tutorial to help fix these areas?

Thanks.

Use one curve adj later to lighten and a second one to darken

Full both Masks on the curves with black

Now paint in white where you want to lighten or dark using the appropriate curve

Lower opacity on the curve layers until you get the desired result

(do a search for Dodge and Burn in the forums for further details)

Thanks shellby.

I tryed what you said, but it didn't seem to do anything. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

Ok shellby.

I did a search, and found a post you made in another thread about dodging and burning.

I see what you're saying now.

Thanks alot for the help. I think I can get this to work now. :bigthmb:

There are several tutorials on this site(An excellent one by Ro) about removing these blemishes but the technique I like is one mentioned in Katrin Eisman's book vol 3 page 376.

1.) In photoshop copy the image to a new layer use screen blending mode
2.) use G blur on the screen layer ( I used 15)
3.) Copy that layer to a new layer using multiply blending mode
4.) Adjust the opacity of both layers to keep the luminosity about the same.
5.) Select the two blurred layers and select new group from layers to combine these two layers into one group
6.) Place a layer mask on the group to mask out eyes and lips.

Are these so called "dark blotches" not just the result of the lighting on the face. They are shadows created by a "short light" that adds modeling to the face.

Michael

Here is my take on it - took me about 15 mins.

My Try :)

Photoshop. Shellby, Congratulations!... Your site is Online.

I like Phil's procedure... you can always bring back some detail with a noise layer.

Butch

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-retouching/14789-de-grunge-but-skin-still-uneven.html