Hello all.

Firstly I'd just like to say how fabulous I have found this site to be while just starting out with photo editing.

Last month I used photo editing software for the very first time. I'm currently on a massive learning curve with photoshop 7 and have just finished my first retouch.

I can't help thinking it just looks a bit "unreal" and welcome your comments.

Thanks Tracey

Hi Tracey,

Firstly for a first time attempt it's quite good. Like most things its not what you've done, but how much you've done it that's the key.

The colours are a little too intense, which is what gives it the "unreality" that you perceive. A little lighter touch would have been better.

I've had a quick play with your original picture. I've made no attempt to smooth out skin or anything like that, just to improve the lighting a touch. I've also replaced the sky, which was a bit too uninteresting.

Hello and welcome Trace,
Photoshop is a huge program to learn, you will find you will always be learning. (I know I am). I learned a lot from this form, and the tutorials here.

I agree with Gary, you did a great job for your first retouch.

I had a go at the happy couple. Mostly I used the adjustment layers, color, curves, saturation and all at very low minimal changes. Then on the adjustment layer I could paint out what I didn't want adjusted.

Good luck and have fun playing with photoshop
Cathy