hi everyone,

thi is my first time posting something i made here. I have been photoshopping for some time now, but now im determined to learn how to retouch like a pro. And this seems like the site for that.

so here my first work.
(have some problems with text in Photoshop so right is before and left is after)
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1025/forumah4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


-i smoothened out the skin using byro's tutorial.
-reshaped the nose a little bit
-played around a bit with levels and curves(have to learn how to use them properly)

looking forward to everyones opinion, and tips.

Deigo, just looking at the before and after, I would personally reduce the opacity on the degrunge layer more as the face looks a bit waxy. The increase in the curves/levels has increased the contrast on the shoulder and neck area making the skin on the face out of place compared to the shoulders and chest area which appear otherwise untouched. Overall though, well done

not bad for your first thats for sure....have seen a lot worse :)

I would also reduce the opacity to let some of the original texture come back in, or you could add it back in.

thanks for the tips guys, I just looked at the pic again, and realized your right, the face could use more texture. as for the curves/levels, does any of you have a link to a tutorial that explains how to work with them?

Hi Diego,

You could also have dodged the Irises of her eyes so they stand out a bit more and strengthened the highlight in her right eye. I've added my take on the image but it still needs the lips fixing and a couple of other things. Try and get the photo you are working on into its best state before retouching.

I don't think there is much need for all the black space at the top of the image.

You could minimize the armpit area. My eye keeps going right into it.