So here are 3 retouches ive done. You can all be as honest as possible, i need it, but maske sure if you do say something harsh, you can also tell me a way to correct it. Its nothing special. Just some random Hi-Res pics i wanted to practice on. The one with the glasses, her skin is very blurred, i wanted an almost Doll effect, so the blurring of the skin was intentional.
Thanks for the help you guys, Her's My Flickr page that theyre on:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orgasmikgraphicz/

i really like the first one i like the reflection in the glasses adds realism for me

just my opinion zganie

I'm going to keep this short...
Your skin retouching technique is not appropriate for the type of images you are working with. Regardless of the technique you used, the skin has a blurred appearance, and that kills it.

"UrbanGlam" is really nice. The reflection in the glasses was inspired.

I have to agree with Vikki.

I would stop with the blurring and start doing other methods. Dodge n Burn is a nice way to start.

Thanks you guys! im going have to study the dodge and burn method a bit more. I tried one, but i didnt put much into it so it ended up looking bad.

For the Urban glam idea. I did want that look to the skin, so i went into a more extreme blurred look. But for the other two, i agree that they need to be a bit more realistic when it comes to the skin. Thanks, More comments would be nice.

If you're going for, what I like to call, the "ultra fake" look, then it works. However, if you wanted to make it look like a real person, with real skin texture, and real lips, then I don't think that it works. To reiterate what most people have been saying, you certainly need to consider an alternate method rather then blurring everything right out. It looks good, but I'm not certain if that was the feel you were going for.

If you're going for, what I like to call, the "ultra fake" look, then it works. However, if you wanted to make it look like a real person, with real skin texture, and real lips, then I don't think that it works. To reiterate what most people have been saying, you certainly need to consider an alternate method rather then blurring everything right out. It looks good, but I'm not certain if that was the feel you were going for.

Nope for the other two, i didnt want the "Ultra fake look"
But i didnt want a plastic doll look on my Urban Glam picture. The idea was sort of barbie-ish.

Hello,
I'm new to this site (today infact!) so I thought I'd better get stuck in.
Try not to blur because really its not retouching, its just a destructive method. Using the healing brush is more natural and won't get rid of the skins texture. Especially when the models have such great skin anyway.
But if they dont you can use the level adjustment layers to lighten the shadows of pores to make them less noticable and smooth.

Hello,
I'm new to this site (today infact!) so I thought I'd better get stuck in.
Try not to blur because really its not retouching, its just a destructive method. Using the healing brush is more natural and won't get rid of the skins texture. Especially when the models have such great skin anyway.
But if they dont you can use the level adjustment layers to lighten the shadows of pores to make them less noticable and smooth.

Hi Amy,

Welcome to RetouchPro :wavey:

I think there is a time and place to use all methods and also mix those methods to get what you want to achieve. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water :idea:

Thankyou and hello,

I agree, however, blurring isn't usually used for skin for high end retouching, its found a lot in glamour retouching which is generally not as good technically as something like a high fashion shoot.

I just think its good to start with the techniques that can take you places, but blurs can be fun too.

Thanks Amy and Alison.
I agree with both of you guys. I know you understand that i did want the plastic barbie look in my urban glam and i acheived it. But i do understand that i need to work with other ways instead of taking the easy way out. What i usually do is blur the skin and then add all of the texture back in. If it still looks bad i add even more texture. Using the Hi-pass filter.

But lately i have been working with Dodge and burn, just playing around. I'll post my works in a lil while, maybe even today.
But what should i do with dark under eye cirlces... etc. How do i work on those with dodge and burn?

I usually use the healing brush, definitely on a separate layer and carefull otherwise it looks muddy