Hi all. Firstly i would just like to say that this is one hell of a forum, with a wealth of information etc.

okay to my point. I am pretty okay in CS3, and know that to remove the blemishes etc i can use the healing brush tool. however i would like to give the skin that magazine look. and really dont know what to do. i have looked on one link by globalimages on how to do so, but i wasn't happy with the result i came up with. could someone please tell me how or point me in the right direction. i will then upload the after shot once i have worked it out. Oh, the image isnt a masterpiece as i was just taking a pic to practice on. thanks in advance everyone!

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk65/greg-andrew74/IMG_3491.jpg

I think if you search the forums on "skin" you will find tons of info. It's been discussed since forever.

thanks swampy... i am on it now... cheers ;)

While practice will make perfect you must keep in mind the initial file quality. You aren't going to get magazine quality from a consumer dslr, poorly lit, exposed image.

Also, if you look around at the work here posted for critique using the correct technique you will still see much lacking. Methods alone will not get you great skin if you don't first learn to see.

All the above plus a good makeup artist will help also.

cheers everyone... really appreciate the tips.. please critique on my attempt.. i am open to hear where i have gone wrong and what else i should do... thanks again ;)

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk65/greg-andrew74/a3491.jpg