First beauty retouching experience

[TrialVersion]

Hello guys,
Here's my first attempt to apply some beauty retouching to a photo of a friend of mine. What I've done:
- general lightness and contrast retouching for the whole photo (levels+curves);
- additional light for the girls face (curves);
- smoothing and partly removed wrinkles;
- removing blemishes and improving skin tone and texture;
- refining her jaw line;
- removing flying hair;
- nose shape correction;
- smoothing her elbows;
- some minor corrections.
The original image is posted here: http://www.irinaloginova.com/original.jpg
The retouched one: http://www.irinaloginova.com/retouched.jpg
I would appreciate any comments and suggestions. Thank you in advance

[Alison]

Hi there - Firstly, I think the image has no focal point, the eye is forever wandering. Perhaps her hands on her hips might have been more appropriate, to bring the subject closer to the camera.

Having said that, you have to create some focus. Obviously the girl in her undies is the focus - used levels adjustment layer (individual channels) - shadow/highlight - curves adjustment layer with mask - selective clour adjustment layer - used multiply blending mode at one point with mask (to darken background) - used neat image - used high pass filter to sharpen with mask to keep the focus on the girl.

That's a lot of stuff to be doing to create a focal point If you took the shot, I would suggest that you look at some magazine images to get an idea for posing etc., If you didn't - suggest it to the person who did

[TrialVersion]

Thank you, Alison. Your comment was really helpful and though it wasn't me who took the picture, I guess I could pay more attention to the focus during the retouching process.

[kombizz]

very nice work
indeed somehow her skin tone got much better.

[byRo]

Originally Posted by Alison

...hands on her hips might have been more appropriate, to bring the subject closer to the camera...

Agreed, the subject here is not grass and trees.

A light background is always just that bit more difficult. You don't have the simple solution of just making the subject lighter and the background darker.

Some focal point tricks:
- Subject in focus, background blurred. (OK,pretty obvious, but your subject was quite "blurry");
- Light subject, dark background. (Not an option here);
- Subject skin-coloured, background other. (In your retouch there was little difference);
- Subject colours saturated, background muted. (Tone down the greens and enhance the skin);
- Crop to the subject. (Get in closer);
- Remove background distractions. (Like the rock to the left).

Having said all that, I'm not sure my version is much better, but I hope it illustrates the points.

Rô

[TrialVersion]

Wow, guys, thank you very much for your valuable advice. I never thought the background here needed much work as well!

[KR1156]

maybe a black & white version, to rid the distracting green?

bring her more into focus overall, just a suggestion.

[TrialVersion]

Thank you, KR1156. Personally I like B&W version but in this case the picture is supposed to be colorful and bright, so I guess I have to study Alison's method. Anyway I'll keep your advice in my mind
I'm sorry for a silly question: what means "to neat the image"?

[AdamZx3]

I'm sorry for a silly question: what means "to neat the image"?

Neat Image is a program used to reduce digital noise (grain) in a digital photo. It blurs the noise out while keeping the details. While this can be an effective tool to reduce noise, some people use it to blur away blemishes. The best way to remove blemishes and naturally smooth the skin is with the clone, healing brush, and dodge and burn tools, though they are far from automatic.