1st attempt at D&B

[chloe625]

This is my first attempt at dodge and burn for skin resurfacing. I am still waiting on the book by Eismann so I figured in the mean time I would try this. In this photo all I have used besides D&B is some color correction and the healing brush for larger problems. I think that is it. Oh and I increased contrast a bit. Sorry the picture is not great, I just needed something quick to practice on. Also, is there any way to prevent the areas that have been D&B'd from turning greyish?

My goal was a natural, not-retouched, look. I would appreciate hearing if I accomplished this or not. Thank you, I look forward to your critiques.

[0lBaldy]

If you keep practicing like you are now, I think you are on your way to doing some outstanding retouching in the near future.

There are only a few areas that have faint visible borders (beside the mark you left on the cheek and a couple others) but all and all you are doing great.. maybe lighter and and more layered strokes may help.
Keep up the good work and Practice Cubed!

I took a little peek inside your pictures to see what all you did! You have done a lot more than I first thought so that is a good thing!

[chloe625]

Thanks so much, 0lbaldy . It's very interesting to see all the changes like that, is that something you can do within photoshop? I agree, there is a lot of unevenness and marks especially in the cheek area. I will definitely keep practicing!

[philbach]

Well perhaps my monitor is off, but I thought your excellent retouch had a residual yellow cast. I added a tad of blue to your retouched photo.

[chloe625]

Phil, it looks much better after your color adjustment. Thanks!

[grldlewis]

Nice job!
The Eismann book will show you a lot - including the greying you have. She is one of the best authors out there in my opinion.
Gerry

[TommyO]

cloe625,
Nice work. I also did some comparisons like OlBaldy's and there does appear to be a lot more going on at the pixel level. Did you possibly do more than mentioned above ?
I actually like the overall skin better in the after image, whatever was done. It seems to have added back some of the differential to pixels needed.

Katrin's book will not address d&b for glamour retouch. However, the other fundamentals she teaches are extremely important.

I would agree that a better image may help improve things. This particular image does not have the level of detail you need to fully address your d&b technique. But, keep working... as OlBaldy said, you are doing fine.