One of my first attempts. C&C greatly appreciated

[LucaFerroglio]

Hello everybody. This is my first post asking for C&C on an image I've been post-processing.
I've learnt a bit about D&B, and I wanted to try that out.

The shot was taken by me, and so I am both the photographer and the post-producer.

My PP level is not that high in PS. I know levels, masks, filters, but I'm trying to improve my skills.

Feel free to give me any hint, and if you feel like, to modify the original image.

Here's what I've been doing so far:
-Removed some major features by cloning/repair tools.
-Smoothed and removed minor features by D&B
-Tried to give a bit of structure to the face, by D&B

Here you can find the photo page:
http://flic.kr/p/8jcN7J

Here the photo at its max resolution:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/...940e5a_o_d.jpg

[0lBaldy]

Originally Posted by LucaFerroglio

Hello everybody. This is my first post asking for C&C on an image I've been post-processing.
I've learnt a bit about D&B, and I wanted to try that out.

Welcome to RetouchPRO Hope you enjoy your stay here and make lots of friends. Poke around, ask questions, offer help, have fun!

Great work for just trying the D&B Technique! I circled a few areas that jumped out at me that may need a little more work.. I would also clean the teeth and sharpen the Irises of the eyes so they would not look so soft

The shot was taken by me, and so I am both the photographer and the post-producer.

I think I would adjust the F-Stop next time to increase the DOF a bit so both eyes are in focus...

You can post fairly large pictures which are under 100k using the 'save for web' function in Photoshop as described here: Size, Quality and/or Format your Attached Images.. (Click here)

How to attach Files/Images to your Posts or Threads: (Click here)

If you want to post a larger resolution that is over 100K then you can host your image elsewhere and attach a link in the thread as you did here, but also please attach an under 100K version (so the thread remains useful in the future, regardless of external links).

[Zeplin]

For mainly just using Dodge/Burn the skin is really well done, and nice and intact. But overall, I feel there's still a lot that could be done to the image.
That, of course, also depends on what you were going for, and what the image should be used for.

[LucaFerroglio]

Thank you for your answers.
Basically, the image was just a portrait for my friend, so no real "final" use; it's just to be put in her book.
For me, it was more of an exercise to improve my D&B skills. I see there's still a lot to do (and partially even know what, as lips, hair and other things should need a big retouch too).

Looking back at this image, in fact, I always find something new that should be done.
Let's say, this was to understand if I'm going in the good direction.

About the F-stop, I know that as a beauty portrait it's somehow too soft. This was not taken in a studio, by the way, but it's all natural light (I was staying in the shadow to avoid direct sun light, and to have a nice and even light on her face).
Increasing the F-stop would have forced me to increase exposure time (thus increasing the risk of shaking my camera) or ISO (introducing a lot of noise, as I'm on an old EOS 400D).

Anyway, thanks again for your kind answers!

Luca