Just starting out

[SierraBella]

So I was hoping to get some advice/critiques about the work my sister-in-law and I have been doing. We are both self taught and working without a professional camera. She is the photographer and does the majority of the retouching herself with and online editor and I take on the more advanced editing in photoshop if there is something she is not happy with typically lighting.
I believe the camera she has is the Canon EOS Rebel XS with a 18-55mm lens.
Also the first and last are my edits retouching on the 2nd and 3rd are her edits.

So yea I realize these aren't high end or anything lol but if there is any advice anyone has for how we can improve it would be greatly appreciated. Highest resolution available attached.

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/8240/jen7ea.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/4...9727162617.jpg

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/6...1671707417.jpg

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/456/040e2.jpg

[Jannz]

These are some of the things I noticed.
1. I like the eyes, nose and mouth. I think you have taken the skin a bit too far. There are patches that look almost ethereal. The skin on the neck and under the necklace are not as processed as the rest of the skin and look fine. Also the background is very distracting.
2. I like the pose and the processing done on the skin. I would prefer that her eyes were in focus - especially the one closest eye. Also appears to be a bit blown out on her shoulder.
3. Love this. Love the story it tells and love the sepia treatment. Appears to be a bit blown out in places though.
4. Good composition, lovely colours. Processing on the skin on the face is a bit more than what I prefer. Also would prefer that the eye closest to me was the one in focus.
You are doing really well. Please take my comments as encouragement. Photography is more about the photographer than the camera. You do composition really well. Just watch the backgrounds and the lighting.

[SierraBella]

Thank you so much Jannz your feedback is much appreciated lol I was starting to think that no one was going to respond! I do agree with all of what you said and have since improved on my post processing esp where the skin is concerned. We have also upgraded our lens! Things are slowly but surely growing. I may post a few more newer photos to share our progress as well as maybe get a few more critiques!

[Jannz]

My pleasure SierraBella. I look forward to seeing more of your work. All the best for your photography and post processing.

[Boneappetit]

Hi Sierra Bella: I can see you got a good eye for retouching, your pictures are very nice too... But, the problem of using blur for skin retouch is that, it takes away the texture and the results don't look natural, as Jannz wrote above, "you have taken the skin a bit too far". You might want to try one of the following techniques which are very good for starters... http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=213 <--- Ps technique... (Scroll page down for quick method)...

The other one is this plug-in that you can download for free... http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...in-smooth.html (You can find the instructions for installation on the same page).

Good luck and keep up the good work!

[SierraBella]

Ty Boneappetit your right I was using blur on my skin but not long after this post i discovered frequency separation omg i so wish i had found it sooner! I have also since discovered lightroom. I will as I said post some newer work soon (i just need to get consent first)

[SierraBella]

Well as I posted above I thought I would update this with some newer work since both I and my photographer have improved. Again any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated we are both always looking to improve.

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/7874/kendra04bw.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/4523/conner01.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/619/kendra14.jpg

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/8...tany01edit.jpg


Maybe next time I'll work out how to post a before and after flash but tonight my net is a mess! Thanks again to those who have responded so far

[Jannz]

Wow - massive improvement. Well done.

[Boneappetit]

Cool, nice improvement Sierra Bella, keep it up...

[jessicaporter1]

My only advice for achieving nice looking skin is focusing on evening out the tones of skin.

Thats why we wear foundation, to even out our skin tone to look more attractive.

You can do this my carefully using the dodge and burn technique.

All retouching is is practice! one you have the eye for retouching you can only go up. I am constantly learning new tips and tricks that improve my retouching.

God speed! haha

- Jessica

[SierraBella]

Was trying to figure out before and afters without flash for various sites apparently the ones I needed it for it doesn't work. Anyhow xD heres a before and after of one of the images.

http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/...a-gif-test.gif

Jessica I agree and do try to even out tone to the best of my ability given my time frame. We general try to have 20-30 photos for each client in a matter of a few days so unfortunately I am not able in most cases to spend as much time on them as needed to bring them to higher end quality. But yes I have been working a bit with dodge and burn. I would love to spread out and do some high end freelance or at least some high end practice so I do grab what I can here and there. Anyway before I start to ramble lol thanks again!

[jazfrench]

Hi Sierra
just a few points that make help you for future touch ups:
1. Looks great however skin is unnaturally smooth and pore free
2. Yellow cast on the skin could be adjusted, and the shoulder strap on the top should be adjusted so that it's not twisted - this is drawing the eye away from the face.
3. The left side of this image is completely blown out. I would crop this side of the picture off.
4. The skin is unnaturally smooth and pore free. I would also adjust the straps of the top so they do not appear loose - this is making the top look ill fitting.