How can I make her neckline look more natural?

[groovigyrl]

Hi all,

It didn't even occur to me that the neck and chest (skin only) of my model looked bloated and odd shaped until it was pointed out to me!! So now I'm obsessing! lol

How can I make her neck area look natural and not stand out so much? I used the "pucker" liquify tool which helped with the bulge but I can't lighten up the shadows so that they look natural. I tried using the clone and healing brushes (didn't work so well).

I want this photo to look magazine quality. I would be so grateful for any help AND the steps that you took to achieve it so that I can do it on my end. I'd like to include this in my portfolio. Please tell me if it's not suitable!! I appreciate honesty and take criticism very well! Thanks so much!!!!

jane

[Cupcake]

I made 2 layers of the same picture.
The bottom picture the way you want it.
The top picture much lighter mask it to bring back the dark places and leave the neck lighter.

[lej]

I did a second layer, lightened it using the Shadows/highlights adjustment, ligthened it further, using the Screen blending mode, painted it in from a mask, used the healing brush, did some painting, and used the liquify filter for the neckline. Then I used Shadows/highlights again to bring out the checks in the jacket.

[groovigyrl]

Thank you both so much!! You gave me some great tips and I hope it worked. I didn't use the liquify tool because I didn't think it needed it after the cloning (I cloned to keep the skin tones in the same range). I had never used the shadows/highlights adjustment before! Never even noticed it. THANK YOU! Worked great! I also kept the shadow under the chin on the darker side because, as you can tell, the sun was very strong and I feel that the shadow only makes sense (more believable). I just lightened it up a tad.

Do I still need to work on it? Anything I should improve on? I know it's not perfect. I don't know what else to do. FYI, the small file upload (100 dpi) has greatly affected the quality. Thanks again!!

[imagicphoto]

Hi, all I used was the 'Liquify' tool. She seems at a funny angle. I tried to make it look as natural as possible. Btw, is it just me, or does she not look sort of like Courtney Love?

[groovigyrl]

That does look very natural! I like it. Thanks!