what resolution for compositing/sampling texture?

[bcnretouch]

Hi,

I have read that many professional retouchers have libraries/folders full of various lips, hair, skin textures, etc. that they then sample from as they are retouching (for example, using the shine from a certain pair of lips in their library or using the perfect pores from one skin to improve the texture of another). My question is, how high of a resolution do these "sample" images need to be? If I have a high resolution jpeg (say, 3000x4000 pixels for example), will that be good enough to sample from if I want to composite in some hair or skin texture, etc?

By the way, I just want to say thanks to all of you out there- your generosity in sharing information has been invaluable to me during this learning process!

[daygraphics]

I am going to say that 3000-4000 pixels of data will fulfill most of your needs.

On that note... another good selection of image area often needed is hair edges with natural loose hairs and some flyaways. You can use these sections to stick on the edge of almost anyone's head - and just adjust the color and contrast to match the base original.

[bcnretouch]

thanks so much!

[Graphirus]

Interesting, first time I hear about this. Which are good libraries for this kind of material? Any links?

[bcnretouch]

I was wondering the same thing. In this very useful tutorial by Ray12, he recommends that a good source for getting skin texture, etc. can be sites with high resolution images of celebrities (some of them are for people to download for wallpaper, etc).

[daygraphics]

On a similar note, I used to have an account with a major manufacturer of construction and building materials. I had to reskin houses. I had a whole library of house parts, Windows, Window treatments, Siding (and the various styles of siding - Dutch-lap, Wood Shingles, etc.). Doors, Soffit, Facsia - you get the idea. I used them over and over again - just modifying them slightly, changing perspective and color corrected when necessary.

My job was to take older, existing homes, whose home owners agreed to have 3-4 proposed makeovers done, and presented to them. In, return, they agreed to buy all their materials from this supplier.

Example of some houses can be found here.

http://www.daygraphics.net/retouching5.html

http://www.daygraphics.net/retouching6.html

http://www.daygraphics.net/new_retouching1.html

I also did decks and other construction projects too. It was a good account, but like a lot of other campaigns, it just got too expensive.