Newbie:Sharing previous retouched photos and need update on dodge and burn technique.

[ena]

Hello everyone,
Long time lurker, but first time posting
So I've been learning about retouching for about a year now.. not much improvement on it till recently. I'm currently using clone stamp as my main retouching tool but I find that it can be too harsh on the skin (ie: lost of texture and tones). I'm eagerly waiting for the dodge and burn tutorial mentioned here:

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...ooth-skin.html

Any update on it?

Just to share with everyone, these are some of my photos that I've retouched using the clone stamp tool. As I've said.. I discovered that I'm too harsh on the skin.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/_ena_/378884126/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/_ena_/376046292/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/_ena_/377987745/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/_ena_/386266063/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/_ena_/395001046/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/_ena_/294166196/

Looking forward to critiques and comments. (try to be nice ok )
Thanks!

- Ena

[Ziaphra]

I like your work although I find it a little too blown out on the whites at times. Good job.

[enigmaphotos]

I've visited your photo stream there a few times (in fact just added you). I really like your work. Nice clean, and the I think your re-touching is very good.

I rarely use the clone tool, although I've heard it's the tool of choice for pro's instead of the heal brush.

I'm interested in watching your progress.

Here is a dodge burn tutorial
¦¦¦¦¦
vvvvv

[ena]

Oh! Thanks for the comments enigma and ziaphra
Ziaphra: Are you talking about the whites in that shoot with the mod look? I had my brolly on the wrong settings for this shoot. So all my shots turn out a wee bit overexposed

Enigma: Thanks. Funny I was reading your tutorial last night I guess I should be specific. I was expecting this (http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=272) kind of dodge and burn tutorial, I tried this tutorial out but it came out wrong. After the first step (dodging), my model had blotches of white. lol

- Ena

[enigmaphotos]

Originally Posted by ena

After the first step (dodging), my model had blotches of white. lol

You need to set the flow of the brush down to only 2 or 3%. You gradually add the effect. If it's higher than this you'll get big splodges of white.

That should help you.

[aaRonology101]

its all about diodge and burn ..

[snapperanton]

Hi Ena

I am a photographer and have worked with many retouchers to ahieve subtle results I couldn't behind the mac myself, although I am starting to improve gradually. Thanks to Katrin Eismann!

About a year ago there was a great 'dodge and burn' technique posted by an amazing retoucher, I think his name was conrad / conrad digital maybe. If I can find it I will let you know, it was a technique which involved NOT using 50% gray, which a lot of people tend to.

His site received so many hits, it became overloaded and crashed in a big way!!

I will have a search for you.

[Ziaphra]

This thread may be of interest then...

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/cla...ucher-nyc.html

[ena]

Guys,
I'm having trouble trying to remove the upper lip hair here: (see attached)


Does anyone have any suggestion? Again I tried with a dodge layer and ended up with white blotches

- Ena

[aaRonology101]

Ena

heres my attempt at removing the hair ...

basically what i did was clone, heal, dodge and burn. its a bit tideous, but nonetheless, it came out pretty alright.

let me know what you think ..

[ena]

aaron,
That's great! Could you tell me in order how you did it?
I had problems with the hair along the edges of the face border.
And I'm still not getting my dodge and burn technique right.

How I would approach is,
heal first
then clone

then I'm stuck.
Assuming I'm trying the D&B technique.. I would have to create a "dodge" layer (that is add a dodge curve - brightening the highlight) and also a "burn" layer (add a burn curve - darkening the shadows).
Apply a layer mask and fill in with black.
Take a soft white brush with err 5% flow (what about opacity?) and start on the dodge layer.
This is where my problem start.. no matter how little I try to dodge the hair.. I still get those damn annoying white spots. If I dodge too little, then I don't see any difference.

Appreciate any help.
Thanks!