REAL High End Skin retouching -Pixel Density Matching Technique

[Andy Bird]

<b> Dont let this thread become another discussion on D&B layers and blurring techniques.</b>

I am getting desperate to know some more techniques which we see used in "big head movie posters" and some cosmetics campaigns which leave skin looking perfect but 'natural' and porous.

Starting with an amazing MUA, lighting and photographer is a given.

Does anyone have hints on "Pixel Density Matching Technique" work or use this technique often to make perfect, natural looking skin?

Or use composites 3D and photography for skin and hair replacement?
-andy.b

[superkoax]

on tough skin, I zoom all the way in to the pixels and use a brush with no soft egdes and then use eye dropper tool to copy the surrounding area and go over areas i want to change...use the eyedropper tool heavily to get even result...I darker parts I get better results...especially shadows...

but this isn't something I have read on the net, I just tried it one day, and i t works for my use

cheers

Gerry

[EternalTomorrow]

Originally Posted by superkoax

on tough skin, I zoom all the way in to the pixels and use a brush with no soft egdes and then use eye dropper tool to copy the surrounding area and go over areas i want to change...use the eyedropper tool heavily to get even result...I darker parts I get better results...especially shadows...

but this isn't something I have read on the net, I just tried it one day, and i t works for my use

cheers

Gerry

you have a before and after example of you usin this technique?

[Daviskw]

Hi there

There is another option besides pixel by pixel repair...although not always as good.

You can make a pore mask from a hi-res picture of your choice. Below is just a quick example. The pore mask is from Cillian Murphy.

The idea is to remove the existing pores from your picture with your method of choice, then lay the pore mask over the top.

To make a pore mask you make a selection of the area of skin you want. Remove color the apply the High pass filter to just get the pores. Copy and paste this over your smooth skinned picture and change the blend mode to overlay. Then sharpen to bring out the pores.

Butch

[Andy Bird]

Nice one Gerryyyyya yes i've done this too
Perhaps another way would be too use a tight "Select colour range" then CMD+J to copy only that selection then use levels to match the tone to surrounding px…? I guess that only works for similar colour bits though.

[Andy Bird]

Dude, this sounds excellent. I've often used HP filter to add detail back into a smoothed image… i'll be giving this a go asap. Now to find some good pores… Pores for thought.

------------------
To make a pore mask you make a selection of the area of skin you want. Remove color the apply the High pass filter to just get the pores. Copy and paste this over your smooth skinned picture and change the blend mode to overlay. Then sharpen to bring out the pores.

Butch[/QUOTE]

[superkoax]

daviskw: nice one...so, where to find good pores? anyone?

ETERNAL: I've maybe made myself missunderstodd here, but I don't do a whole image use only the pixel by pixel method...first: i'm not that good, second it takes me a whole lot of time to just do small areas... I have one picture, the first I tried it on...but, I don't have the psd to back it up...it's only a before and after image...

find it here:

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...retouched.html


cheers

Gerry

[pixel_monkey]

Originally Posted by Daviskw

Hi there

You can make a pore mask from a hi-res picture of your choice. Below is just a quick example. The pore mask is from Cillian Murphy.

Butch

Pore mask? Is it the 2D equivalence to the 'bump map' that 3D artists use to texture 3D models? I use bump maps made with noise and painted grains every time when texturing my 3D models. I've also used the same bump map for retouching, but never liked the result much. Never thought of making the map out of real pores. Thanks for the tip. Very interesting.

[superkoax]

Pixel: What program do you use to make 3d models? Poser? or are there other progs that works better?

Gerry

[pixel_monkey]

Originally Posted by superkoax

Pixel: What program do you use to make 3d models? Poser? or are there other progs that works better?

Gerry

I use Maya. Poser only allows the users import pre-made models and has no modeling capability. I like to build 3D models/objects/structures and texture them more than anything else, and Maya offers everything one needs in the production pipeline. The only con I have is that the learning curve is higher than anything I've ever encountered. It's very slow going for beginners.

[aquariusbg011]

Originally Posted by pixel_monkey

I use Maya. Poser only allows the users import pre-made models and has no modeling capability. I like to build 3D models/objects/structures and texture them more than anything else, and Maya offers everything one needs in the production pipeline. The only con I have is that the learning curve is higher than anything I've ever encountered. It's very slow going for beginners.

Can u show us some your examples ?

[Kraellin]

Starting with an amazing MUA, lighting and photographer is a given.

what the heck is 'MUA'?

[pixeltek]

Originally Posted by Kraellin

what the heck is 'MUA'?

make-up artist

[EternalTomorrow]

Originally Posted by Kraellin

what the heck is 'MUA'?

you're a moderator and you dont know what a MUA is?! :P

Make Up Artist

[Andy Bird]

haha! I admit, MUA sounds like a term for a loud Fresian.

This has been quite a lively forum.
This weekend I'm in at work, using the S L O W Apple Aperture (Capture One is far quicker and i'm on "carmen" my Hot and Fast G5!) However, i've been spending some time fiddling with ways to quickly smooth out skin tones without haveing to use the pen tool and mask.

Here's my fave so far which can be Actioned (although i'm convinced anything worth actioning is probably not a fantastic way of doing things):

Copy the layer
Basic blemish removal
Gaussian Blur (the part I don't agree with)
Copy the orig layer and send it to the top -
Filter/Other/High Pass
Luminance Blending Mode
and use opacity to change the amount of definition.
----
I feel this is a pretty normal way of quickly doing things…?
Any advice on this little technique?
----
I nearly always pull up blacks up and highs into the hig/mids by doing a Comp Layers then copying that, desaturating blending mode/soft light - or even using the Channel mixer for more control. Almost the same effect that an S-Curve in the midtones might do.

There are fruit flies in the office.

[pixel_monkey]

Originally Posted by aquariusbg011

Can u show us some your examples ?

I uploaded some of my 3D work in my gallery.

[aaRonology101]

i still stand by dodge and burning ..

=oP

[TheVeed]

I have never seen any of these fancy 'easy 3D adding pores back in'-techniques work. I've yet to see any with good results that would work for movie posters or make-up ads, as mentioned above.

Having actually worked on make-up, hair, and beauty ads, you should know that none of these techniques are used. Why? because retouching doesn't involve someone waving a wand and saying 'ta-da!' It involves time, hard work, and a good eye.

And yes. Dodge and burn, for the skin.

[pixel_monkey]

Andy,
I know that you don't want this thread to turn into another D&B thread. Well, I gave that pore mask method a try and the result looked not much different from using one of those adding noise/grain to the neutral layer techniques.
The Veed and aaRonology101 are absolutely right. I'm afraid to tell you that D&B until tears come of your eyes is the way to go to achieve perfect skin.
Perhaps, you can show us some examples of the ones that you've seen that were done without D&B?

[Ant]

I am getting desperate to know some more techniques which we see used in "big head movie posters" and some cosmetics campaigns which leave skin looking perfect but 'natural' and porous.


I do that and there isn't anything secret that is done. You know the answer. Can't do it? It's not because there is some secret technique yo.

[stopa]

I will repeat after the Ant: "Just because it looks better doesn't mean it looks good.
There is no magic in "big head movie posters"- just a lots of work. All of this MUA, PHotographers, and retouchers. That is all...
Try to post-produce using BUMP map technique 45milion pixel beauty theme image. Than You will see the difference. Push pixel-by-pixel, D&B and work hard!