Beauty Retouching Help

[mayday]

Ant you should post some on here I think your photography is really nice and the retouching is great. Most people would want to see it. I know you rub some people up the wrong way but you know your stuff, end of story!

[Neillo]

ANT,

Dude, it's plain to see to all of us (mostly) that you really, REALLY know your stuff. 'Mayday' is right your should post some more.

Retouching is fairly new to me. I have to do similar things but to cars, and whilst I am a long, long way off from achieving pro-standard work that doesn't stop me from trying or wanting to learn more from the professionals such as yourself.

Ignore the shit-kickers, if they think they can do better - let them prove it. Personally, I'd prefer not to rely on Actions to do my work for me, I want to learn the hard way, the old-skool way, because quite frankly it's usually the best way, tried and tested.

Ant, do me and the many others like myself a MASSIVE favour and create some Masterclasses. Run us through each stage you go through; from the original raw file; assessing what needs to be done etc, right through to each stage of retouching - explaining (for Dummies) the commands you use and why you use them. Sure it'd take a while to produce this masterclass, and sure it'd be one hell of a tome… but then again, it would be a tutorial we could ALL learn from Beginners and Pros.

Share a little and become a God.

N.

[edgework]

Originally Posted by Neillo

ANT,

Dude, it's plain to see to all of us (mostly) that you really, REALLY know your stuff. 'Mayday' is right your should post some more.

Retouching is fairly new to me. I have to do similar things but to cars, and whilst I am a long, long way off from achieving pro-standard work that doesn't stop me from trying or wanting to learn more from the professionals such as yourself.

Ignore the shit-kickers, if they think they can do better - let them prove it. Personally, I'd prefer not to rely on Actions to do my work for me, I want to learn the hard way, the old-skool way, because quite frankly it's usually the best way, tried and tested.

Ant, do me and the many others like myself a MASSIVE favour and create some Masterclasses. Run us through each stage you go through; from the original raw file; assessing what needs to be done etc, right through to each stage of retouching - explaining (for Dummies) the commands you use and why you use them. Sure it'd take a while to produce this masterclass, and sure it'd be one hell of a tome… but then again, it would be a tutorial we could ALL learn from Beginners and Pros.

Share a little and become a God.

N.

This is in no way meant to be a reply on behalf of or in place of Ant. I suspect he's quite capable of both arriving at his own opinions, and expressing them.

But I gotta point out—good tutorials are all over the web. Masterclass level tutorials. I have no doubt that if Ant chose to do so, and had the ability to teach (not always a given) his would be right up there with the best. But it takes more than a tutorial, or two, or ten, and most of what it takes isn't about what you do. It's about screwing up enough jobs over enough time that you learn what doesn't work, and you stop wasting your time on those approaches. It's about picking option E when options A through H are all valid, and making E work, and not necessarily knowing why you chose it over the others. And choosing option B the next time and making that work as well. I'll repeat what I said earlier in this thread: there's no quick fix. Knowledge is part of it, but if that was all it took, everybody who read Katrin Eismann, Dan Margulis and Scott Kelby would be turning out high-end work.

Until you develop your internal eye, and learn to edit out the stuff that doesn't work, you will just be what you're asking to be in your post: an observer. And the only way to get there is to dare to screw up, again and again. It doesn't have to be under a deadline with a job riding on your results, though a screw up under those conditions is quite educational. But just do it, over and over. And don't be initimidated when someone tells you it's crap. If it's true, they did you a favor. If it's not, you'll learn when to ignore it.

[cainam]

I first started this retouch as a "somewhat boring just another skin retouch".

I probably (in fact I'm sure) did some things, which I shouldn't have, ...and now I have to pay for it, because those things now are hard to fix...and time consuming.
I didn't expect a high end retoucher was going to go over it, and put some comments on it. Now, that's where I initially went wrong on this retouch.

And if someone wants to take lessons from it, than I would say, even before you read any tutorial, or even before you start your retouch: "Always go for the best, how unimportant it may look like".

That's at least what I will remember.

Thanks for your comments Ant, and Edgework: congratualations with your previous words,... they are o so true.

[ruud92]

I know I've done allot better than this one, so I'm a bit disappointed about myself, just don't really liked the pic on some way, only a half H. worked on, and you can see that but just give it a try. Edgework Really beautiful retouch, great job on skin. also you're words are true!


the retouch link (pic. 50%)

the retouch link (pic. 100%)

[superkoax]

Edge: Nice tips!!!

ANT: really nice work...

I'm trying and trying on this picture...hehe...the hair is a very nice challenge...

thanks for everyone who has shared their pictures...

RUUD: Nice!

gerry

[junkman]

DONT EVER USE THE GAUSIAN BLUR TO FIX HAIR PROBLEMS!!!!
The best way to get rid off flaws like blackheads, poors, facial hair and zits.

1. Use the noise and dust filter.
2. make a new layer and use the brush to paint in a light haze of skin color over the top
3. use difforent colors to shade and highlight the face.
4. its ok to have a little bit of flaws showing so the photo looks real and not fake.
5. learn about makeup. if you cant pute makeup on a woman or man in real life, then you will never be able to understand how to imitate makeup in photoshop.
6. treat the photoshop tools as "makeup tools"not drawing tools. Use a soft brush to pute on blush. use the pencil tool to pute on mascara.

Its a mix of using all the tools you have to you. from the heal stamp to brushes, to the filters. I edited this example im posting of your image in an hour. Its no wear close to "magazine" quality. If you were a client and you gave me this image to edit. I would probably 5-8 hours working on it.

I wish i could go into details on everything i did. But then i would need to write a book. BUT DONT USE THE GAUSSISAN BLUR!!!

[Cassidy]

Ruud, Not up to your usual standard but never mind, obviously you lack synchronicity with this one

[StormFX]

I'm sorry, forgot to sharpen before post

[rudym]

just a newbie

[ruud92]

Originally Posted by Cassidy

Ruud, Not up to your usual standard but never mind, obviously you lack synchronicity with this one

yeah, i just don't like the pic, thats also why i did only worked on it for a half hour, but I'm still a bit disappointed about the result of my retouching with this pic, maybe because i just don't liked it haha

[funkyboy4]

Just thought ill post mine. Hope you like

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...ty_059copy.jpg

[Neillo]

Originally Posted by edgework

Until you develop your internal eye, and learn to edit out the stuff that doesn't work, you will just be what you're asking to be in your post: an observer. And the only way to get there is to dare to screw up, again and again. It doesn't have to be under a deadline with a job riding on your results, though a screw up under those conditions is quite educational. But just do it, over and over. And don't be initimidated when someone tells you it's crap. If it's true, they did you a favor. If it's not, you'll learn when to ignore it.

Good point. Yes, you're right, the willingness to make mistakes and learn from them is a better lesson to learn than reading techniques from a book.

Thank you.

[mayday]

Originally Posted by edgework

This is in no way meant to be a reply on behalf of or in place of Ant. I suspect he's quite capable of both arriving at his own opinions, and expressing them.

But I gotta point out—good tutorials are all over the web. Masterclass level tutorials. I have no doubt that if Ant chose to do so, and had the ability to teach (not always a given) his would be right up there with the best. But it takes more than a tutorial, or two, or ten, and most of what it takes isn't about what you do. It's about screwing up enough jobs over enough time that you learn what doesn't work, and you stop wasting your time on those approaches. It's about picking option E when options A through H are all valid, and making E work, and not necessarily knowing why you chose it over the others. And choosing option B the next time and making that work as well. I'll repeat what I said earlier in this thread: there's no quick fix. Knowledge is part of it, but if that was all it took, everybody who read Katrin Eismann, Dan Margulis and Scott Kelby would be turning out high-end work.

Until you develop your internal eye, and learn to edit out the stuff that doesn't work, you will just be what you're asking to be in your post: an observer. And the only way to get there is to dare to screw up, again and again. It doesn't have to be under a deadline with a job riding on your results, though a screw up under those conditions is quite educational. But just do it, over and over. And don't be initimidated when someone tells you it's crap. If it's true, they did you a favor. If it's not, you'll learn when to ignore it.

I dont think we can ask Ant to do tutorials, I guess he's too busy. Its just nice to see some of his test photography and the retouching he's done on that.

[Insensitive.]

Originally Posted by Ant

No one asked for your opinion....fault of the capture/small dynamic range/subjective. Additionally, you have no reference file (original) to base your blanket statements on. My file, I am not bothered by the hair and much was already removed.

who are you to judge anyway Action, Button Pusher Boy? Exactly why I've never posted anything for the peanut gallery here before - much akin to taking the rednecks to a wine tasting.

Lets not get too upset.
You are also very intimidating. He was just making an opinion, its a forum. I beleive that is what your supposed to do. If he what he says seems ignorant. Just ignore him.
There are too many ignorant people in the world to get upset with each one.[/

[jenniferfrances]

Originally Posted by Damo77

Hi Gregory, welcome to the site.

Usually I don't take those fine facial hairs out completely, just tone them down a bit (ie blurred layer on top, reduce opacity).

A couple of things I notice about your photo:

1) the odd pinkness on her lower eyelids - perhaps she's really like that, I don't know, but I'd probably un-pink them a bit.

2) The clumsy way your cyan background (in the jpeg) meets her skin - particularly at her temple and neck. Be careful to make sure that looks natural.

Actually, this photo raises a question I've pondered before. If you're shooting somebody at 3/4 angle, and you only have enough depth of field to make one eye sharp, not both, should it be the front eye or the back eye?

I would say the front eye is more important. You've managed the tear duct in one eye, and the eyebrow in the other. In my opinion, that's a bit of a drawback to the photo, but I'm keen to hear what others think.

he is asking for retouch methods not a critque on his photography! lol
and ill never understand why people think blurring is the solution. blurring SHOULD NEVER BE DONE. you never see a thick layer of blurred skin in any magazine. it looks horrible.

[Oh_Heck]

Ok...here's another go at this lady. Using a different technique this time around and I like the outcome better. Tried to tone down the reds also.

I'm looking for critiques here. This is my second time working on skin cleanup, and I'm trying to improve.

[edgework]

Originally Posted by Oh_Heck

Ok...here's another go at this lady. Using a different technique this time around and I like the outcome better. Tried to tone down the reds also.

I'm looking for critiques here. This is my second time working on skin cleanup, and I'm trying to improve.

Buy a copy of Elle, Vogue or Glamour. Look at any cosmetic ad with a close-up of a face. Make a list of the things you notice that you have done differently. Work on those.

[27th]

Originally Posted by edgework

Buy a copy of Elle, Vogue or Glamour. Look at any cosmetic ad with a close-up of a face. Make a list of the things you notice that you have done differently. Work on those.

Love photos from this magazines. It is kinda my way).
My try.

[Alison]

Originally Posted by Ant
No one asked for your opinion....fault of the capture/small dynamic range/subjective. Additionally, you have no reference file (original) to base your blanket statements on. My file, I am not bothered by the hair and much was already removed.

who are you to judge anyway Action, Button Pusher Boy? Exactly why I've never posted anything for the peanut gallery here before - much akin to taking the rednecks to a wine tasting.

Doesn't matter how much talent a person has, this rudeness and arrogance overshadows it completely.

[jenniferfrances]

here is my version.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...059retouch.jpg

[pixelzombie]

looks good jennifer but there is noticable blurring in her hairline, and that vein in her eye has got to go...

[jacknick]

hi all. here's mine. i only worked on the face so far.

a critique from the pros would be appreciated.

thanks!!

[edgework]

Originally Posted by jacknick

hi all. here's mine. i only worked on the face so far.

a critique from the pros would be appreciated.

thanks!!

You've lost your color. Her skin's become, essentially, a duotone. Also very dark and a bit grimey, like a cmyk image looks if the black plate is converted wrong and ends up contaminating the midtones, quartertones and highlights. Retouching isn't too bad. Whatever moves you made were in the right direction. But try to avoid moves that damage the color.

[jacknick]

thanks for the tip edge. i was basically going for a warm tan look, with lots of shape. i guess i went too far with the color and not far enough with the retouching.

[kiltacticon]

Not sure how much this valuable information is all worth. Lets just say if one day you all get royalty checks in the mail, it might be from me I was about to post one of my images before, after reading this thread to it's entirety, I'll take another crack at it. Having problems getting the little variations of skin tone to match with out loosing texture. I will put up both the touched up version and the OG for those who want to take a swing at it.

Let me thank all the contributors to this thread, especially cainam and all who helped get him to his latest attempt.

I did noticed the eye balls went a little flat or soft( I don't know), but I am no pro to start criticizing just yet. Just something to maybe revisit and keep this thread going strong.

[jacknick]

here's my final version.

[RCliff]

I don't normally do this but thought I would take a shot.
Cliff

[djslyda]

i would love some comments or advice on my attempt at this being as it is my first beauty retouch, much appreciated thanx.

[Ankh1]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...nkhversion.jpg

Please leave some critiques on what i can improve on!

Great image, I tried to retouch it how the original poster wanted it.