[SteveB2005]

Originally Posted by wtowle

I actually do some of that work for some high end new york beauty clients. What I do is a bit of a cheat , but it saves hours. Don't get me wrong , it still takes hours, but I first run Imagenomic Portraiture software(takes some learning on this software) then I do the remaining blemishes pixel by pixel. No one has ever known the difference. This software is amazing, but something I like to keep as secret as possible. We don' twant soccer mom photographers getting ahold of it.

Is the Imagenomic Portraiture software a Photoshop action/plug-in or a separate program that complements Photoshop? Does the program do anything that cannot be achieved in Photoshop?

steve

[Flint123]

WOW, I never new that it could take 40-60 hours to retouch a picture. No wonder they look so amazing when you see them in magazines.

So dodge and burn is the best way to retouch. I have used D&B before but not to that level. I’m guessing that a really skilled retouching could change someone’s face and body just by adding shadows and highlights, as well as perfecting that person’s skin?

[SteveB2005]

Originally Posted by Flint123

WOW, I never new that it could take 40-60 hours to retouch a picture. No wonder they look so amazing when you see them in magazines.

So dodge and burn is the best way to retouch. I have used D&B before but not to that level. I’m guessing that a really skilled retouching could change someone’s face and body just by adding shadows and highlights, as well as perfecting that person’s skin?

40-60 hours seems like a long session for a single image. Is that really how long it takes to do a complete "makeover" of a hi-rez fashion or cosmetic ad file? Billing per hour would be in a range of $60-300 per hour, depending on what coast you're on I suppose.

That must be literally working a few pixels at a time and perfecting them to match the overall photo

[mseydel]

I don't know; I've had images that were a challenge, but even ad projects where you're creating something more or less from scratch should only take 20-30 hours at the outside. I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around spending 60 hours on anyone image that isn't a digital painting that had no original image...

[Ant]

You may have trouble, but it's the norm. Depends on the image and what is involved with composited elements, etc of course, but the thing is, you don't get to decide when it's done, the Art Director/Creative Director and Client does. Many rounds and many proofs. Art direction changes direction, file evolves, it's not cut and dry. We are talking ads here, not editorials btw.

Typical spread, make up client. Left of page: close-up of beauty, retouched heavily, makeup applied, hair perfected, colors matched to actual product, hairline extended for bleed, new hair added. Right page: Lifestyle image (3/4 shot or full body) same as before, add these legs, make dress flow over shoulder as if blowing in the wind as per AD comp. Background: pick up supplied main image, composite elements, fix perspective, colorize as per comp. Match blues in eye shadow. Product: floats above panel of color in the same color family of whole ad. Retouch to death, add drop shadows and effects, match to supplied product in job bag. In-house round before round 1 shown to client. Tweaks made, reprint at size for showing ad agency first round. Repeat rounds as per AD mark-ups -- finally where art director happy with it to show client. Creative director happens by meeting, spies art. Says to AD "What are you thinking doing that? Make another select for the lifestyle. Blue? What are you nuts, go aqua. That product is a mock up, the actual product packaging is going to be green". Make those changes. Client finally sees it. "Hmmm. Looks pretty good, but push that in over here, soften the texture near her lip. Her lipstick looks to vibrant and this is an eyeshadow/lash ad so lets make them more nude and less bright. Let's go back to the original legs, shoes should be more gold, less bronze looking. The copy won't read here so lets darken that area slightly so it stands off the page a bit more. Eyelashes need to longer and fuller, pop the eyes. Add hair here." repeat. could be a month before it's released.

[cricket1961]

I wish some images would only take 20-30 hours, Make my life a lot easier.

Chris

[shellby]

take all your blur, median, softening methods and chuck them in the bin

dodge and burn all the way, at first it may seem like madness but it is worth it!

speed will come with practice

The high end photographers and magazines do not blur

[Flint123]

Originally Posted by shellby

take all your blur, median, softening methods and chuck them in the bin

dodge and burn all the way, at first it may seem like madness but it is worth it!

speed will come with practice

The high end photographers and magazines do not blur

Thanks, I am going try and learn the dodge and burn technique!

[navy_eye]

I'm new to the whole dodge and burn techniques of skin retouching. Does anyone have some before and after shots they are willing to talk about step by step?

It would be much appreciated. I only fiddle with photos as a hobby, I went to a wedding on Saturday and have some lovely snaps I'd like to touch up and give to the bride and groom as a gift.

Thanks x

[OL9245]

Where can I find a tuto on the D&B technique for skin retouching?

[chillin]

Here is one thanks to shellby

[dude2010]

Originally Posted by wtowle

http://www.jeffstephens.com this guy is a skin god. And hey look at his client list ... Spanish Vogue! HA!

Arrr that's nothing compaired to my work tsk..tsk..tsk.. ...wow!

[OperaFan1981]

"This woman" is Ms. Suzette Troche-Stapp @ "GlitterGuru" whom I got to meet and assist on one of her projects.

--Ron
www.ronaldntan.com

Originally Posted by wtowle

This woman takes it a bit furthe rthan that, check it out.