[polkio]

Hi,

I really hope someone can help with this, my partner has always wanted pictures of us but I avoid the camera like the plague, that said I would like to give her a couple of framed ones for xmas. I have 2 from our recent holiday that are not so bad, well she looks gorgeous anyway. I would love for them to look a bit more professional and/or lose a few of my chins. I have Corel Paint Shop Pro X but am struggling. I have attached them so you have an idea of the herculean task ahead - please be gentle - any ideas anyone?

thanks

[RokcetScientist]

If this photo and your partner are really important to you, you should have them retaken with a telephoto lens and better (off-camera) light. That's much more flattering for the both of you: less wide-angle distortion and softer, more textured lighting. And it generates a much better original to retouch, thus the end result will be worth framing and can last you, and her!, for decades (and lets you off the hook for a couple years too!).

Good luck!

[jadams007]

if the photos are important, I'd get a pro to take the shots with controlled lighting, what you're requesting is more for something like Pictismo...well, if it works anymore.

[mistermonday]

Polkio, welcome to RetouchPRO. The others have given you the best advice because the lighting, lense perspective, etc are all poor. However, in the event that you have nothing else for the moment, attached is a slightly improved version (I hope).
Regards, Murray

[Alison]

I had a quick go at this.

[Wolfman]

Here you go.

[Wolfman]

Here's 2 more of the other shot.

[Alison]

Had a quick go at this one as well.

[lcramer53]

I wanted to give this a quick try as well.

[carb]

here's my try Polkio, here my second attempt using Paint Shop Pro X, you can go to about.com graphics software the got tutorials for PSPX. I duplicate the layer, did a one step photo fix, whiten teeth 30%. New layer cloned out the background. New layer named eye bags used cone tool at 75-80% to reduce the eye bags. New layer named it shine reduce the shine with the clone tool at 13%. Than copied all layers 2-5th than Merge visible. Duplicate the merged layer took the warp brush reduced your chin than duplicated that layer did a Gaussian blur at a radius of 5, than eased you two to reveal the sharper image below or could use a mask. I hope this helps you. Carb

[polkio]

Thanks everyone for the advice and efforts, very much appreciated. I guessed it wouldn't be possible to get to the level of some of the work you guys have done on here because of the poor source, but the ones people worked on are much improved. Thanks again