Retouch challenge - Male headshot

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by butterfly223198

Hi all

I'm new

Well I gave it my best shot..... I'm a complete amateur so, I'm sure other people did much better than I, but I'd like to hear all the critiques you have for me....

Hi Butterfly... welcome to RP. Not to worry - everyone who participates here was an amature at some point. Hats off to you for jumping in to give it a go.

Here's my 2-cents from a non-pro/casual observer perspective. To me his eyes are very important. The one on the R side of the image is very hidden in the shadows, so maybe lighten that side of his face a bit?

Keep having fun as you continue to grow!

[OnAir]

Good try for now, boke78. Just some possible improvements - even if you do smooth skin, keep some skin structure around eyes and nose, it will give more natural appearance of the face. My suggestion would be also do not blur, try to search site for dodge and burn technique.

[disinimCS3]

this is my entry...

i like this kind of skin in my advertising...

bets regards...

http://www.disinim.com.mx/retouchpro...hchallenge.jpg

[pixelzombie]

i just discovered that Flickr will size everything down to only 1024 pixels as the largest dimension even though it falls under the 5 meg size limit for standard members, which is %^&$#@ annoying as the original file is 11X8 inches @ 250 ppi and only 800k as a jpeg..i'll have to find another location for hi-rez images as i was going to post some architectural shots for people to practice on...

[Nanls]

Originally Posted by pixelzombie

i just discovered that Flickr will size everything down to only 1024 pixels as the largest dimension even though it falls under the 5 meg size limit for standard members, which is %^&$#@ annoying as the original file is 11X8 inches @ 250 ppi and only 800k as a jpeg..i'll have to find another location for hi-rez images as i was going to post some architectural shots for people to practice on...

That would be great. Architectural would be something new in the mix. Thanks for your efforts and I hope you can find another location.

~Nancy

[byRo]

I've been working on a local-contrast filter - fun for revving up the texture.

Rô

[bgates87]

Hi, I thought this looked like a good image to use for my first post here:

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/1889/retouchyg8.jpg

I softened the skin using a dust & scratches filter and fixed the color with a curves adjustment layer. Then I used the dodge, burn, and sponge tool (set to desaturate) to get rid of the blood vessels in the eyes and used some selective sharpening and levels adjustments on the eyes to make them pop a little more.

[morph retouch]

here's my lunch time attempt.
after
hope it's ok

[Godmother]

Originally Posted by Svald7

At this time I'm practicing the easy, natural looking approach. On this version, no smoothing at all, just softened the lines and a very light blur, plus color balancing.

omg.... bluring a little it's as wrong as bluring a lot... don't you see it in the outcome? blotchy... blury... with EVERY SINGLE imperfection still there outcome?

This is just for you to think about it. If everyone here wants to LEARN why don't you? Why do everybody keeps bluring to "even out" skin???

I just don't get it, maybe Ant can help me understand?

[lee_the_flea]

KR1156, I really like your technique !! Great job. What tools did you use? And what did you do to create the 'skin' texture?

[CaptainHook]

Originally Posted by Godmother

I just don't get it, maybe Ant can help me understand?

He already has.

Originally Posted by Ant

There is a big problem here folks and that problem is your problem with seeing. You are going to struggle until you learn to see what is right and what is wrong. This deficiency will haunt you even though you might have all the technique in the world. If you can't see well.... train yourself. Be more objective. Really look.

[lee_the_flea]

Godmother, I still use the clone tool to smooth out skin. I dont even use the healing brush tool even though I am working in PS CS3. It was how I learned and so it works for me. After many years I can work fairly quickly. I use different brush oppacities, depending on what I want to acchive. 17 to 23 to smooth the skin and more for blemishes etc. I work on a layer and when I am done I pull the oppacity down to reveal the original layer and usually leave it at about 70 to 85% to allow for a few lines to show through. I know the healing brush tool is supposed to be the best but I have never really got the same effects with it, or mastered it for that matter. What do you use?

[dataflow]

i really think people need to get off there high horse.
if it was the first time i seen a post like this i wouldnt have said anything, but iv seen a couple of posts since iv been coming to retouchpro where people think its ok to degrade someones image they posted.

just remember not everyone is into retouching/restoring like you might be.
you can critique and suggest they learn things but you dont have to make them feel dumb for not doing so.
some people just do it as a hobbie and dont take it as serious as others, and dont have the time to learn.

but i bet if you suggested things that they should learn they might do so

just my thoughts on people being rude

[klassylady25]

My submission is in high key.
Color and B/W

[3industries]

first post, first retouch

[klassylady25]

Originally Posted by KR1156

i'd say 9 out of 10 aren't really interested in what i am. at lest (least) the giants won the superbowl!!!

What are you?

[KR1156]

lee_the_flea…nothing special from me here, from what i can(barely) remember, i did 5 min of healing/cloning on the obvious imperfections (eyes, eye bags, nose, skin etc.) then 10 min of d&b to smooth out the skin and facial shape (like jaw lines, cheek) then 5 min skin mask to even out my skintone and make it more uniform. no tricks. *remember i had a quick go at it, don't take anything i did for a guide, as there are imperfections left.

klassylady25, to put it simple, i am not here to learn any tricks. (i just like to kill time and help others out. i also like the local nyc conversation.) i know how to retouch and know what it takes, and it took a long time for me to get there. once you get over looking for quick fixes, and filters and actions, and take the time needed, you will be one step ahead of most.

[klassylady25]

I didn't use the quick fixes. I used the tools within my program. Retouch is not my baileywick, restoration is, but I like to keep my hand in it at times. This was a great shot to practice with. I think the outcome was good. Thanks for taking time to write and clarify.

[KR1156]

best "tip" I learned over the last year or so as a retoucher…

"stop looking at the image as a retoucher, and look at it as the art director".

little things like that is what i'm here for.

[morph retouch]

Originally Posted by KR1156

best "tip" I learned over the last year or so as a retoucher…

"stop looking at the image as a retoucher, and look at it as the art director".

little things like that is what i'm here for.

I wouldn't do that if I were you, art directors, don't always have the greatest direction.
I'd consider the image from a point of view that as a retoucher it's your job to make the image look better, possibly better, than an art director could conceive. After all they're supposed to only give the image "direction". We can give the image a finish.

Having not been on this site long:
It makes me cringe how many people look for a filter, plugin or script to do what takes skill. There is no quick fix for photo's. You need to train your eye to what looks correct and find the methodology to give you the best result. Most of the greatest retouchers use the skills described on this site. Some people just need to get some finesse.

[KR1156]

also...don't read into that quote too literally, but you get the point.

[klassylady25]

Don't cringe. In time, if it's not a passing thing, the artist will learn that the only way that skill grows is through lots of fanny sitting time!! I came to Retouch Pro, oh... about 5 years ago and I couldn't believe the skill that I saw. Filters, plugin, and scripts have their place in the learning process, but I agree with you, training your eye to see what needs to be seen takes time.

Flora once told me to just keep working because everyone is at a different skill level. To be patient, read, learn, and try what works for me.

I took that to heart and so should we all: Everyone is at a different skill level. Be patient, read, learn, and try what works best for you. After you have some knowlege and you'll know when that is - you won't have to be pompus or egotistical, but you will have to be a teacher. Our gifts keep on being passed around.

My two cents worth.

Hugs,
Candy

[rooster]

Hi guys & gals Rooster here have never posted before just read lots of posts thought I would give the headshot a go am using cs2 btw

[e-six]

Hey everyone,
Here is my version. Your comments are welcome.
This is my first post,
Thanks

[wojtek]

Originally Posted by kona

I really like that look, you did that all in lab mode?

Care to share some steps you used if you remember?

Elo,

Yes, everything was done in Lab Mode in this picture http://ciebiera.eu/retusze/labdragan/.

In RGB I could achieve the same effect in 5-10 minutes. LAB mode was just for fun and took me about 1,5 hour. For sure I don't remember steps (many curves I suppose on channels, Soft Light). The only thing I remember was that one of those channels A or B is responsible for presenting proportion between blue and some warm channel.

My advice, don't do this in LAB mode, it's not worth doing it

[Ronnie.]

First post and thought id jump right in.
Not sure if my picture ifs this topic ?

Ronnie

[jay730]

Hey guys didnt really spend too much time on this maybe 15mins still needs alot of work to get it right but heres a quick edit i did...

http://i28.tinypic.com/2hno0h0.jpg

[Toriat100]

Hi, I would really appreciate if any one could take a min or two to critique this retouch. I am just starting out learning retouching, although have done design for a few years previous, and Photoshop for many years, but my 'retouching' is in very early days and I'm very keen to learn...please do be brutal if necessary! I'll appreciate it!

Many thanks

[Ronnie.]

Not to bad, i think the right pupil needs to be lighter but a part from that it looks ok.
Ronnie

[ultra429]

Here is my attempt. I am always trying to perfect skin, to maintain texture while diminishing imperfections.

Retouched