Retouch challenge - Male headshot

klassylady25 · #76 03-12-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

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 · #77 03-12-2008, 03:18 PM

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 · #78 03-12-2008, 03:39 PM

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 · #79 03-12-2008, 03:45 PM

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 · #80 03-12-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

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 · #81 03-12-2008, 06:09 PM

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

klassylady25 · #82 03-12-2008, 08:52 PM

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 · #83 03-13-2008, 04:00 AM

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 · #84 03-13-2008, 01:23 PM

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

wojtek · #85 03-19-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

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. · #86 03-20-2008, 09:34 AM

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

Ronnie

jay730 · #87 03-20-2008, 04:17 PM

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 · #88 04-27-2008, 10:37 AM

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. · #89 04-27-2008, 10:45 AM

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

ultra429 · #90 04-28-2008, 02:17 AM

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

Retouched