My first retouch - what can i improve?

[Naster]

After hours practising i made my first retouch. I know that isn't perfect. I would be glad if someone would give me way to improve my retouch. What can i do better?

[crazyfly1]

Naster, welcome
If that is your first try after only hours of practice then I say you did a fine job!
Little heavy handed with the virtual makeup (my opinion), Slightly overboard on the nose (again just my opinion). Good job on the masking and taking out the clutter. The overall apearance is good and you did a nice job with the ear and restructuring the face.
Considering that most of us regulars here who fall into the catagory of "enthusiast" are working with years of practice to your hours you really did a splendid work.

[lets_do_retouch]

the second one is too different from the original one..the second photo needs a name.. and it really looks edited..if i only knew the woman on the first photo..i would probably be asking who's on the second?. .its not that bad anyway.. good work for a start..

[ashphotoart]

I agree wit the lets_do_retouch

Second one is going differ than original. One good thing is in retouching that keep naturality and reality of the original picture with very-very good enhancement and cleanups.

I usually keep most of the original expression and detail of the picture.

I do cleanups/color correction/skin enhancement and then light makeup.

Hope you will go very good through this way.

Ash

[Naster]

Thank you very much for answer. Every opinion is important for me.
crazyfly1 i will keep practising. lets_do_retouch - thanks too - i know that 2nd is different than 1st i was thinking that we have to retouch and make the person more perfect. I have seen lots of retouching arts and there are differents if you compare before-after as well. But Thank You very much. I used Canon IXUS75 to take this photo.
Maybe i should buy something with RAW mode. Canon G9? I know that if i want make good retouch i need good source (photo) to get nice texture of skin etc.

[JavierT]

HI Naster and Welcome.

Don´t be in a hurry with retouch. If you are in the beginning, I remember a film tittle that we can apply: Karate Kid. This is the moment to Apply Wax, Polish Wax. With practice, the results will come.

Like CrazyFly says, we have years playing with photoshop, and still learning, everyday, and still applying and polishing wax.

Good try in the beginning.

[Naster]

JavierT thanks. I understand that we can do something years and still not be professional or the best. I try make lots of different retouch using 1 photo (everyone is different after). I know that better if i have good source. But i have no good camera for that. I just download RAW files for retouch learning. Your advice is good : i try not be a hurry. Thanks everyone. Good forum. Nice people.

[skydog]

It's all relative...it depends on what you are trying to achieve and for whom. Practicing is one thing...a customer is another. I would never do this much face reconstruction unless I was specifically asked. I once took a small mole off a customers face which ended up costing me a sale. Good if this is indeed your first attempt. I don't like the transition of the white in the backround around your letters L J. Also too much red in her cheeks..but again it is all relative...that is just my reaction to the photo.

[Naster]

skydog - thanks for your opinion. Every opinion is improtant for me.

[TommyO]

Hello Naster and welcome,

I looked at the retouch from a different perspective…. is there evidence that you followed a normal workflow for retouch ?

Yes and no was my thought.

A normal workflow might be:
1. make overall color corrections;
2. clean up the overall image and remove distractions;
3. make the face symmetrical;
4. reshape and rebuild the body or face;
5. perfect skin, clothing, etc.;
6. enhance eyes, lips, hair;
7. make color corrections to selective areas;
8. correct lighting, focus, sharpness;
9. review time - before final changes and sending sample.

What I see in your image…
1. Yes, maybe a few too many. But, you did experiment and that’s fine.
2. Yes, your interpretation of removing a lot of distractions if fine. Especially on the right side of the image – it was not important to keep her arm, for instance.
3. Not quite here. Look for symmetry you can correct.
4. Yes, a bit much for everyone’s taste. But, again, at least you did experiment. That’s the only way to learn and get the feel for it.
5. Yes. Again, a bit much for most of us.
6. Some. With color aside, I see the eye whites and iris color changes. Not seeing much in the lashes or brows. The eye whites may be a bit too white.
7. Yes. Again, lost with the additional colorization in the cheeks and eye shadow.
8. None. You should use this as your next area for working on.
9. Yes… this is what you have asked us for. That’s good. With constructive feedback you will learn more.

Since most retouchers here follow some industry standards, you may be pushed to steer clear of dramatic changes. But, we realize there is a market for that and often we do not do as good a job critiquing that type work. Keep it up though and develop your own style ! Good luck !

[marliz]

From one newbie to another,
As mentioned, I think it depends on your objective. I find it is fun to glamorize a photo of myself, a friend or family member. I just read a chapter in one of my books on doing just that.

If that was your intention, my comments would be first that you had fun doing this reconstruction and that's a big plus. I like the makeover except something about the eyes bother me; They pop too much. A bit too much eyeshadow? Brows a bit high? A little too much contrast in the whites (but I wouldn't take it down a lot.)

All these color comments also depend on how closely my monitor matches what yours shows you and is offered as my very inexperienced opinion ;-D
Peggy

[Naster]

TommyO - you are the man.
Your opinion is great. Thanks a lot. I'm going to follow your advices.
The true is i didn't keep normal workflow for retouch and this is the problem (just freestyle but i try keep the workflow).

Thank for you opinion. Very important for me.