how to get white, soft skin..help?

[Miss Liz]

i've been wondering how you can get skin that looks pale white. I have tried changing the levels and stuff like that but it doesnt seem to look natural. it has only worked once for me, but i dont know why it wont work on other images. anyway, please help. here is what im talking about:

white skin

white skin again (WARNING: there's nudity)

thanks!

[HighwayStar]

One easy thing i use to do is to first do a black/white conversion of the image..
Then duplicate the original layer and set the blending mode to "linear dodge (add).
After that you can compensate with the opacity slider to get a decent result.
I hope it helps to get you started !

//J

[David Stevenson]

First of all, you can't belong to the black race. Short of that, send an email to Michael Jackson

[BagLady]

As HighwayStar said, duplicate the original layer and desaturate. Try different blending modes (I like overlay) and adjust opacity. You might want to adjust the desaturated layer with curves, levels or saturation. Experiment, experiment, experiment!

[snook305]

Becareful..
Alot of people try and give good advice but the best advice is you know that shot was set-up to turn out like that.
It was lit a certain way and the Girl has nice white powdery make-up etc...
Your typical forum picture of your next store neighbor is not going to come out like that with just a desat layer..
I am some ver similar shots on my site and we planned it all from beginning to have that look. starting wth light then white balance etc..
Snook
I left a little color in b/c I like it better, But you can desat some more.
here are the shot's:
http://homepage.mac.com/ekphotograph...pages/036.html

[BagLady]

Hi Snook,

I agree with you and like your photo... I would never expect to achieve this look only with Photoshop!

There's so much work behind a great image... Casting the right model, selecting the best hair and make-up artist, finding a fantastic stylist that searches showrooms for just the right look... And last, but definitely not least, an amazing photographer that always comes up with new, creative ideas, that finds fabulous locations or creates the perfect light in studio! All that work for one image, editorial or catalog... not easy!!! Then, there's post production... Shall I continue?

I think that posting a "suggestion" might help others in one way or another. It's up to the user to decide if it's helpful or not.

[Miss Liz]

I am sure it can be done in photoshop and not just set up to be done that way. I know most people probably do do it that way. I did it on a couple of pictures. Here's one example. And I did NOT blur the skin even though it looks blurred.

Here

[saby]

Hi Liz,

go over these threads:

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...need-help.html

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...midt-look.html

U'd find it usefull