Improving skin... Techniques for the body

[P_fuzz]

Originally Posted by BagLady

Ciao Javier,

Yes, please explain... I thought it was used to scale objects or text in a nondestructive manner. From what you say, it seems as though it might come in handy with the multiple degrunge high pass layers as suggested by Cuervo.

you can find "convert to smart object" under your layer's palette, or option+click the layer you want to convert! after that all the filters apply to this layer will become editable "sub-layers"

is that what you asked? or am I crazy?

[BagLady]

Ciao P_fuzz,
no, you're not crazy but maybe I am! ... I was simply trying to understand Javier's suggestion (post #34) on using smart objects for applying filters and making adjustments!

[sirespen]

Or maybe he converts the layers to smart objects so that he can use smart filters...

[Cuervo79]

Originally Posted by BagLady

It sounds like in interesting technique... It's still hard to see the skin texture in the 100% crop that you've linked. The skin is obviously smoother, but I can't see the pores. Good call on the slight hair desat. I prefer the original lip color, and would have done more d&b in the chin area. Her eyes look a bit bloodshot. But hey, that's my opinion!

Turns out flickr resized my photo so it isn't a 100% crop, the temp link (I'll remove it in a week) is this http://www.podergt.com/sigs/01.jpg

The eyes aren't blood shot but I guess I need to start seeing that as "need to change" on a normal basis. waiting on your opinions.

Regarding your smart objects question, if I'm not mistaken the smart filters come into play in CS3 right? smart filters you use with smart objects where you can edit the settings done to them. First you convert a layer to a smart object and after you apply the filters, they become attached to the layer in the layer window in a drop down menu, you can also make them invisible if you want like layer FX.

Cheers

[P_fuzz]

Originally Posted by BagLady

Ciao P_fuzz,
no, you're not crazy but maybe I am! ... I was simply trying to understand Javier's suggestion (post #34) on using smart objects for applying filters and making adjustments!

ciao,

that is what it is, you use the smart filters on the layers so you can always go back.... but you cant apply adjustments on them, only shadow/highlight.

hey I like this forum.... I've been learning a lot and I only discovered this in 3 weeks!!!

[BagLady]

Thanks for the explanation, P_fuzz!

The learning process is never ending, and this is a great place to find an infinity of useful information and very friendly people!

[sirespen]

:::amen:::

[BagLady]

Originally Posted by Cuervo79

Turns out flickr resized my photo so it isn't a 100% crop, the temp link (I'll remove it in a week) is this http://www.podergt.com/sigs/01.jpg

The eyes aren't blood shot but I guess I need to start seeing that as "need to change" on a normal basis. waiting on your opinions.
Cheers

Much better... Now we can see your work! I think the skin looks nice. Maybe "bloodshot" was a bit harsh... Let me put it this way: I would remove the red blood vessels and whiten the eyes a bit. But again, this is my humble opinion!

[BagLady]

We've only been talking about the degrunge technique, nevertheless I've been enjoying this thread! I'm always happy to learn something new!

How about a bit of discussion on non blurring techniques for the skin? I use D&B, which gives excellent, natural results but would like pick your brains on skin (color) correction with channels and/or numbers. I seem to have problems with using values and numbers and can't grasp this technique... Is it more effective than creating a selective color adjustment layer (for evening out skin tones)?

Any comments on your D&B techniques are also welcome!

Thanks in advance!

BagLady

[sirespen]

Originally Posted by Cuervo79

Turns out flickr resized my photo so it isn't a 100% crop, the temp link (I'll remove it in a week) is this http://www.podergt.com/sigs/01.jpg

The eyes aren't blood shot but I guess I need to start seeing that as "need to change" on a normal basis. waiting on your opinions.

Regarding your smart objects question, if I'm not mistaken the smart filters come into play in CS3 right? smart filters you use with smart objects where you can edit the settings done to them. First you convert a layer to a smart object and after you apply the filters, they become attached to the layer in the layer window in a drop down menu, you can also make them invisible if you want like layer FX.

Cheers

Yes it looks nice! Did you use only Highpass layers or also something else?

[Cuervo79]

Originally Posted by sirespen

Yes it looks nice! Did you use only Highpass layers or also something else?

its a combo of D&B (used it in a small area mostly below the lip and below the right eye, got frustrated) healing, clone (used as a start) and the highpass (degrunge) technique it has the 4 layers there applied selectively on each

To Bag Lady, don't worry about your opinion, I like directness. I'm always open to learn new stuff and I like feedback on my work (which I ask very little of since I still feel I need lots of improvement) you're not the first to mention the whitening of the eyes. I made a thread about another topic where I put the same photo as an example and another person commented on the eyes, now that its 2 I'll start taking care of whitening the eyes from now on.

Thanx

[BagLady]

D&B can actually be relaxing (or less frustrating) if you blast some of your favorite tunes and work with the beat!

[sirespen]

loooooool Yeah, I listen to "La traviata"

[Cuervo79]

lol, well I started this thread about what to do to keep the "frustration" down or refresh it here http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...o-resting.html I normally have different stuff to relax me, from music to the tv (yes it relaxes me just listening to it) or put on dvd's (same thing as the tv)
Still since D&B is so slow, I have not done it completely on a photograph I've just done it in small places, that's why I use the degrunge technique most of the time.

[sirespen]

hihi, Try Bob Marley - Buffalo Soldier

[BagLady]

Originally Posted by Cuervo79

To Bag Lady, don't worry about your opinion, I like directness. I'm always open to learn new stuff and I like feedback on my work (which I ask very little of since I still feel I need lots of improvement) you're not the first to mention the whitening of the eyes. I made a thread about another topic where I put the same photo as an example and another person commented on the eyes, now that its 2 I'll start taking care of whitening the eyes from now on.

Thanx

Glad no offense was taken! I can be direct at times, but obviously, don't want to offend anyone! My critique is only based on what I would do, which might not be what others would do. I'm sure you won't, but don't go overboard on whitening the eyes, it's a minor imperfection!

Ciao!

BagLady

[BagLady]

Originally Posted by sirespen

hihi, Try Bob Marley - Buffalo Soldier

Good one!

[BagLady]

Originally Posted by Cuervo79

lol, well I started this thread about what to do to keep the "frustration" down or refresh it here http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...o-resting.html I normally have different stuff to relax me, from music to the tv (yes it relaxes me just listening to it) or put on dvd's (same thing as the tv)
Still since D&B is so slow, I have not done it completely on a photograph I've just done it in small places, that's why I use the degrunge technique most of the time.

Interesting thread... Thanks for the link!

[BagLady]

Has anyone seen the October issue of the Italian magazine, Amica? There's an editorial by Christophe Cufos where the model's skin has been left "as is". I actually think there's some extra sharpening going on, which enhances the natural texture and "flaws" (or is it the photography?)! It also appears as though more texture was added to the skin in some of the images. Ultimately, the hair was left alone... Mistake or statement?

[P_fuzz]

sounds like a statement, a good one! would love to see it!

any links?

[BagLady]

Originally Posted by P_fuzz

sounds like a statement, a good one! would love to see it!

any links?

Yes, obviously a statement... I can't imagine overlooking these details!

Sorry, but I can't find these images on line. If I do, I will post them!

Ciao!

[BagLady]

Hey Guys!

I'm quite dissapointed that I didn't receive a response to my post # 69 (in this thread) and am hoping that I don't have to start a new thread! Anyway, here it is again:

We've only been talking about the degrunge technique, nevertheless I've been enjoying this thread! I'm always happy to learn something new!

How about a bit of discussion on non blurring techniques for the skin? I use D&B, which gives excellent, natural results but would like pick your brains on skin (color) correction with channels and/or numbers. I seem to have problems with using values and numbers and can't grasp this technique... Is it more effective than creating a selective color adjustment layer (for evening out skin tones)?

Any comments on your D&B techniques are also welcome!

Thanks in advance!

BagLady

[P_fuzz]

I have just started my first non blur retouch and I am amazed... though still on its early stage and the image wasnt great to begin with... but I am really impressed... both at the results and the labour!!!!

I will post a 100% sample soon so I can get some feedback from the experts here!

[BagLady]

Great! I'm looking forward to seeing it!

[P_fuzz]

One question on that Amy Dresser psd file....
the layer titled Sample white.... where is it sampled from?

[BagLady]

I was wondering the same thing!

[P_fuzz]

BTW... this was posted in anotther thread and is in fact an amazing technical DB tutorial.... not for glamour, but makes everything very logical!
be sure to check the other tutorials... especially the masks one!

Originally Posted by Gewuerz

Tony Kuyper has another good tutorial "The Burn/Dodge Layer Luminosity Painting" http://www.goodlight.us/writing/lumi...ainting-1.html

Gewuerz

[BagLady]

Thanks for posting the link, P_fuzz! It's a great tutorial!

[BagLady]

Ok... I've figured out the color correction with channels (kind of). I've been doing something similar, only I don't insert values.

I make a selective color adjustment layer and adjust individual colors to remove bad skin tones or I make a curve layer and adjust individual channels to remove undesired colors... Using a hide all mask, with a white brush (low opacity), I paint over the bad skin tones.

I can't seem to get the same results by sampling good/bad skin and inserting the values in the input/output box! So, for those of you that are more "visual", this method might give you better results!

Ciao!

BagLady

[Cuervo79]

you mean the imput output on the curves layer?
I read a comment about it and came up after tweaking with these steps
Use the color picker tool with shift pressed so you can leave a point where you're sampling and view the information window so you get the numbers

Sample red blemish (or unwanted color) RGB numbers
Sample normal skin RGB numbers
Open curves
write down each number for the blemish color on the input
write down each number for the normal skin on the output
Make a mask, fill it with black
Paint to taste