pageant retouching

[Out_Of_Focus]

trying to learn pageant retouching.
did not have a good pic to start out with. this kid would not sit still and I dont have any real lighting. shot with a fuji s5000 but what do you all think?

removed background
add eyelashes
whitened eye
smoothed skin

should i have left it tilted like the before?

thanks Brenda

[palms]

Brenda i dont know anything about pageant retouching but i think it looks better untilted, the alignment of the eyes get me and that is what draws my eyes

Palms

[sergio2263]

Originally Posted by Out_Of_Focus

trying to learn pageant retouching.
did not have a good pic to start out with. this kid would not sit still and I dont have any real lighting. shot with a fuji s5000 but what do you all think?

removed background
add eyelashes
whitened eye
smoothed skin

should i have left it tilted like the before?

thanks Brenda

The tilted looks a lot better .

[Steve Payne]

This makes me die inside a little bit...

[0lBaldy]

If you really, really, really want to get onto Pageant retouching..
There are a few things on this picture that could still be done:

Straighten the Irises so they are looking straight into the camera for perfect eye contact..
Shape brows
Define cheek bones, remove baby fat
Add lipstick, lip gloss and correct lipstick line
Grow/straighten the teeth
Reshape shoulder so she is not slouching

Also, I think once the eyes are straightened to look into the camera the un-tilted crop might be better

Just my thoughts!

[amica999]

Originally Posted by Steve Payne

This makes me die inside a little bit...

Second that!

[P_fuzz]

Originally Posted by Steve Payne

This makes me die inside a little bit...

Originally Posted by amica999

Second that!

Add me to this list!

[grannysdc]

Brenda, have you been to pageantphotoretouching.homestead.com (scroll down to see what was done. Scroll farther and click "more samples")

On the same site they have this page: Shooting Snapshots for Pageant Retouching

I do not particularly like this look either but am trying to be supportive and help you with your endeavors

[Out_Of_Focus]

thanks everyone. I dont really like this type of pic myself but there is a little money in it in this area if i can learn to do it right.

[TommyO]

One idea is to differentiate yourself from the other retouchers. Many are there to obtain the higher dollar clients and as a result make some very major changes to the images. There is also a market for those pageant entries with less money, but they still need some very basic changes made. It is often more rewarding work, pays just fine (if you're doing it part-time), and is a way to contribute to the lives of those kids less able to pay the higher dollar.

Regarding your retouch, it sort of falls into the same category as so many retouches we see here. The skin just a little too smooth, the masking could be a bit better around the hair and a few things over-done, i.e. eye whites. However, it is certainly moving in the right direction. Since it's a practice retouch, see if you can have a friend be your "client", and critique it based on how they want it to look. See if you can do what it is they ask for. Be open and honest with each other. If you can satisfy the "client", that's all that matters. What you gain from us here on RP should be technique, not what it should look like.