Retouching Effects

[Tareq]

Hi all,

I would like to see what effects do you like with retouching, we all prefer something, so let's share techniques here and see the effects and results.

Original:
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2033/a0000404o.jpg

Retouched:
1.
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/204/a0000404.jpg

2.
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/9200/a00004042.jpg

3.
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/1327/a0000404bw.jpg


So which one do you prefer overall, and what another effects do you really would like to see?

[Insensitive.]

I prefer the 1st and the 3rd. But the darkness under is eyes is distracting.

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by Insensitive.

I prefer the 1st and the 3rd. But the darkness under is eyes is distracting.

Thanks!

My mistake, i didn't mask the face or my retouch has its cons sides as well.

[igot2pman]

(1) I like the first ones concept the best, but I don’t think I like the yellow cast. Typically, you want to use castrating colors, I prefer a cool blue (#73819e color fill [overlay]) which contrasts the pale yellow stripe. it will also darken you BG, nicely.

(2) This grungy look I prefer with a grungy background. But I like the effect.

(3) When it comes to B&W, shadows and gradients replace color. It’s a good picture; just think the shadows are "simple." Keep shadows in mind when shooting for a B&W.

Great capture,
-Keven

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by igot2pman

(1) I like the first ones concept the best, but I don’t think I like the yellow cast. Typically, you want to use castrating colors, I prefer a cool blue (#73819e color fill [overlay]) which contrasts the pale yellow. it will also darken you BG, nicely.

(2) This grungy look I prefer with a grungy background. But I like the effect.

(3) When it comes to B&W, shadows and gradients replace color. It’s a good picture; just think the shadows are "simple." Keep shadows in mind when shooting for a B&W.

Great capture,
-Keven

(1) Yes, i think cooler is better, but some love warmer portraiture, maybe i didn't use warm filter but that yellow cast is not lovely i think, sorry.

(2) I agree here, next time i will be sure to have different textured background to give that grunge effect better look [even i was not thinking to make it as grunge look, just the effect i liked and really don't know how i did it completely or how to do it properly].

(3) Didn't understand this point, but the problem is which photos can be converted to B&W without issues, or there is rules to have colored photos to be good to convert it to B&W?

Thanks for those comments and critiques Keven, will help me more next time!

Tareq

[igot2pman]

HERE is a picture with very good shadow complexity and gradients. Complexity does not mean more lights, although it can.

Its not an issue, any image can be converted to B&W. Its just that a very GOOD B&W is mostly shoot to be B&W.

-Keven

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by igot2pman

HERE is a picture with very good shadow complexity and gradients. Complexity does not mean more lights, although it can.

Its not an issue, any image can be converted to B&W. Its just that a very GOOD B&W is mostly shoot to be B&W.

-Keven

Ah ok, thanks again!
Appreciate it so much :-)

[crex]

My Vote is
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2033/a0000404o.jpg

[wooow]

I knew before i looked at where you'r from, that's an arabian boy.

grate shot, I love the light

but from my perspective I don't consider this as a retouching!

[0lBaldy]

Of the different versions that were manipulated I think I prefer #3.

A suggestion about composition.. If you are going to include the hand holding the chin.. it might look a little better shooting in portrait mode and include the arm and elbow, so the hand does not come out of nowhere and look as if it might belong to somebody else.

You said to share techniques and see the effects and results so I did a couple examples for you..
first is the original (so an original is posted in the thread).. second one I just cleaned up using the patch tool, softened a bit, and did some dodge and burning, then added a bit of film grain (Creating a Smooth Skin Boy).. third was a Richard Houtby Dragan Effect action (Creating a Rougher Looking Young Man)

[Tareq]

Yes, we are in Arabian region.
Great, this is what i look for, more comments and critiques, i left the space for anyone to crop to a proper composition or perspective, and about the retouch all are welcome to retouch whatever, but i hope the retouch is not going so overdone and be so manipulation like changing the eyes or hair colors, but if that is necessary then fine.
I want to learn more, so i did that to see more about retouching, i can add many photos of that pity boy for retouch but almost all will be the same lighting mostly but poses are different unless you look for different lighting to play with.

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by 0lBaldy

Of the different versions that were manipulated I think I prefer #3.

A suggestion about composition.. If you are going to include the hand holding the chin.. it might look a little better shooting in portrait mode and include the arm and elbow, so the hand does not come out of nowhere and look as if it might belong to somebody else.

You said to share techniques and see the effects and results so I did a couple examples for you..
first is the original (so an original is posted in the thread).. second one I just cleaned up using the patch tool, softened a bit, and did some dodge and burning, then added a bit of film grain (Creating a Smooth Skin Boy).. third was a Richard Houtby Dragan Effect action (Creating a Rougher Looking Young Man)

Thank you very much for the retouched and the action, so interesting!