Glass Glare & Prosthetic Eye

[nsteager]

Hi! I am a long time admirer of this site but this is my first post. Please be as critical as necessary. I am a former graphic designer however my art is vector based so although I am familiar with the tools of PS I am not very comfortable with retouching techniques or working with portraits - but I am ready to learn.

My project is a work for a friend. The father in the image has glass glare that I removed (not so well) with the healing brush. However he also has a prosthetic eye and I can't seem to correct. I also took the liberty of doing a PS diet on his face and used liquify to PS double chin-extomy on the mom. I want to give my friend a great print that looks like his family - but on a good day. Should I smooth the skin on these three individuals to glamorize the image? Would you? Guidance is MUCH appreciated.

-Tasha

[albatrosss]

Copied his right eye, flipped it horizontally and move into place.

[nsteager]

Ah... didn't think of that. Should I smooth the skin or is that just pushing it too far? How about slimming the faces. Is it really just a personal preference? Or are there some guidelines so one doesn't go too far?

[0lBaldy]

nsteager, welcome to RetouchPRO, hope you make many new friends here..

My major guideline is.. be aware of the persons preferences and feelings.. some people take great offense that you think they are overweight or need surgery or in need of "Fixing" and may come to the conclusion that you do not like them the way they are!... Some are very proud of their personal attributes that we as professionals see as imperfections and are quickly offended if we change anything.. an example would be a person who has been cross-eyed all their life... to them they would not look natural with straight eyes even though it would look better to most other people who had not become accustomed to the previous look.. These seem to be average folks who are not professional models who are accustomed to having their looks being totally made over into something far from their normal look..

It is almost always best to use a very light touch and always ask the person who you are modifying for their approval before submitting the final picture.. In my opinion you have done good and not modified to the extreme.. just be aware there may be repercussions for your perceived sincere kindness and generous gift... I used to say that the way the lighting was just did not flatter them much.... showed the before and after.. said that I thought this modification made them look a little better.. then let them choose which to get for the final..

Good Luck! I am sure they will Love whatever you come up with!

[albatrosss]

Good points, Baldy.