Sourcing large images for retouch practice

[nick24a]

Hi guys. I see allot of people on the forums talk about how retouching large file images is very different to smaller size images. What is so different? But my main question would be, where can we get some large image files of good quality to practice with. I have trawled Deviant art and stock image sites but they are either small files or retouched final images. Any ideas?

[amica999]

Have a look here: http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=469342

[0lBaldy]

Nick, Welcome to RetouchPRO Hope you enjoy your stay here and make lots of friends. Looking forward to more of your participation..

A few sources for free pictures:

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...tml#post227628

http://www.lipstickfetish.org/forum/...pic.php?t=9579

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...back-raws.html

royalty free stock photos:
http://www.sxc.hu/index.phtml
http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php

Another good source is the Government @ "The Library of Congress "

I searched with: head-and-shoulders (with - dashes -)
I got 8224 records... clicked Purple button that says "Preview Images" ... went through the pages
Use your own search words for access to about a million digitized photos

From the Gov Site you can get a higher resolution JPEG of the comparison below here
and download the uncompressed archival TIFF of the same picture from here

This may be a bad example but it does show the difference in quality.. Keeping your work invisible on a high quality work piece might be a bit more difficult.

Comparison

[nick24a]

Thanks Amica ill look into that site. Wow Olbaly thanks alot for all you information im sure it will help alot of us find some great images to practice on.

[Quantum3Studio]

Well... The difference is not the big file, just get a headshot taken with a very sharp lens and a 10mp camera and you will get lot of blemish to remove, more than a full body shot taken with a 21mp camera =D

[d00dle]

wow! awesome.

[0lBaldy]

Originally Posted by nick24a

Hi guys. I see allot of people on the forums talk about how retouching large file images is very different to smaller size images. What is so different? But my main question would be, where can we get some large image files of good quality to practice with. I have trawled Deviant art and stock image sites but they are either small files or retouched final images. Any ideas?

For a good comparison of the difference of a high quality Jpeg (4 Meg) http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...tml#post235122
and an out of camera DNG image (41 Meg) http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...tml#post235315

[Quantum3Studio]

You canlook for Katanaz Stock in Deviant Art. cannot remember the name, but Google will correct it. You will find photos taken with a hasselblad and phase one cameras. Very good images about fashion.

[nick24a]

Thanks guys for all your replies and help. its much appreciated.