Dark, earthy tones

[kotya]

No message

[Cuervo79]

Earthy tones? Can you explain? Are you talking about the "evenness" of the skin or the actual skin tones of the models (them being dark skinned in the first place).

Have you tried using a solid color layer set to color or a gradient map set to color too with 40% opacity?

[Cuervo79]

lol, wow talk about barking back (yeah, the smiley doesn't defuse the bark).

You put a photo with people that are dark skinned in the first place and you seem to think that the photo says it all. I asked what the evenness was and all you can say is "Explain? Just look at the picture. You can also look at older D&G ads and tons of the others."

Yes, the solid color layer set to color affects the highlights specially if you've got completely white parts in the skin. However that's where the gradient map comes in. Have you tried to use multiple layers with different colors and control them via masks?

Seems that if that doesn't work either I'm still not seeing what you mean in the photo.

I have an example here http://www.flickr.com/photos/22489978@N04/3693381168/ is that what you're looking for?

[Cuervo79]

Well one way to tan would be to use a channel mixer layer set to luminosity and then check the monochrome box and use the "blue filter" then lower the opacity to taste. The example you posted has D&B done to the highlights and shadows to exaggerate what's already there.

this example has less "saturation" http://www.flickr.com/photos/22489978@N04/3062494692/

[Cuervo79]

Yeah, seems like I'm not really getting what you're interested in modifying....

Anywho, good luck.

[HelloPiccadilly]

Originally Posted by kotya

Nope, the image you showed is NOT what I am looking for. The colors are too vibrant, not enough details in shadows to judge if it is the technique I am after.

In the attached image, the model is Caucasian, if it make things clearer for you, I do not know.

Also, I will repeat myself: it is not (only) the skin tone I am after. The entire image tonality is what I need.

it would be awesome to see BEFORE for this image))
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/att...0&d=1252667234

[garibaldi]

Well Kotya, no offense but if you dont know what your doing perhaps you should hand it over to someone who does

[garibaldi]

I dunno maybe your attitude just makes you sound like an ass. If in 5 years of being here and in the industry you still cant see that there is no real trick or tone to those images beyond with what didnt start out as really good lighting and controlling contrast, then what do you want us to say. Nothing major going on there in terms of color or tone

[garibaldi]

oh yeah.... almost forgot.... :-)

[garibaldi]

lol nah but in all seriousness, it started in the lighting in thsoe shots. I dont know what you are working on or what it looks like but the samples you posted, that what I see.

[garibaldi]

Look man, no need to get all snippy, your coming into a free online forum where people are more than happy to lend a hand, but your being a little brash and have the attitude like your not having your standards met. SO realx a bit, go back to bed and wake up again on the other side of the bed this time ok.

[kotya]

Garibaldi

I am absolutely relaxed, trust me. What I have is the time pressure. If I can't do it, I will hire retoucher, but I much prefer leaning. So, my time will be better spent somewhere else.

I did change C79's approach with cross split-blends. Not quite what I need, but may work.

[garibaldi]

Ok, its cool i understand. But what I am saying is that those images dont really have a tone per se, its mood is set with the shadow and lighting, everything looks quite natural as far as the color goes, theres no casts or lean to any hue, but the shadows and the areas where the light is focused seems to bring out more of the pop. Aside from the typical dodge and burn answers and color balance, i think its more just setting the feel of the image with a combination of approaches to get an image to talk the way you want it to

[garibaldi]

From what I remember, since you took the examples down, there was harder light, aggressive contrast, and somewhat punchier colors without being nuclear