Pictures to retouch?

[Heavynne]

My question is where do you find your pictures to retouch? Do u use stockphotos or pictures u made yourself? Because i can't find any good pictures to retouch. I want to get better in, well nog one thing; smooth skin(not blurry), nice colours, adding makeup etc. But most pictures models already have tons of makeup on, so theyre skin is smooth etc and there is nothing more to retouch.

I see a lot of people using pictures from photographers but i'm never sure if i can use them or not. (and yes, i asked those (on dA) but i don't have any answers yet)

So, please help me sorry i guess there already are thousands of threads like this but yeah

[Der_W]

Hello Heavynne,

you could for example take a look here on RetouchPRO here: http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...s-retouch.html, here: http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...back-raws.html and here: http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...-practice.html.
Or try http://www.modelmayhem.com/t.php?forum_id=18 sometimes they give free RAW files out just watch out for the conditions to use them.

[nightingallow]

You could try going to a used book store and buy fashion magazines before 1991 and scan em in. Of course you can't post the work online but it might be alright to show as a portfolio piece in person, or perhaps have a lot of the image cropped.
Another option is to take some simple portraits for an aspiring actor or model, in exchange for rights to use a photo or two in your portfolio. You might even get a future client this way. If you're not a camera savy person, now might be the time to practice! Make sure the person signs some kind of release or written permission if you plan to post it.
Hope this helps,
Bonnie

[MooNy214]

http://www.flickr.com/search/advanced/

Tick:
Safe Search moderate
Phtos/videos
only Photos
Only search within Creative Commons-licensed content
Find content to modify, adapt, or build upon

And search by tags or words: Studio portrait, girl portrait, woman, etc... Good resolution and quality, without full copyright

Ofc, if you want to usee them comercially, be sure you tick that row

[Quantum3]

I asked the same thing in Model Mayhem and got several photographers getting in touch with me just few minutes ago, so I don't get any picture from them yet, but in progress. You should do the same

[manoli13]

0lBaldy postet some nice Links here:

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/non...etouching.html

http://www.lipstickfetish.org/forum/...pic.php?t=9579
for example has a lot of female hi-res head-closeups to practice.

Hope it will help You!