Mastering Retouching DVD by Nick Saglimbeni.

[rizkhanpsy]

What do you think guys would it be better then High End Retouching series 2.

Check this out : http://www.learnretouching.com/index.php

[Flashtones]

If Nick wants to create a little buzz around here (no reason he shouldn't) I think he should pass his product by a well respected member of this forum for review.

[mikedimples]

From the "proof" section of the website, it looks like the technique is a derivative of degrunge/high pass separation/frequency separation. Buy this DVD if you want to retouch like Maxim, but buy Natalia's if you want to retouch like Vogue.

Also, I'm not sure if this reflects the level of technique in the rest of the DVD, but video demonstrated manual masking a hue saturation adjustment layer onto the bra when the color selection tabs of the hue/sat layer or even a color range selection would be more efficient.

[Nick Saglimbeni]

Hey guys,

Matt told me you were chatting over here, so I thought I would drop in and say hello. I'm also happy to answer any questions about the DVD while its still in the pre-order phase, because I realize it's hard to size it up properly when it's not yet available.

Originally Posted by Flashtones

If Nick wants to create a little buzz around here (no reason he shouldn't) I think he should pass his product by a well respected member of this forum for review.

I absolutely agree, Flashtones. If you'd be so kind (and this is open to anyone), please familiarize me with some of the most respected members/mods/admins on here, and I will arrange for them to receive an advance copy.

As a fellow photographer and retoucher myself, I understand the risks of glossy-looking websites that claim to do everything and often do nothing—I've been a victim of them myself. That's primarily why I've been beta-testing the series with no less than 10 photographers and retouchers, and I assure you I have no intention of blowing smoke up your asses.

And to respond to Mike's comment, I fully understand your point of view given the marketing direction I've chosen to take with Mastering Retouching. I certainly don't hide the fact that I've made my mark primarily as a glamour photographer. But I would encourage you to look at the fashion, portrait, and cinematic work on both my personal site and on Slickforce as well. I believe this system can be customized to fit your style and workflow...I am by no means trying to create an army of retouchers that make everything look like my own work.

The primary reason I created the DVD was that I've had an increasing number of both photographers and retouchers who are simply encountering retouching problems for which there is currently little-to-no professional-level information available. Let's face it, everyone's a model now (even if they define that by MySpace pics), so that means there is often a lot more imperfect baggage than a trained model would bring to the table. The look of what's popular is also changing. In my experience, nearly all retouching tutorials are demonstrated on blonde white girls. This seems odd to me, given that an increasing majority of both models and Hollywood starlets are non-white. There is no set of tools for working with different skin-tones or the unique retouching challenges that are associated with various ethnicities. Mastering Retouching teaches on models of white, black, Latina, Asian, and east Indian descent. As Hollywood changes, so must the image-makers.

My system is designed for artists who simply want their clients to always look fantastic (whatever that means to you), and who want to learn a set of protective tools that will arm you to deal with nearly any retouching situation. As a commercial photographer, my belief is that when photographers can learn to protect their clients (by insuring they always look their best), it is in the clients' best interest to stay with you, and success is then the only outcome.

I welcome and encourage your thoughts and responses. Thanks for the audience.

[Nienna]

Wow, when I first entered the site I thought it was a porn site.

Are you serious?

But never mind, I didnt feel like reading it all cuz the colors gave me a head ache. It looks alright but totally not worth 500$ (WTF?).

Natalia's DVD looks alot more promising and in a reasonable price.

[d00dle]

love your portfolio..u should do webinar as promo or something. Photo of Donna Feldman is just amazing.

[gamedonechanged]

Originally Posted by Nienna

Wow, when I first entered the site I thought it was a porn site.

Are you serious?

But never mind, I didnt feel like reading it all cuz the colors gave me a head ache. It looks alright but totally not worth 500$ (WTF?).

Natalia's DVD looks alot more promising and in a reasonable price.

Second that. $500 is pretty overpriced tbh.

[Adam Bartas]

seems reasonable if you want to do porn dvd covers :-)

[Cuervo79]

On the webpage I only see a list about what the topics are (a brief description is later written of each after you press the order button) and a short video with an example as to how to change the color of a bra.

I would definitely say its over priced. Since there isn't anything more to go by other than what I wrote at the top.

I would recommend the OP to search the tutorial area of the forum where he can find some tutorials that cater to some of the topics stated in that dvd series.
For example:
The degrunge technique http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=213

The soft dior look http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=209

(be sure to log out of the forum if you have problems accessing the links)

You can even google and get stuff like this:
Cloning out stretch marks http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=370440
Using the liquify tool http://www.republicofcode.com/tutori...eo/liquify.php

Ofcourse you'll have to invest more time in looking for all of this and most of the stuff isn't given to you in a silver platter, but as Godmother has said (in one way or another) "there are no retouching secrets"

[zganie]

Ya I have to kind of agree with Cuervo,I dont usually comment on this type of stuff,but a little Pricey.But hey if you can get it great!
Theres so much info out there its incredible
Just my opinion
Zganie

[zganie]

Matt you say be fair,when you know the contents,but lets be honest There are literally thousands of people selling this type of content
1) A LOT OF IT IS JUST PURE CRAP AND YOU USUALLY DONT FIND OUT UNTIL YOU PAID FOR IT,tell me how many of you has this happened to at least once.
2)YOU BUY IT AND FIND ITS JUST REPACKAGED INFO< YOU HAVE SEEN BEFORE OR COULD HAVE GOTTEN FOR FREE
I am not saying thats the case with this product,but you can see why people might be skeptical

[gamedonechanged]

Nick has anyone contacted you yet regarding who to give an early copy of the DVD to? Id suggest starting a thread over on MM and give it to someone there too.

I think once that happens then at least that person can say ok it's worth it or no it's not just the frequency seperation methods ect...

No one here really knows whats in the DVD so I think we should

[Nick Saglimbeni]

LOL Wow! Y'all are a tough crowd in here! (Nienna, you almost made my head spin with that comment!) It's alright, I like it—you're gonna keep me on my toes!

Lemme try to address a few points and concerns:

Nick has anyone contacted you yet regarding who to give an early copy of the DVD to?

I'm actually speaking with Doug Nelson to arrange both an advance copy and also a possible session on RetouchPro LIVE.

Wow, when I first entered the site I thought it was a porn site.

LOL I supposed all the ladies on the site could be a bit distracting, and their purpose misunderstood. Having been submerged in the business of mags like Maxim for several years, I think I'm probably a bit desensitized to images of half-naked women (please note that there is no actual nudity anywhere on the site or in the series). We actually shot original content specifically for this series, and I assure you, my sincere purpose in having the models wear swimwear/lingerie is that A) I wanted to feature as much skin surface area as possible, so as to cover topics that others typically don't (but many retouchers need), such as stretchmarks, cellulite, razor bump, and surgery/pregnancy scars, and B) 90% of the customers that have requested my retouching help are men who photograph women.

All that said, I do apologize for any initial shock value. It is unintended.

I would definitely say its over priced.

Cuervo and Zganie, I appreciate your concerns on price, especially given the worldwide economic climate we are in at this moment. As I mentioned earlier, I have heavily beta-tested this series, and one of the items I did discuss with each artist was price point. Because this is a complete system and approach to retouching, as opposed to a plug-in or filter, I feel the price fits the product. My greatest concern, however, is gaining new customers. Please PM me if you're seriously interested in the product, and we can discuss options.

Natalia's DVD looks alot more promising and in a reasonable price.

I actually don't see myself in direct competition with Natalia, as our products target different audiences as well as vastly different aesthetics of photography. I think that Natalia is INCREDIBLY talented, and I hope her product sells through the roof and makes her a fortune! I watched the preview as well, and I think she's got a fantastic tutorial. I strongly believe our products teach different strategies as well as methods or retouching, and I think they will speak to the appropriate audiences.

1) A LOT OF IT IS JUST PURE CRAP AND YOU USUALLY DONT FIND OUT UNTIL YOU PAID FOR IT,tell me how many of you has this happened to at least once.
2)YOU BUY IT AND FIND ITS JUST REPACKAGED INFO< YOU HAVE SEEN BEFORE OR COULD HAVE GOTTEN FOR FREE

Zganie, this has happened to ME many times. However, as a commercial photographer, I also am comfortable with the risk associated with investing in my career. I completely understand your skepticism, and while I can't offer total transparency into a for-sale product, I can tell you that having taught countless retouching classes one-on-one, the Slickforce Technique, at the very least, is a completely original method. Whether you will like it or not, I cannot say, but I promise you that it's not "repackaged info" or something "you could have gotten for free." Again, please feel free to PM me if you're seriously interested in the series.

Alright, thanks again for your time, guys and gals. You're definitely not going easy on me, and I appreciate the honesty. I figure if I can win over even 10% of you, I'm doing pretty well. Let me know if there's anything else I can answer. Happy Holidays!

[gamedonechanged]

Thanks for the detailed reply Nick. Can I ask in terms of the actual process how much of it is presented in an end to end fashion? Not sure if I am wording that right but for example on a previous series which I will not name the topic was skin smoothing and the retoucher started off and then said ok I will fast forward now as you don't want to watch me the whole time.

I can appreciate in some places that might be the case but how much of that can we expect on your series? I like the before and afters. For the 2nd and 3rd pics how long did they take to do? Are those pics ones that will be covered in the series?

Also sent you a pm.

PS Great pic of Game in your avy. I noticed that on your site/blog too.

Cheers

[Nienna]

Happy holidays!

Wish the best for your DVD sales!