Review - Beauty and Hair Retouching Series

[mistermonday]

I have just completed a pre-release review of the Beauty and Hair High End Retouching Video discussed in the RP thread located here
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...28330-omg.html and to be imminently released. Attached are my comments in a small zipped pdf file. If you have any questions, please feel free to post here or PM me.
Regards, Murray

[Flashtones]

Thanks for doing this for us, Murray!

Hopefully someone from here will do the same for Calvin Hollywood's and Nick Saglimbeni's once they have them in hand. For myself, a positive review from someone we here at RTP know and trust holds a lot more weight than from someone they know and trust.

It's pretty clear that this product is the top of the heap for beauty retouching. I know this is an abstract question, but with your background as a nature, portrait, and corporate photographer I think you'll get where I'm coming from. How would you say the techniques of this product would carry over to non-beauty retouching? Obviously, not fantasy composites, Dave Hill, or the like, but say for those other endeavors of yours: nature, portrait and corporate, etc. Obviously, portraiture is a pretty close corollary, but how far out from there do you think the usefulness would extend?

Thanks. And feel free to PM your reply if you'd like.

[mistermonday]

Hi Todd and thanks for the great question. That's one I had meant to work into the Q&A. I view Natalia's flow as one type of "If you want it perfect, do it this way" process. It represents a "best-in-class" approach to do a very high end beauty retouch. I don't mean that everything in it must be followed literally but if you follow the concepts you can take the image to where she does. Perhaps I might substitue my method of D&B but it will still be a pixel by pixel D&B.
Now to answer your question. I have times when evry one wants a perfect retouch butt here is neither enough money or time available. I can follow the main path / sequence but when it comes to D&B, I might substitue a Degrunge or use some other Blur technique. I can downgrade many of the processes in the flow because we all now how to do things the quick and easy way in PS. All of the practices in the DVD can be carried over. In fact section 08 called Extras is full of stuff that Natalia would never use in a beauty retouch and included them as extras because she knows most of our clients do not have exclusively top end requirements.
Tks & regards, Murray

[HLP]

@Murray: how many (different) pictures does natalie retouch at her new dvd?

[mistermonday]

There is one model for the main retouch, a different model for the Extras section, and a third model for the tow Hair videos. That 3rd model has two totally different poses - one showing sideways head with straight hair and te 2nd pose showing much more of her body with a side and front view.
Regards, Murray

[doctorontop]

Thanks Murray a good and useful review I know Natala's work from another site combined with the help she has freely given to others on that site and a very useful inverted HP technique amongst many other tip's she shared with us all I pre-ordered the DVD. I have been using PS for a number of years now and always want to learn more. I hold the view that Natalia produces work to a very high standard. You're review has just reaffirmed my existing expectation that their will be no cause for disappointment.

I know the release date will be soon.....Still not soon enough if you ask me

[mistermonday]

Thanks Doctorontop. I know the site you refer to and I agree with all your comments. Hopefully these last days of waiting will pass quickly.
Regards, Murray

[Godmother]

ok... first of all.

Murray, thank you, honestly. I wasn't expecting such a detailed and thought out review I'm giving you an E on exceed expectations too

For everyone else, I hope this helps you make an informed decision.

PS: thank u doctortorontop too (Ppl I wouldn't take his word tho, he is biased because we like eachother JK)

xx

[Flashtones]

MisterMonday, Murray, should also get an M for being da Man!

Can someone link here too when Solstice has given his review?

[mistermonday]

The document attached at the top of this thread has been updated to include some additional info as well as some answers to questions I received.
Regards, Murray

[Godmother]

Originally Posted by Solstice Retouch

I just finished with the DVD, I am now writing my review. I hope to finish it tonight.

Wow is an understatement.

He is on it!
x

[gamedonechanged]

So today is the 29th, are they going to begin shipping today?

[limelight]

Hey,

my day is almost over (it's 7:30 P.M. here in Germany) and Vitaly should be up at 10:30 A.M. ...


... he is! Just got an eMail this very moment. Download will be available today. DVD has a 15 day delay, due to quality issues. You can switch to the download version if you like.

[samireivinen]

I just got email, that download is avaible (i have prepurchased the download). However i can't find it anywhere on the site. Where's the link to download?

Anyone knows?

[danzasol]

Same question - I got an e-mail directing me to the site to download, but can't find a download link.

[gamedonechanged]

I ordered the hard copy version but im assuming you would be sent some sort of link or instructions?

[danzasol]

Yes - we received an e-mail entitled "download now". the e-mail says that the download is now available on the website, and gives a link back to the website, but there is nothing to click to download

[Godmother]

Originally Posted by Flashtones

Can someone link here too when Solstice has given his review?

Solstice's review from Model Mayhem is here http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?th...46&page=1#last
for those interested.

x

[dcmcintosh79]

Is it still possible to order the DVD and download it? Natalia, can you comment?

[gamedonechanged]

I think you can still order but deliveries are slightly delayed. A week more or something I think.

[mistermonday]

Actually thos of us who ordered the download rec'd an email informing us that due to technical difficulties the product would be shipped (another 1 1/2 wks from today). The download option has been removed from their web site.
Regards, Murray

[gamedonechanged]

The website is saying Feb 14th so that's next Sunday. Not long to wait I guess. Fingers crossed there are no more delays.

[dcmcintosh79]

Thanks Murray, that's what I was afraid of. Oh well, guess I'll have to wait... Oh how the internet has spoiled us! ;-)

[SymbolPhoto]

We are waiting as well. Can't wait any longer!

[_Steve_]

Is there a download-option on this DVD?....i can't wait to see this...i need it yesterday

[SymbolPhoto]

Does the 14th mean, it ships on that date? Or the online download will be available as well? I hope it doesn't mean it ships on the 14th and we get it whenever...

[mistermonday]

Steve, those of us who ordered the download version were advised by email that there are issues with the download and that we would be shipped a physical DVD. There does not appear to be any commitment to a download version going forward.
SymbolPhoto, the commitment we were given was that DVD's would be shipped by the 14th. That means they expect to ship on or slightly before that date. From that point everyone is at the mercy of the transportation system and if you are an international customer you are at the mercy of local customs.
Regards, Murray

[gamedonechanged]

I emailed them last week and they said we should recieve our tracking numbers on the Friday.

[SymbolPhoto]

Fantastic!

[limelight]

anybody tracking their order yet?