Would anyone like to practice...

[kaba]

Thanks for that Flexmanta. Here goes again.

[thecuke]

I'd like to thank Flexmanta for the pointers. I'd like to note that I do use d&b techniques - in fact most of my time is spent doing this. I admit, too, that I use the smudge tool to take care of splotchiness in skin tone, then use a highpass layer to bring back texture. Obviously I'm learning and honing techniques yet, and will be for quite some time. I sometimes really screw with the colors while other times I only focus on fixing blemishes. I admit I rush to finish something up, but generally end up going back to it to make it portfolio-ready. I realize my work isn't yet of a professional caliber, but I feel I have to have some work to show potential clients who want some basic work done.
Here I've re-worked the image a bit. I did fix some of the hair and shadow issues, but not to any great extent and admittedly with less care.


http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/3366/cleanedit.jpg

[wbphotography]

here is my try ... would love to hear what you think about it

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/...8e8fd115_o.jpg

thanks, tony

[goolug]

You didn't notice she has a beard.

[ungemeinfein]

Originally Posted by wbphotography

here is my try ... would love to hear what you think about it
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/...8e8fd115_o.jpg

Hi,
the skin itself looks quite good, but what is that overall soft glow thing you did on it? No need for that in my opinion. Maybe you could brighten the eyes a little more, they look kind of "dirty". But all together a nice result!

[goolug]

Oh, and plus - ALWAYS clean flyaways in the ears.

[shelly_and_roy]

Probably my last round of working on this one. I worked at almost-full resolution, and continued to experiment with things. The best thing I did was develop the RAW at two exposures: +0.5 ev and +2.0 ev. I used the +0.5 as the basic image and masked in the +2 to pull up some of the shadows around her left (viewer's right) eye.

I also followed goolug's advice about flyaways around the ear.

As before, overall images and details are attached. I recommend uploading before and after as separate images, because it's really helpful to the viewer to be able to flip back and forth between them. Plus, each one can be 100k, rather than having to get both before and after into 1 100k file.

[goolug]

Originally Posted by shelly_and_roy

Probably my last round of working on this one. I worked at almost-full resolution, and continued to experiment with things. The best thing I did was develop the RAW at two exposures: +0.5 ev and +2.0 ev. I used the +0.5 as the basic image and masked in the +2 to pull up some of the shadows around her left (viewer's right) eye.

I also followed goolug's advice about flyaways around the ear.

As before, overall images and details are attached. I recommend uploading before and after as separate images, because it's really helpful to the viewer to be able to flip back and forth between them. Plus, each one can be 100k, rather than having to get both before and after into 1 100k file.

Cool. Great job! Now don't forget about her eyebrows. They're way not perfect.

[shelly_and_roy]

Originally Posted by goolug

Cool. Great job! Now don't forget about her eyebrows. They're way not perfect.

I wasn't able to get a result with them that I was happy with, so, following the first rule of image doctoring, I tried to do no harm.

[goolug]

Originally Posted by shelly_and_roy

I wasn't able to get a result with them that I was happy with, so, following the first rule of image doctoring, I tried to do no harm.

I meant those tiny hair on edges of the eyebrow. Just clone and heal with accurate opacity and micro brushes. Noone will notice. Let it be our secret.

And give her eyes some natural brightness - gently whiten plus brighten up.

[goolug]

Originally Posted by shelly_and_roy

I wasn't able to get a result with them that I was happy with, so, following the first rule of image doctoring, I tried to do no harm.

Here's what I think should be fixed and improved. I know it's kinda stupid to post pictures with instructions, but I'll do my own version right after I post this here.

[goolug]

Here you go.

[OnAir]

Really nice image to work on!

h/r
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/...67f7a229_o.jpg

[spydercam]

Didn't look at this whole thread but from the first page flexmanta, WOW! Nice work man.

[anakngpasig]

flexmanta, damn you're good!!!

here's my futile try

Bigger Copy

[tommythecat]

Quick attempt..

[atarix]

what do you think of this one?
http://atarixdesigns.deviantart.com/...ouch-154339142

[shelly_and_roy]

atarix: I think you did a great job with everything, except the naso-labial folds turned into texture-free patches of plastic. Great job of shaping eyebrows and fixing shadows. I especially like your retouch of the hair.

The before-and-after animation is helpful in pointing out what's different.

[DJSoulglo]

Originally Posted by Quantum3

Bro, if I'm recalling right, you posted a pic of your studio, or something related, and there were some super chairs there. Would you mind to let me know if you did that? 'Cause I'm wanting to buy a new pc chair.

Sorry for the late reaction, totally missed this question. Herman Miller Aeron chairs. Bit pricey, but believe me: this thing will save your back and you'll never ever get sweaty in them. Unless you use them for more "personal" use than just work

http://www.hermanmiller.com/Products/Aeron-Chairs

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by DJSoulglo

Sorry for the late reaction, totally missed this question. Herman Miller Aeron chairs. Bit pricey, but believe me: this thing will save your back and you'll never ever get sweaty in them. Unless you use them for more "personal" use than just work

http://www.hermanmiller.com/Products/Aeron-Chairs

I must say that my memory is quite good, haha. I Googled cool chairs in the Internet and found those, Herman Miller. Such a "casuality"!.

[Amanda_Lauren]

Originally Posted by DJSoulglo

Sorry for the late reaction, totally missed this question. Herman Miller Aeron chairs. Bit pricey, but believe me: this thing will save your back and you'll never ever get sweaty in them. Unless you use them for more "personal" use than just work

http://www.hermanmiller.com/Products/Aeron-Chairs

Totally off subject, But these chairs rock my world. I had them at my old job. I am buying one when I get the money. They make all the difference for someone in our profession, very comfortable. Just had to say that.
Salut,
Amanda

(I am excited to give this image a go today. Whoo-hoo!. Love fresh, high-res, crisp, images. The best. Thanks.)

[Amanda_Lauren]

Here is my go at it-
I definitely see areas for improvement, but I already spent about 8 hours on it or so, and I wanted to post what I had so far. I didn't really touch the hair. There are 3, before, after, and my own creative twist. (I saved layers this time. So feel free to inquire about the details). Constructive criticism welcome. Thanks for the image again, it was a nice challenge.
Salut,
Amanda

[Amanda_Lauren]

And Here are some up close. (My only thing is, I will say the texture on my screen is much better than on these small samples.)

ALD

[tolly888]

Also a little try

http://www.imgbox.de/users/public/images/bqwRwMsnS8.jpg

[W.Smith]

Originally Posted by Quantum3

It wouldn't be better saying that the site's max doesn't fullfil your expectations instead saying that it sucks?

No: photo retouching and restoring requires high res images. So for a photography forum dedicated to retouching and restoration to have a 100KB max attachment size sucks BIGtime!

[Robrasil]

Hi,

I've been reading through this thread as I've been retouching the image. There are several problems I'm aware of, not making full use of the RAW conversion being one of them. It would be great to hear your views and criticisms!

AFTER
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3...chproafter.jpg

BEFORE
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7...hprobefore.jpg

I've certainly been learning from this thread, and website, thanks everyone!

Rob

[adrianablue]

Wanted to give this photo a shot but I can't seem to open a .CR2 file.
I'm new to retouching is there another program besides photoshop that I need in order to open this file?

thx

[lkroll]

You did say practice; I need more. lol

Enjoyed the play.

[Robrasil]

Adriana,

If you go to Adobe.com > downloads > DNG Converter (its on the main page now "lastest updates"), should be what you need. After installing and opening it you can select the CR2 file and it will convert them into the same folder.

Hope this helps

Rob

[adrianablue]

Thanks Rob!