Skin...what do you think..

[PeterWright]

I have been working on skin tones of late and came across this before/after by a local retoucher - I think the level of smoothing is very good but would like to know what you guys think the process might have been and what you think of the retouch..

Kristi-flowe-before-and-after1.jpg

[flexmanta]

Impossible to tell at this size. But don't worry, you can do that, that was easy skin. Just when you do it, don't let the neck be that much brighter than the face

[krypticide]

A little oversmoothed to me, but maybe that's what you're going for.

[PeterWright]

Originally Posted by krypticide

A little oversmoothed to me, but maybe that's what you're going for.

Looking at the original it looks to me as though there was not that much texture in the first place, so not easy to judge.

[crazyfly1]

Not sure what it is but it looks to me like the second was made in Poser. I'm with flexmanta, I'd like to see them larger.

[PeterWright]

Originally Posted by crazyfly1

Not sure what it is but it looks to me like the second was made in Poser. I'm with flexmanta, I'd like to see them larger.

What makes you think it is rendered in Poser ?

[pinetreefolio]

Hi. Too much blur. Needs more texture. Watch the difference between lips and skin in texture. It's unreal.

[_jason_]

Synthetic skin texture!
The next step in retouching is bringing back dirt to the (even by nature) perfect surfaces.

This week:

Special Offer!
Wrinkels & Dark Shadows Pack 1 to 3
30% Discount !

.

[PeterWright]

Originally Posted by _jason_

Synthetic skin texture!
The next step in retouching is bringing back dirt to the (even by nature) perfect surfaces.

This week:

Special Offer!
Wrinkels & Dark Shadows Pack 1 to 3
30% Discount !

.

You sure hit the nail squarely on the head there.. ;-)

[_jason_]

If you order today, you get bonus:
"Blemishes Pro" for FREE !

[PeterWright]

Originally Posted by _jason_

If you order today, you get bonus:
"Blemishes Pro" for FREE !

:-)

You have a winner there...

[PeterWright]

I took a crop of this image - when I look at it I see plenty of texture when viewed at this size..

Do you still really think this is too blurred ?

Kristi-flowe-before-and-aftercrop.jpg

[pinetreefolio]

Nose and cheek are mate, while the lips and all are glowing. And it's loosing volume. But that depends for what you want the image for.

[_jason_]

If there is any texture you can bump it out and intensify with the High Pass Filter.

Btw: The image actually expresses some "Barby" feeling. This comes from the makeup colors, which are "plastic style" and the wide open eyes with some artificial looking lashes.

That may be the reason why it gives the illusion of being a fake. It is also very symmetrical, which is quite seldom in reality.

The picture really could profit from some structure or/and shine. And probably some tricky other inconsistencies (like tweaking the symmetry a bit).

Also the nose is very critical. You should give it more shadow and some "shape".

Well yes, it's really adding some dirt!
I get very often the impression that some (most) retouches would profit from keeping or even adding some inconsistencies with certain intention. It's all too perfect.

.

[_jason_]

By the way, this picture is very interesting in my opinion!
Because it actually playes with: "To fake or not to fake."

It's anyhow like an intended persiflage of the retouching paradigms.

The colors for the makeup are all out of order. Like applied by someone who is actually color blind or wanted to suggerate "perfect imperfection". They do not fit right. A provocation which should be intesified to give just more tension.

I mean, the entire expression of the picture is slightly "joking" or with other words somehow interesting ironic. (At least to me.)

I like it.

Try to make the lipstick color green!
(That's actually not meaned as a joke. Just to intensify that surrealistic provocative expression.)

.

[PeterWright]

Originally Posted by _jason_

If there is any texture you can bump it out and intensify with the High Pass Filter.

Btw: The image actually expresses some "Barby" feeling. This comes from the makeup colors, which are "plastic style" and the wide open eyes with some artificial looking lashes.

That may be the reason why it gives the illusion of being a fake. It is also very symmetrical, which is quite seldom in reality.

The picture really could profit from some structure or/and shine. And probably some tricky other inconsistencies (like tweaking the symmetry a bit).

Also the nose is very critical. You should give it more shadow and some "shape".

Well yes, it's really adding some dirt!
I get very often the impression that some (most) retouches would profit from keeping or even adding some inconsistencies with certain intention. It's all too perfect.

.

"Blemish Pro" perhaps ?

[_jason_]

No. really. Add some structure and definition.
I finished joking for today.

Retouching ends often much too flat. Its like hunting for perfectionism.
But perfectionism is always boring. Perfectionism has no real beauty. It's artificial by nature.

.