Retouching textured leather

[Ikiri]

Hi,

How would you go about retouching leather? I mean "rough" leather with a lot of texture where the overall lighting & crinkles needs to be smoothed out.
Same as skin – i.e. Frequency separation I guess, no?

[Mike Needham]

Found this old thread, whilst not directly applicable it should be suitable I think Wrinkled Leather

[Ikiri]

Thanks for the link –*yep, Frequency Separation it is

[kav]

"Frequency separation" isn't a real solution. It's something that may seem like a catch all until you notice trails and other things that I always see from it. I'd just take it in pieces. Rebuild the worst areas first. Burn and dodge some of the softer bits. Shade to taste and done. It's not that mysterious if approached correctly.