That Soft Dior Look for Portraits

[r3v6n]

Great tutorial

[ray12]

Im considering the possibility of updating the content on this tutorial...does anyone have any suggestions or desires on what direction I might take it?

Thanks Ray12

[pixelzombie]

can you get similar results without blurring and expand the section on adding/making texture as that seems to be the one step that is difficult to do right...

[The Baron]

Just been through the tutorial. Fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

[ray12]

Thanks for your kind comments.

Ray12

[SteveB2005]

So basically in high end retouching, art directors don't want to see nor allow any blurring filters to do a basic "smooth over" to get more of a gradient look before a texture mask is applied? Are there exceptions to this? I have seen ads in LA that are looking for high end retouchers that stipulate, Absolutely NO BLURRING! hehe

Anyway, I would assume that high end fashion images shot with 39 MP Hassys capture skin pores so well that there must be some type of smoothing to even things out. I doubt images at those resolutions would need added texture masks.

There are some decent retouching lessons on Lynda.com, but it probably is not focusing on more pro techniques that would work for pre-press, but a good place to start.

I have shot some fashion type models with my Canon 30D and I can get very good pores and skin textures and I always have a makeup artist. Of course an 8MP DSLR is not going to capture the quality that the Hassy will, but for decent shots, it's not bad.

It would be cool if there were more high end retouching classes at adult education schools or weekend seminars available to pick up some techniques and tips. Some more DVD's that cover this subject are definitely needed. Just some thoughts

[ray12]

Thanks for the comments Steve.

Art directors are interested in the LOOk and not how you got there necessarily. Blurring and transparent curves are used to even and smooth colors throughout the face area alot and to get skin-tone evenness (like applying foundation in makeup)...then as long as its applied non-destructively and transparently..then you can still see the pores and it doesnt look so plastic. Some of the older 1st generation techniques I shared here are being enhanced with adjustment layer techniques.

If you dont use non-destructive or transparent methods...then skin pores are added back in afterwards.

Shooting with a Hasselblad or Phase 1 is the way to go. With a 39mb image you CAN get down to the skin pore level at reasonable magnifications and do some incredible work.

One of the most exciting advances ive seen recently is makeup artists using an airbrush to apply foundation. If you dilute it with water alot, the coloring is able to go into the pores themselves and to color inside the skin texture...rather than sitting on top of the skin and clogging it up like regular drug store foundation. It only costs $50 a shoot...but talk about getting perfect skin texture!!

Ray12

[Brownie127]

Ray12, you said you may update your article.

I am particulary interested to learn a little more in Step1 regarding using Curves then using Levels. I cannot understand why Curve midpoint adjustment should be used first to get corrected mid tones. I am confused because then using the Levels mid point slider (the next stage of Step1), appears to do the same thing. Could you let me know how to examine and adjust for the differences of this two adjustments?