New to retouch - Critiq

[Ringo923]

Hi,

I'am new to retouching but I really enjoy it. So fun to see the progress so clearly when working on an image. Trouble is its easy to get carried away.

Theese 2 are my most recent retouches Ive done today. I assume I've overdone alot but its hard to tell by myself so I'am asking you guys for help.

Theres also a problem that I'am colorblind, so the colors might be of, but I try to avoid to mess with the colors as much as possible. But I've ordered some special lense that will hopefully help me in the future to distinguish some colors.
(Iam not completly colorblind)

http://i.imgur.com/qqadGZo.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xG3RFRy.jpg

[stormyboy]

Re: New to retouch - Critiq

I'm not sure which of the images are retouched, but in both cases I prefer the version on the left.

Tom

[klev]

Re: New to retouch - Critiq

You went a bit heavy on sharpening the first. I wouldn't replace the background, but if you do try to pay attention to the scale of any texture and depth of field relative to the original shot. You also want to fix the weirdness around the hair, which can be tedious. Sometimes you just have to remove whatever doesn't work and paint in wisps. I don't see how you really improved it. Aside from the blemishes I prefer the unedited version. I typed "the first" earlier, but that was misleading.

The problem is that adjustments which make no improvement to the image and those that are poorly executed have the tendency to make the image look worse. It looks like it was done purely for practice, but I think you could have executed that stuff a bit better.

With the second image I guess the contrast adjustment could be considered something, but you brought out some blotchiness in the background. Some things like that are sort of not obvious prior to image adjustments, but if they're noticeable in the final version, you should fix them.

[skoobey]

Re: New to retouch - Critiq

Keep practicing.

[Ringo923]

Re: New to retouch - Critiq

You went a bit heavy on sharpening the first. I wouldn't replace the background, but if you do try to pay attention to the scale of any texture and depth of field relative to the original shot. You also want to fix the weirdness around the hair, which can be tedious. Sometimes you just have to remove whatever doesn't work and paint in wisps. I don't see how you really improved it. Aside from the blemishes I prefer the unedited version. I typed "the first" earlier, but that was misleading.

The problem is that adjustments which make no improvement to the image and those that are poorly executed have the tendency to make the image look worse. It looks like it was done purely for practice, but I think you could have executed that stuff a bit better.

With the second image I guess the contrast adjustment could be considered something, but you brought out some blotchiness in the background. Some things like that are sort of not obvious prior to image adjustments, but if they're noticeable in the final version, you should fix them.

Thanks alot. Ill remember that til my next retouch.

Edit: Started a new one http://i.imgur.com/CIiVIdG.jpg.. Iam i off to a better start?