Need help and critique

[Ancientmovement]

Hey guys, this was my first time taking time to retouch a photo.

could somebody give me some critique, and some useful tips to fix those things.

Also I really have no clue how to edit eyes/lips at all, so every kind of advice is welcome.

http://artificialmovement.deviantart.com/art/First-time-time-retouch-DB-379746704?ga_submit_new=10%253A1371870134

[emilmedia]

Re: Need help and critique

Hi man, i think you you did a good job with grading and d&b. But why did you kill the textures in the lips?

[irshgrlkc]

Re: Need help and critique

First off - lovely photo. Nice effect with your retouching.

I do agree with Ancientmovement, the lack of texture in the lips draws the eyes. I understand from the before you were trying to get rid of the chapped look.

In the attached, I added a layer and healed the lips (with the healing brush), then reduced the opacity of that layer. To correct the color, I sampled a good lip color and painted over the bottom lip with a soft opacity brush on another layer. I then added a dodge & burn layer to bring back some highlights. Just a quick couple of minutes, I'm sure a much better job can be done, but just one way.

I think the only other thing I would do is clean up the fine baby hairs.