Skin dodge and burn

[Ad Alex S]

How frustrating!

On one photo - absolutely no problems, another - taking way too long.

Consistency, where are you when you're needed

Arrrrggghhh!

[Ad Alex S]

Re: Skin dodge and burn

It is usually cheeks I struggle with. Creating smooth transitions on cheeks. I go on to correct one area, which is darker, then notice another, I go on to correct the other area, etc. And I end up with blotchy mess. It also seems like it is photo (or skin) depended in my case. On some photos it works pretty nicely, on other (especially light or pale skin), I correct things for way too long and I just cannot get that smooth transition I want. Tips or tutorials are very welcome

[Ad Alex S]

Re: Skin dodge and burn

Example (just a screenshot, so colour space not included)

[Clide]

Re: Skin dodge and burn

Hey, when I dodge and burn I usually have a black solid color adjustment set to color blend mode. It helps me see better when dodging and burning and then I would add some curves to boost shadows and highlights if I am having further trouble seeing the differences. I would highly recommend Pratik Naik's tutorials. He has one in creative live and RGG EDU, the latter is quite expensive though. But essentially what he teaching is to use that helper layer and use a low flow brush (like 1-5%) and then to just go at it.

[Ad Alex S]

Re: Skin dodge and burn

Hey, when I dodge and burn I usually have a black solid color adjustment set to color blend mode. It helps me see better when dodging and burning and then I would add some curves to boost shadows and highlights if I am having further trouble seeing the differences. I would highly recommend Pratik Naik's tutorials. He has one in creative live and RGG EDU, the latter is quite expensive though. But essentially what he teaching is to use that helper layer and use a low flow brush (like 1-5%) and then to just go at it.

Hi Clide,

Thank you for your reply. I feel like I should have added a bit more info to my OP though.

I do use helper layers (usually B&W adjustment layer and Curves layer to boost contract / lighten &darken). I have also seen CL Pratik's tutorial on dodge and burning. My flow stays between 1 and 2 %.

Overall I can get the skin to look quite nicely using this technique, but it is that last 1 or 2% I struggle with. To get that highly polished 3D look. I'm not sure if it is just practice or I am missing something.

Also, as I said in my OP, it is consistency I'm looking for. Some images I find no problem, on others it takes me hours to get OK results and however long I try I cannot get them to look the way I want. I keep going back and correct things. I keep finding dark patches, etc. Finally I give up, but I'm never happy with those images.

[clippix]

Re: Skin dodge and burn

i found when i db zoomed out first globally and then go into problematic areas to fix on a micro level i get better results.
I'm always zooming in and out during the micro db process also.

[Ad Alex S]

Re: Skin dodge and burn

i found when i db zoomed out first globally and then go into problematic areas to fix on a micro level i get better results.
I'm always zooming in and out during the micro db process also.

Yes, I'm definitely guilty of going in a bit too close sometimes and concentrate on small detail a bit too much. It doesn't help that I am a perfectionist and want every single detail to be how I envision it. It is something I am working hard to address and force myself to work a bit more zoomed out. It is hard for me though I want my skin to be perfect and yet still natural. Those images I struggle with usually look over done as I keep going back and correcting things and finally going over that line. It is that balance I struggle with. Correct everything and yet the skin to look natural. Plus the shadow / midtones transitions.

[Clide]

Re: Skin dodge and burn

I think it might just take practice tbh. Certain things like dodge and burn I feel just take time, well at least they do for me because I'm still learning lol.

[Tulack]

Re: Skin dodge and burn

If you using D&B why does it look like FS?

[Ad Alex S]

Re: Skin dodge and burn

If you using D&B why does it look like FS?

I have tasked myself with mastering DB, so staying off any other techniques at the moment.