too much skin post production? before/after

Jaraviss

first attempt at editing skin in photoshop.
(ignore the flat lighting for now...just want to know what you think about the skin fix)

how much is too much?
is this too much? does it look fake?
do you have a before/after example that you can share?

thanks.
-G

rustic

I'd say yes, too much, especially on the face and shoulders. I don't have any of my own examples, but normal skin just isn't that uniform.

I do think that the color is better in the second image (on my uncalibrated monitor).

BertWagner

I agree with rustic: too much softening on the face. I think especially with the cheeks, they can be a little crisper to show some definition instead of being totally smoothed over. I think the amount of correcting of the shoulders is fine though.

And it looks like you've lowered the amount of blue in the skin in the original photo (good!) but now I think there is too much green/yellow in your corrected photo (but I'm still waking up so I might be seeing things ).

Flyinggina

I am no expert, but I personally like the glamour treatment and I'll bet the subject does too. YOu can try reducing the opacity on your final layer to let some of the detail from the original show through, just to see what you think. I suspect, though, that improving the lighting to create more depth in the face will make a big difference.

If you haven't seen it, this thread might interest you on the subject of portrait retouching.

Beautiful model by the way.

Virginia

k2butter

If I didn't see the before shots, I probably would not think it was too much, compared to the originals though, I think it is a bit too much, BUT I think you did a really great job, I have seen a lot of very poor samples of "fixing" skin your technique is very professional looking.

rwells

Good questions...

First:
Do YOU like the skin treatment toward your goal?


Second:
I like the skin treatment for this kind of shot. (generalization here)
If your going for more of a glamor shot, I think your on-track.


What woman would rather have a (glamor) portrait that shows off her flaws? That's what I thought...

She sees "accurate" everyday in her mirror. If that's what this woman wanted, she wouldn't wear ANY makeup, which of course she does.


Everyone wants to look their best, even if that takes some manipulation. She has some splotchy skin, I think in this type shot she would rather not showcase that.

Again, I think your on-track for you goal

Jaraviss

thanks everyone
i think i'll take your comments and reshoot

1. concentrate on getting a better shot first (with lighting/exposure/etc).
2. careful attention to color rendering
3. find a "happy medium" on the retouching...
a. too much = glamour..ok for some shots
b. lower a little to bring out more natural features.

thanks again!

one day i'll repost and see how i've improved.

thanks for the link too!
very imformative tutorial.

i love it.
-G

gmonkeh

Hi Jaraviss,

This is a little late but the skin is a tad overdone. You've lost all the detail in her skin, and bit too much softening.

Here's an example of what I think works, but it's just me. Some people might think mine is overdone as well, just a matter of personal opinion.

Jaraviss

cool thank you!
when i get another shot (a better shot to start with, that is)..i'll try again.

p.s. the eyes on yoru 2nd image are *AMAZING*
they really draw you in and are so "crisp"!!!

LOVE IT!


-G