Attempt on portrait with Photoshop + Portraiture

Vanquiz

Im planning about taking a portrait job by next year, so, I have about a year to learn about shooting, lighting, and editing. This is my first try playing for portrait photo with Photoshop + Portaiture, just something I did last night, to try to achieve a studio photo looks.

Comments, critics, suggestions, tips and tricks to achieve that studio photo looks is greatly appreciated.

Before


After

Nikolai

Vanquiz wrote:

Im planning about taking a portrait job by next year, so, I have about a year to learn about shooting, lightning, and editing. This is my first try playing for portrait photo with Photoshop + Portaiture, just something I did last night, to try to achieve a studio photo looks.

Pros:

• Nice compo
• Good cleanup job
• Pretty model
• Good angle

Cons:

• Background distracts
• Lighting is blah

HTH

Icebear

As an exercise in cleaning up skin, I'd say you did well.
As an exercise in making your model look like she's having her best day, I think you went way too far.

In my opinion, there's a big line between removing zits and "temporary" blemishes, and erasing freckles, and other permanent features of a person's skin. Unless your subject specifically requests this treatment, I would never presume to do it. Seems to me that, in effect, you're saying to your model that their natural appearance is deficient.

Sure, it's all a matter of degree, but I think you went too far. YMMV.

BPerron

You can tell that the nose has been altered significantly, look at the lines of the nose in the original and the lines of the nose in the second, parts of it are missing...

ladytx

Pretty girl. I would remove the hair(?) under her nose and mouth.

Vanquiz

Thank you all for the suggestions, I agree, the background is distracting, and the lighting is really dull, I need to learn more about that.

I also agree, this is way too far in editing, I dont think I would dare to go this far if I do this for clients without their permission, since they might take offense for it.

LadyTX, I really didnt pay attention until you mentioned it, you're right, that piece of hair is really distracting.

I really wanted to see how far I can go with Photoshop, since I just started to learn how, including following tutorials from dgin, and I guess I got to carried away and did some nose job, , it is indeed a very powerful tool.

gchappel

I have found the technique of overshooting corrections in photoshop, and then working back to reality can be helpful. Just duplicate the layer you are working on and go to work- oversmooth, over soften, remove all the wrinkles, etc. Then back down the opacity and let the untouched layer show through. I find this a quick and very controllable method to work portraits.
YMMV, but it works for me.
Gary

Rhinotherunt

I actually like the original better. The freckles give her character. not sure about the toning you have going on.