Fourth image that I've now retouched; starting to get into a groove.  Hair is still by far the most tedious for me, but definitely rewarding.



Here's a collage showing before and after as well as a composite of all changes:



Techniques used:

- Single RAW conversion this time
- Split frequency healing
- Hair fixups: clone in darken mode, then hand-painting hairs back in as needed and to fill in eyebrow
- D&B (dual curve layer approach)
- Gradient map and other color corrections
- Some final adjustments to increase contrast, etc.

I like the color you did but not the d&b keep the original shape as much as possible. You got to know when to hold and when to fold. Try for the hell of it just on a blank layer clone/heal there and then on d&b layer (your choice) just make look good without changing the light for now do that zoomed out. Leave the color work it's fine. Two obvious things stick out the swirl inside her hair and the whole on the top of the head correct those two things and repost.

If I have time to give advise I will but it's bad thing that after everyone gives their input hardly anyone reposts the image. I think last year this part of the forum was pretty active now its pretty much dead. why even contribute? Yes, I know people are busy and if so don't ask for critiques. I feel as though this section is for people who really want to develop and go to the next level.

Thank you very much; will post another version in the next few days.

I kinda like the swirl of hair but to be honest, it was a bit of laziness kicking in. Didn't even consider filling in the empty space in her hair at the top.

For D&B work, while I understand the how, I am definitely suffering a bit with the why. Which is what you pointed out. I don't have any formal training as an artist or really understand light, shadow, anatomy, etc.  Willing to learn of course.

Here's a second pass (note that I did not apply the final desaturation/contrast adjustment as I did with the original image; but can re-apply as needed).

For now, wanted to address the problem areas that were outlined:

Holes in the hair along top of head and to remove most of the swirl of hair.  The latter was quite costly in terms of time, but happy with the results.  Mostly clone in darken followed by D&B to remove shadows of the crossover hairs.  Finally repainted some hairs in areas that got a bit destroyed (blurred and noise added to match surrounding hair).

Okay the hair still needs fixing (hair edge on top left make that look good) also why did you remove her shadow bring that back. Bring back with color also now try to fill the hole next to her eye and under her chin use hair from other images of the shoot if need be and draw some in. That shadow in between breasts blend more don't remove. Maybe on the top of breast bone not sure but I think there is some information missing there check the original. by the nose crease take down a bit and under eye crease take down a bit but don't remove.

Send me a message if you have questions I am not on here much nowadays.

I removed her cast shadow as I found it distracting.  Easy to put back in though since I do all major work like that on separate layers.

I can work to also fill the hair by her eye, but will disagree with filling in below the chin.  My take is that the hair is pretty sparse there and I'd then be adding too much "things that weren't there" to the image.

Still trying to work out how to do flyaways around edges of the head; my past efforts have really messed up the edge.

Do agree to those points you outlined for the D&B.  That's probably the area where I need to improve the most.

Thank you for your continued feedback.

You're waisting your time. Start with a better image.