Hey guys,

I've decided to post something that I've been wondering for a while, as I've always really struggled with this technique and achieving the final outcome I want.

When editing my images, although I use the healing brush, dodge and burn, do frequency separation, I feel like I never achieve the look I really want.

For instance, these images are an example of the skin of the image I want:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2v0cz8j … BgiS0tHhQQ

So the skin looks quite plastic, and the colour is fairly even. I especially like the cheeks.

However, when I photograph and edit my images, I feel like the skin lacks in that dewy technique, For instance a recent editorial I shot:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2hhfads … BgjAEtHhQQ

This image seems to have the effect more, however I really struggled to achieve it in this image:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1zwycnp … BgjUktHhQQ


It's something I've been worried about for a while. I feel my editorials lack the clarity and essence that I've seen in higher editorial images. Even my colouring just seems so boring and lack luster.

Is there anyway I can post my original RAW images here for people to have a play about with?

Thank you all in advance, I hope this makes sense!

Sophie

I realize this is the retouching forum, but the biggest differences between what you said you want and what you're getting are due to makeup and lighting.

The one you like was shot in very soft light, on a model with matte makeup. The other 2 examples were on models in sunlight with gloss or semi-gloss makeup. That makes an enormous difference in appearance. While it can be compensated for in post, it's a lot harder to do well.

If I'm misreading your intent, I apologize. If so, some other examples might help.

Yes, I agree..Lighting is way different..Sunlight is not the best light for achieving the look you want..make up plays a role as well..

Thank you both for your reply!

I actually have some other shots from this series that aren't so much in direct sunlight, if that helps?

Such as:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=14178ns&s=8

And:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1zwycnp … BhafUtHhQQ


Sorry if I seem amateur, I've only been retouching a few years and have just learnt from the odd tutorial etc, but I am always eager to learn more!

Your histogram and your saturation level did not match reference photo. Would be a good starting point to do it first.

1. Leaving lighting aside, makeup is the king. Your model doesn't appear to have any (good) makeup. Part of the "crisp" feeling is that in the inspirational photo her face is very well contoured, with highlights, and shadows, while in your pictures it's flat (when in the shadow).

2. The contrast in your photos is very weak. I'm not talking about planting an S-curve, I'm talking about contrast of the environment. In the inspirational photo model's face is the brightest spot in the picture, it stands out. In yours, the face meshes with the environment. Find better spots to photograph your models.

2.5 Get your lighting right. Photographing in direct sunlight without any strobes and/or modifiers will ALWAYS be bad so matter how good of a retoucher you are.

3. I'm sorry say but I see blurring in your images. Again, part of the "crisp" in the inspirational photo is that you could almost see the skin structure even in the web resolution of a full height shot. In your pictures the skin appears to be plastic-smooth. I'd venture to say you went overboard with blurring / portrait professional / whatever you use for skin retouching.

4. What Tulak said - you saturation is way too high, you models skin is waaaaaay too orange. Add selective color layer, and add cyan to red channel, about +20-25 should do, but maybe not. Then decrease the saturation. that will get you close in colors, but it will not fix 1-3 points.


I'm sorry if this is too harsh, but it's what I see.

Thank you for your replies, criticism is always welcome so long as it's constructive which I believe yours was. To be fair, on this day the sun was absolutely beaming, and the stylist wanted to get a lot of the shots on the street. Is there any suggestions on maybe trying to avoid direct sunlight, or diffusing the sunlight?

So does this mean my images are beyond help right now?

I've added a dropbox folder with the RAW images in, by all means have a play about if you wish. As I said I know my weaknesses, or my main weaknesses are skin and colouring, which I'm trying to work on.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4u4khx6rnshw … E2kJa?dl=0

Thanks again,

Sophie

I chose this one to edit...Best I could due given harsh sunlight..Enjoy
retouch for-forum-member by shapethelight., on Flickr

I must agree with the lighting comments. Shooting in direct harsh sunlight is a no no. I understand that sometimes you need to shoot in a certain location. But choose your time of day wisely.

In a worst case scenario, if there is no shade, make your own shade. I have a big 5 in 1 reflector that unzips and transforms into a large white opaque scrim. Have an assistant hold that just above the model to diffuse / lessen the harsh light and you will notice the difference.

Something along these lines:

^^Exactly. And you can make one yourself for under 50$ out of PVC pipes; that's what I did

As a matter of fast, I love shooting when the sun is out and about. I do shade my subjects and then strobe them though. But if you're not in that kind of stuff, then just a scrim or even finding a shade (or waiting for cloudy day) should do the trick.

Here's my example of shooting with scrim - it is standing on the ground here right next to the model, diffusing the light from direct sun during sunset.

Well, I didn't notice there were RAWs, sorry.

Anyway, this is what I came up with in 15 minutes. You do have a good shot there, it's just about actually retouching it.

Dewy=Defined highlight. No defined highlight=no dewy appearance. But, that doesn't take away from the image, and it not suited to ever photograph.



P.S. You know what, I actually fell in love with your work. I'm retouching all of these and will post them later today.

Wow thank you so much! That means an awful lot!