 Lori Molzan |
Complexion I have an awesome series of photos of a young lady I recently shot. However, she has a very acne scarred face. I use Photoshop 6 - Anyone out there know how to clear a bad comlexion? Healing isn't an option. Thank You! Lori
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Richard Lynch |
Hi, Lori... Healing should be an option, but it is really hard to tell without seeing a sample. I'd be glad to have a look! Upload a sample here. Richard
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Lori Molzan |
Thanks for responding. Aside from the complexion issues, there is a very dark shadow under her right jaw line and throat. I appreciate your advise. Lori
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Richard Lynch |
A little of the soft focus effect we used in classes will probably help you out. The rough skin is annoying but fairly minor (at least looking at this resolution), and the soft focus effect can smooth it out. You may need to do some Healing afterward, but less, and this might give you source to work with. Did a crop here (maybe a bit too square), Levels, color balance, blued eyes (maybe too much, they may be green...), added a touch of white to the eyes and teeth, and added some contrast with the blue channel. Didn't touch the chin or shadow...sometimes I actually add those for separation. Does that help? Richard Lynch
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Pete H |
Lori, Facial inperfections should be handled no different than taking a picture. "Do it right the first time." A long time ago I worked at a TV station. The air talent look terrible in person. Why? Makeup. A little pan cake BEFORE the shoot works wonders. All good portrait shooters know how to apply makeup or they find someone that does. Sure, one can TRY to fix it later, but the "pre-emptive strike" in photography is everything to a pro.
Pete
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Richard Lynch |
Pete, "Shot" is past tense. While I agree that making adjustments before a shoot is best in any situation, the shot was already done. Putting makeup on the model after the shutter clicks won't do any good ;-) Sometimes post processing is all you have. Richard Lynch
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Pete H |
Very true Richard, My posting was to many who never think of this prior to doing a portrait shoot. Perhaps I am irritated at the current crop of books that have emerged with digital photography (i.e) "fix this or fix that" after the fact. Following this seems to be producing a current crop of shooters with the philosophy "well; I can always "adobe-i-tize" it later." Funny thing about great photographers; they all have one thing in common...they know more than just clicking the trigger..many understand makeup, scene constructions, line art, lighting etc... Pete
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Richard Lynch |
Pete, I haven't been reading those books probably because I am all too familiar with some of the people that write them (and wonder if they are selling something else like an infomercial ;-). I don't tend to agree with the plan on PSing it later philosophy. You'd think if anyone would it would be me. Even as a photoshop guy I don't think it is good to depend on Photoshop first or think of correction as an automatic fail-safe for errors. You always need the best source. On the other hand there are times you can shoot an image with Photoshop in mind (e.g., HDR and panoramic images are good examples, as those you can't really accomplish in camera). But somehow I think I'm beginning to shoot like a tangent across the topic of the post. Certainly there is always more to learn in photography as there are so many angles to come to it from! Richard
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Pete H |
"I don't tend to agree with the plan on PSing it later philosophy." Glad to hear that Richard. I actually know some people who think this way though. One of their first thoughts after down loading their images is Adobe to cover a multitude of their sins. Please don't misunderstand me. As someone that came from the day of smelling fixer; I love Adobe. To me it is essentially a digital darkroom w/o the high costs that were the norm 20 yrs ago. (i.e) air brushing, dodge & burn etc... " I am all too familiar with some of the people that write them (and wonder if they are selling something else like an infomercial ;-)" You said it. I too am aware of these so called books of instruction. Way too many littlering the shelves.
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Richard Lynch |
"Litter" is an appropriate word from my perspective...at last from some of those I've perused trying to determine what the fuss is all about. Regretfully I think a lot of it is hype. I can likely prove it too, but that is quite another topic. Richard Lynch
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Lori Molzan |
Hi Guys, Never thought my original question would prompt such a healthy conversation! Pete, I'm very new to photography, into it only a couple of years. I've taken all of Richard's courses, a compostion course, digital imaging, etc. here on BP. I must say, my images have greatly improved out of the camera and, for me, the use of a tri-pod has slowed down my thought process on angles, compostion, etc. This young lady was a pro-bono shoot as she is another "out of work" realtor. She did have her make-up professionally done and did add a "pan cake" touch up to her face before the shoot. It was a windy day to add to the complexity of avoiding stray hairs, etc. When I reviewed the images on the LCD of my camera, they looked great. It was when I downloaded them into the computer when I saw the complexion issues. The stray hairs I can deal with, it was her complexion that I was unsure of how to repair. Thank you for your tips Richard. I'll pull out those lesson plans and get working on this project. Pete, Thank you for your input. From a very "green" photographer's point, your tips are helpful. I would not consider myself in any way a "professional", but this is a craft I've wanted to learn and have enjoyed the process as it moves along. For me, it's fun, something I've always been interested in, and now that I have the time to develop my skills, I am learning a great deal. From the classes I've taken, each shoot I do and from those of you have been "in the business" for many years. I definetly agree with you both that the goal is to "get it right the 1st time". When instances such as this come up, using a program to improve an image is an alternate option. Once again Gentlemen, thank you for your ideas, input and thoughts. Lori
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