Photoshop Retouching and Glamorizing
After opening the image you wish to retouch, you should create a copy of the background layer. I rename this layer to “Original.” This way you can work non destructively and copy individual channels.
Step one: Adjusting luminosity using channels and luminosity blending mode.
First, click on the channels tab in the layers panel. Click on the eye icons next to the the green and blue channels so you only have the red channel visible. When working with channels, all channels are selected by default and you will see all are highlighted blue in the layers panel. Click on the red channel so it is the only one highlighted. Now select all (ctrl+ a) and copy (ctrl+ C). Click on the layers tab in the layers panel. If you have the background layer selected you can't paste so select the copied layer. Paste the image you copied (ctrl+ V) and it will create a new layer. I name this layer “Luminosity.” Set the blending mode on this layer to luminosity in the layers panel. Go back to the channels tab and ctrl+ click on the RGB layers thumbnail to make a selection of that layers contents. (This has to be done in the channels mode because it captures the half tones instead of selecting the whole layer.) Click on the Layers tab again and then click on the add layer mask icon at the bottom of the layers panel. You will probably have to adjust the opacity of this layer but if the original is very dark you may not have to.
Step 2: Smoothing and Softening Skin.
This step depends on the resolution of the picture and the texture of the individuals skin. Merge visible into a new layer. (alt+ ctrl+ shift+ e) I don't believe this is even in any of the menus so you should memorize this short cut. You have a couple of choices of filters to use now. You want to sharpen then blur this layer. If the subjects skin is fairly wrinkle free you can use a surface blur but for most faces you will probably want to use gaussian blur. Even though we want to sharpen this layer before blurring it, you can go to filter – blur – gaussian blur then with the preview box checked adjust the slider until all the things you want softened are no longer visible. I like to keep the number a multiple of three. I find that nine works well in most cases but you will have to experiment. Close the dialog box and then open the high pass filter (filter – other – high pass) Use the number you came up with in the blur dialog box (9) and click O.K. Now go back to the gaussian blur and use 1/3rd of what you used in the high pass filter(3). Since this image is now sharper than it originally was you must invert this layer (ctrl+ I). Now set the blending mode to overlay. Now you need to create a layer mask and mask out all the areas you don't want blurred. i.e. background, hair, mouth, clothing, jewelry. You may want to adjust the opacity of this layer a little.
Step 3: Covering Blemishes and Stray Hairs.
Merge visible into a new layer. If you want to work non-destructively from this point, you can copy this layer. Name this layer “blemishes”. The blemishes should be noticeably less visible already. I use the healing brush on anything that is really small like pimples or tiny moles. When using the healing brush you want your brush size to be as small as possible to cover the area you want patched. It wont work if the the area is close to highly contrasting items since it samples from all around the area. In these cases you need to use the clone tool. For wrinkles and stray hairs, I use the the patch tool. Its under the healing brush tool. Make sure the radial button for source is selected in the tool options. Very carefully make a selection of the item you want to disappear. After making your selection move your cursor over your selection. When your cursor changes, click and drag to another spot near the selection and release. You may want to use a couple separate selections if the area to be covered is large. This is the step that takes the most time so usually do about half of it now then do the final touches after the rest of the steps.
Step 4: Glamorizing
Merge visible into a new layer and set the layers blending mode to overlay. Adjust the opacity to your liking.
Step 5: Eyes, Hair, and Lips
Since we covered eyes last time I wont go into detail. Lips you do basically the same way. With lips I burn around the outside with a very low opacity. If the lips are closed I burn between the lips too. You can dodge out some highlights also if you want. With most lips, I like to make a new blank layer and paint in the lips with solid black. Set the blending mode to overlay then adjust the opacity. You can copy this layer and change the color. You can use any variety of adjustment layers to change them from here. If there are dark shadows on the lips, be careful to not let them get too grainy.
Step 6: Highlights and Shadows
After all the adjustments, the photo may lack depth. You can help this by adding in highlights and shadows. I usually use a few layers with the blending modes set to overlay. Soft light and hard light can give you some extra depth too. Use the eyedropper tool to sample the skin. I like to set it to sample an area by clicking the drop down menu. Then adjust this color to be darker and paint in shadows and lighter to paint in highlights or to remove shadows. You can also add color to the skin. For a tanner look use a very dark color and paint in all exposed skin. Don't forget hands and necks. Overlaying sometimes works with adding blush but you may have to experiment with the blending modes.
Animals Nature Falls Park Random
Benjamin Smith
Sioux Falls, SD
605.359.7806
twiztedminds@hotmail.com