First Portrait Photoshop

[Fills]

My first run with Photoshop Elements on a Portrait. (used a book to help.. yes a paper book not electronic....) What do you think? I'm happy with the results. Picture on the left is original out of the camera. Taken with the 20D, with the 50mm 1.4 at 1.4.

[FlipsidE]

Very nice! Which book are you using?

FlipsidE

[jwcdds]

I'm no expert. But the final product looks too heavily air-brushed. Looks plastic. If you were going for that look, then you definitely achieved it. :D

[Fills]

Very nice! Which book are you using?

FlipsidE

Thanks, it's the Photoshop Elements book - seem's like a good fit :D By Scott Kelby

I'm no expert. But the final product looks too heavily air-brushed. Looks plastic. If you were going for that look, then you definitely achieved it. :D

I agree, that's what I first thought, but then I compared it to magazines, and it was pretty close to what you see... I guess it depends on your subject.

[Reflection]

The finished image is very perfected and softer, which on it's own looks not too bad, but when compared directly to the original it is a bit of a shock! You've done a good job for your first one, keep it up :)

[dsze]

I agree, its a bit too "perfect" for my taste. The line that separates your subject from the background in the 2nd photo is so blurred in spots that he almost appears to be part of the background... almost like he's flatter and lifeless. He really "pops" out of the 1st image more and looks more tangible. Not bad work with the healing brush though...:)

-daniel

[Fills]

The line that separates your subject from the background in the 2nd photo is so blurred in spots that he almost appears to be part of the background...
-daniel

I didn't photoshop any of those lines, it probably just appears that way. The biggest reason is because I had my aperture wide open at 1.4 because it was really just supposed to be a test of the new lens... but I happened to use the picture. I wish I had adjusted to about 2.4 or so and picked up more defiant lines.. but for fun.. doesn't matter. Thanks for your input, much appreciated!!

[mdmedicgod]

I know I should just get the book, but briefly describe what you did you achieve that look...Just curious.

[berto]

its okay. i think you wayyyyy over did it. you taking out the bags under his eyes makes that area look fake. good try though. just next time, don't overdo it.

[johnellisphotography]

IMO... too much correction. I learned to correct skin by studying what the germans photogs are doing. You cant even tell they correct. Thats when you know its just right, when you cant even find the evidence yourself.

[Fills]

I know I should just get the book, but briefly describe what you did you achieve that look...Just curious.

Kind of long and tedious but it involves using multiple layers. Basically, you blur one layer, and group it with a empty layer, and you end up using a "lightening" brush to which you lighten whatever is on his face that is darker than the blured image you make in step 1. You can adjust the amount of the effect if you wish.



Thanks for everyone's comments, like I said it's my first one, and to be honest I didn't really think it was that over done but it's my own work ;) . I trust everyone's eye. Ever see a Pla*boy Mag? Me either... but I hear there is lots of airbrushing there! :)

[johnellisphotography]

Being that this is a guy and dont want to make it too feminine. This is how I would retouch it. Get rid of major blemishes, leave some texture to the skin, but smooth the overall appearance of it. And if it was for a magazine, I'd knock about 20 pounds off. Congrats on taking the plunge to learn advanced photoshop. Most people wont devote the time to it. Cheers.

[Tobiko]

your head is a bit too thin in that one, the up part is bigger than the bottom part.

[johnellisphotography]

Nope... looks right to me. The ear is a bit off... but then again, it only took 60 seconds to illustrate my point in Photoshop.

[Raj]

Second one looks much better than #1 to me .....