The hard truth, natural look, or some kind of magazine cover style?

I understand and see nothing wrong in heavily altered portrait OP has provided. It is old portraiture tradition. It exist as long as portraits been painted. Basically, all of those museum portraits are avatars.

As for lifestyle/candid pictures I do no such heavy things at all.
I would sometimes remove not permanent red pimples. This is it.

On darkroom prints I don't remove, alter at all.

kf095 wrote in post #18636674
I understand and see nothing wrong in heavily altered portrait OP has provided.

I think that's because it looks completely natural. . I would have no idea that that photo was ever processed if the OP hadn't told us, and shown us the "before". . There is actually texture in the skin so that it does not look airbrushed.


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Processed. Your technique is spot on to me.

You should do us a solid and do a write up on your techniques!!

Not sure it would be a forum post or an article, but i have some ideas about starting Youtube channel/blog/ect.

Great idea!!