New direction in my editing......

I decided to take a new approach to broaden my photoshop "skills" (or lack thereof).....

The look I was trying to achieve was a sort of "milky" skin complexion.
While I found a couple of tutorials on how to achieve this, ultimately none gave the desired effect.

What I found that got me close to my desired effect was curves.

To anyone that does not use curves this is a good read, (all 3 pages, good stuff);
http://www.thegoldenme​an.com/technique/curve​s1.html

Well this is what I got after several (about 6) hours of tweeking.

The only thing I am slightly displeased with is that her eyes are a bit too much and the hairband..... but after 6 hours in front a bright monitor I should stop before I go blind.

At least I have a rough idea of what direction to head for this type of effect.

Please tell me what you think about the skin processing.

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

It looks like you have two skin tones. One from the upper lip up and then one from the lip down. It looks to me like when someone is about to get sick and there face turns pale. You are going in the right direction for what you are going for though. Although she has beautiful eyes, I agree with your comment about the eyes and the hairband.

I like what you're trying to achieve, but for me, the initial picture isn't aiding you in your "quest".

#1 shadow behind model = bad
#2 eyes, we need, but not the hairband. It's just distracting.
#3 maybe 3/4 profile would help you see differences as you move the levels up and down.
#4 have you simply tried using the "blend" tool? I'm still learning too, but I'd guess 30 minutes v 6hrs would be more likely!

Having said that, please do continue on your quest, as fine tuning in future will be easier if you save your result as a setting for "milky skin tones".

skygod44 wrote in post #7393828
I like what you're trying to achieve, but for me, the initial picture isn't aiding you in your "quest".

#1 shadow behind model = bad
#2 eyes, we need, but not the hairband. It's just distracting.
#3 maybe 3/4 profile would help you see differences as you move the levels up and down.
#4 have you simply tried using the "blend" tool? I'm still learning too, but I'd guess 30 minutes v 6hrs would be more likely!

Having said that, please do continue on your quest, as fine tuning in future will be easier if you save your result as a setting for "milky skin tones".

Yeah my wife (model) also doesn't like the starting picture......... I agree it wasn't a good one to begin with.......

The blend didn't get the result I wanted, and I think I slightly lost my mind and more importantly objectivity after staring at the monitor for so long.

I did however save a .psd file with all the layers set so when I not so sick of staring at the bright monitor with the bright image I can go back and do some editing or even use that as a template.

hi, so you're trying to make a kind of high-key portrait

Though you got a good base photo here, what was you lightning setup ?

is there somewhere we can get the raw file to try to make something AND EXPLAIN what we did out of it ?

tommy2 wrote in post #7394788
Yeah my wife (model) also doesn't like the starting picture......... I agree it wasn't a good one to begin with.......

The blend didn't get the result I wanted, and I think I slightly lost my mind and more importantly objectivity after staring at the monitor for so long.

I did however save a .psd file with all the layers set so when I not so sick of staring at the bright monitor with the bright image I can go back and do some editing or even use that as a template.

I like to practice skills following the masters and, although I can't find the link again (so this upload might be a bit naughty?) here's a shot of Sofia Loren that I think demonstrates what I meant about angling the face.

Have a go and keep at it!

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AcN wrote in post #7394925
hi, so you're trying to make a kind of high-key portrait

Though you got a good base photo here, what was you lightning setup ?

is there somewhere we can get the raw file to try to make something AND EXPLAIN what we did out of it ?

Hmm I was hoping nobody would ask about lighting /.

I have a flood light and 10 year old hot shoe flash.....Gotta work what you got..

I am struggling to find a picture that displays the effect that I am going for... I can find a million examples until I need one....

The effect I am going for is not so much "high-key" as I want to keep detail (although it is leaning that way the more I messed around) nor black and white or a desaturated image as my goal was to kind of give a very pale skin...

Well quite frankly it is hard to describe what my goals are..... I will read up on the rules for posting links to others pics and try to find an example without breaking the rules:p.

Ok after a little searching I guess the effect I am going for is in the department of high-key. I really would like to keep detail as much as possible but like I said earlier, you can only make the models skin but so white before you start to lose detail in the light.

Well quite frankly the more I look at it, the happier I am.....With the skin tones anyway.


Here is a link to an example off site.

But first my disclaimer;
This is not a link to my website nor is it my photo nor am I associated in any way shape or form with the model or photographer. Should posting this link be a violation in any way shape or form then mods please delete.
http://twi99y.devianta​rt.com/art/Pirate-112559386

And the fact that they are fairly similar is purely coincidental.

Furthermore if anyone on here has examples of their own pics like this please point me towards them.

Tommy

dude, high key still preserve ALL the details, although it gives the skin this superbright tone

here's some pics i did :