Dave Hill technique, my first attempt.

[dpolston]

(not that this matters... but my avatar was taken by just using a ring light. There are way too much fun! Obviously not a HDR though.)

 

[THORHAMMER]

I took a stab at it myself from your original image, not much better then yours.

Its the lighting , has to be even in the front, and harsh on the side.

then you pull out the details afterwards with lightening the darks and darkening the lights, well thats my theory.

about the blurring, and sharpening he does, im guessing he sharpens the eyes and mouth and hair, and blurs the rest.

i dunno its a very complicated look

 

[Rabieshund]

I don't think Dave Hill blurs anything... Quite the contrary. Oversharpened skin is pretty much a part of his style. At least on his newer photos which are looking much much better in my opinion.

 

[THORHAMMER]

your prob right !

I was guessing that cause some of the skin looks smooth, weird, I cant figure it out either...