Question on how to create photos like this!

[JuicyCouture]

My sister's friend obviously photoshops her photographs and I don't want to ask her how she gets the whole professional effect going on, and what not. Can you guys tell me how she did it and how she enhanced her eyeshadow and blush. Also how did she make her skin so flawless, as well as making the background appear so professional. Please help! Thank you!

These are the photos:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...Sheik/pic5.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...Sheik/pic4.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...Sheik/pic3.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...Sheik/pic1.jpg

 

[The_Traveler]

It is a little difficult to talk about the background effects because the pictures are a little small to see well but there are some things that can be said.

The DOF and focus seems really good; that usually means lots of non-glare-y light, good lenses and steady camera.

A couple of these pictures could have used more fill flash in my opinion.

I think the major question is how did the skin look so good?

Making skin blemish free is a multi-step technique and there are lots of tutorials around that are excellent. I have always liked the makeover tutorials at http://www.photoshopmama.net. The are well-written and easily understandable if you have some basic knowledge of Photoshop.

The challenge in makeovers is keeping the sking looking real while you improve the look of the photo.

 

[JuicyCouture]

So, it has alot to do with the camera? Do you know how she enhanced her make up? Also, when I mean background, I meant to say how does it look so bright and cartoon-like. Did she use the Orton effect? Thank u!!!

 

[ChelseaG]

she could have done many things to it.
sharpened
saturation levels
blemish free/healer stamp tool in photoshop
gradient layers for the sky
eye shadow and blush- use the paint tool with a low opacity and pick a color. You can burn the eye lashes (burn tool) to make them look thicker also for eye make up/lipstick/anything you want to darken or lighten (dodge and burn).
all sorts of possibilities to acheive these effects. i think it may look "cartoonish" to you because it's so vibrant and it really makes it pop.
I would read up on some work flow tutorials.

Here's a new program you can play around with for face enhancing if you don't want to slave over doing it step by step in photoshop.
http://www.portraitprofessional.com/?cam=rtt&gclid=CNCxyeGpx4oCFR6AWAod0BSXpA

browse around here and see if you can't put some things together to create a look you like http://photoshoptutorials.ws/photoshop-tutorials/photo-effects/smooth.html
I learned off video's on youtube.com and the original adobe webpage. they have great tutorials.