Is anyone else obsessed with skin? (not like that!) :)

[Senor Hound]

Okay, so not in the dirty sense, but in the photograph sense. When I see a photograph of someone (especially a head shot), the first thing I notice is how smooth the skin looks. Even on the body, I notice if the skin looks fairly blemish free. This might be cause my personal complexion isn't all that great, or it could be just my personal thing for no reason whatsoever.

So the second part is, when you're in Photoshop, how can you get a porous face to be smoother? I know how to clone out specific things (like a freckle or pimple) but I don't know how to do an overall smoothness. I tried a tool that kind of blurred things (I don't know what its called, maybe even blur ), but it really didn't get get that satin-esque look I'd like to know. And I tried an unsharpen mask, but I couldn't really see what it was doing in the preview of my screen.

Anyway, if anyone else thinks skin is one of, if not the most important physical feature on a portrait, I'd love to hear from you, especially if you know how to do some post processing.

 

[wolfden]

From what I have seen, a blur effect is used

Something like:
http://www.creativetechs.com/iq/how_to_smooth_skin_in_photoshop.html
http://photoshoptutorials.ws/photos...touching/airbrushing-natural-smooth-skin.html

 

[manaheim]

Well, you could airbrush them. I find it funny that a lot of these tutorials call this "smooth, natural skin"... since it's not... but whatever.

It works well.

Some example tutorials:

http://www.sxc.hu/blog/post/476
http://tutorialpulse.com/49/superb-skin-airbrush-technique/

 

[Big Mike]

Just Google 'Photoshop + Skin' and you will come up with millions of hits. Skin smoothing in post processing is very common for many types of photography. Actually, with a lot of glamour & fashion shoots...if they only smooth the skin...that would be considered a minor edit.

Of course, make up and good lighting do help as well.

Basic skin smoothing can be as simple as applying some blur. A quick technique that I use is to duplicate the layer and add a gaussian blur to the top layer. Then add a layer mask to that layer as well. Then you can just 'paint' the blur layer back on with a soft brush, into the areas that you want to smooth out.

More advanced techniques will smooth the skin but attempt to leave the texture of the skin, so that it looks more realistic.

HERE is a tutorial for a somewhat advanced technique...well, it's advanced to me anyway

 

[kellylindseyphotography]

Pro's get paid massive money for that look.. it takes practice and skill I think the link big mike gave is a good one. Also check out some of these tutorials:
http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=browse&id=3


And unsharp mask is for sharpening your picture. The title is misleading, isn't it? Try setting your settings at 20, 40, 1. Taht should give nice sharp results. It also works as a defogger, removing any foggy cast that was there before.

 

[AndrewG]

Lighting is critical with portraiture; if the subect is well lit (no direct, harsh flash) and, if shot outdoors, use evening light which is softer and more flattering than midday sun. If you can't avoid shooting when the light is harsh place your subject in shade.
Indoors use diffused and bounced flash (if you really have to) but try to use window light, with a reflector on the shadow side.
If you do this you shouldn't need to fix the shot afterwards.

 

[dslrchat]

use quick mask, then invert selection
gausion blur abit (3 pixels +/-)
you may have to add a bit of noise afterwards if its too plasticy

Thats just a general way, play with it till you get something you like.
There are other blur techniques too.

 

[That One Guy]

Lighting is critical with portraiture; if the subect is well lit (no direct, harsh flash) and, if shot outdoors, use evening light which is softer and more flattering than midday sun. If you can't avoid shooting when the light is harsh place your subject in shade.
Indoors use diffused and bounced flash (if you really have to) but try to use window light, with a reflector on the shadow side.
If you do this you shouldn't need to fix the shot afterwards.

a nice overcast day is good as well. it's like big diffused light.

 

[AndrewG]

a nice overcast day is good as well. it's like big diffused light.

Thanks, I forgot to mention that!

 

[Alpha]

As I've mentioned on many occasions, blur should not be part of your standard retouching workflow. It's a specialized tool for rare applications, not used by talented professionals day-to-day.

The instructions on the page linked to are not only amateur but produce positively terrifying plastic results.

 

[Senor Hound]

As I've mentioned on many occasions, blur should not be part of your standard retouching workflow. It's a specialized tool for rare applications, not used by talented professionals day-to-day.

The instructions on the page linked to are not only amateur but produce positively terrifying plastic results.

How do you smooth out skin on your photos? Since you don't approve, I'd like to hear of a method you do approve of.

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

 

[kellylindseyphotography]

As I've mentioned on many occasions, blur should not be part of your standard retouching workflow. It's a specialized tool for rare applications, not used by talented professionals day-to-day.

The instructions on the page linked to are not only amateur but produce positively terrifying plastic results.

My link? Or mikes link?

Yes, be careful with tutorials.. I have found one or two that fit my niche, but yes beware of fake plastic results.

As always, start with great lighting, great exposure and decent skin and you won't have to do much work. You can also try totally rad affects (actions for PS, you can google) and portraiture.

 

[Alpha]

How do you smooth out skin on your photos? Since you don't approve, I'd like to hear of a method you do approve of.

Well I try to start with great makeup. If you have to blur then your makeup isn't good enough.

Generally speaking I use the healing brush and the paintbrush in any number of blending modes.

 

[Senor Hound]

Well I try to start with great makeup. If you have to blur then your makeup isn't good enough.

Generally speaking I use the healing brush and the paintbrush in any number of blending modes.

I know this is a little off-topic, but how do you control your client's makeup? I mean, unless you're in a totally professional setting with hair and makeup crews (which 99% of the time isn't available), then you're kind of stuck with however the client wants to do their makeup, no? I guess you could tell them their makeup sucks, but that seems like nothing but a good way to lose clients, since customer service is easily 50% of the game when you're working for yourself.

And if you are in a setup where makeup is done by a professional on set, do you have any recommendations for people who are not afforded this luxury?

 

[Alpha]

I've been known to do makeup on occasion for my personal work, and I've been thinking about buying a full kit for some time but it's a good $500 investment. I have a long history painting and glazing 3-D objects. Makeup wasn't too difficult to pick up, although there are plenty of pros who of course are much better than I am.

If you aren't keen on doing makeup yourself and can't afford a professional out of pocket, then you either a) have your client foot the bill, or b) find an aspiring makeup artist who will TFP/TFCD.

Also, unless you're being hired by a model to shoot headshots or something for their portfolio then your model is not a client. The client is someone who pays you to shoot something involving a model, which either you pay for using money they've paid you, or they pay for.