Learning Photoshop - How'm I Doing?

[Stacey]

Hi! I got a Photoshop for CS2 that I am trying to learn! I took a photo of myself and sharpened it and I tried to soften my skin. It's taken me awhile but I think I am on the right track. I know it's a bit much but what do you think of my progress so far? Am I on the right track or way off? Thanks so much for any input!

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I'm currently trying to work on changing my eye color. Please check out this post I made in Photoshop Challenges to see if maybe you can help me. Thank you so much!

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1070175#post1070175

Edit: sorry about not adding the original photo! I know better than to not include it!

 

[Sideburns]

I'm pretty sure you're way off.

If you soften the skin, you want to try and leave the lines in your face closer to natural. This way you don't look like a blowup doll.

 

[KThomasGC]

I'm not an expert so here is my amateur opinion. If you are going to change the color/texture of the face, make sure to match the rest of the exposed skin, it makes it look like you photoshopped a different head and body together. Otherwise I like the look of your edit so far.

 

[Stacey]

I'm not an expert so here is my amateur opinion. If you are going to change the color/texture of the face, make sure to match the rest of the exposed skin, it makes it look like you photoshopped a different head and body together. Otherwise I like the look of your edit so far.

Yeah, I noticed that too. I didn't just soften my face I did the entire picture and it still turned out like that. I'm thinking it may have been my makeup or something like that....I hope not! LOL...but I did notice that. I'm still trying to work on all that! Thanks though!

 

[hawkeye]

I think it kinda of depends on the original to tell if you are on the right track. Cant tell Exhibit A from Exhibit B

Just remember, Levels are you best friend in photoshop. Curves is a bit much and overwhelming for a beginner. If I was going to start somewhere, it would be there.

The wall and your hair are to much of the same tone. You need to stand out from your background! I would start with a new picture and keep at it! Photoshop is a wonderful tool, congrats on obtaining it

 

[Stacey]

I think it kinda of depends on the original to tell if you are on the right track. Cant tell Exhibit A from Exhibit B

Just remember, Levels are you best friend in photoshop. Curves is a bit much and overwhelming for a beginner. If I was going to start somewhere, it would be there.

The wall and your hair are to much of the same tone. You need to stand out from your background! I would start with a new picture and keep at it! Photoshop is a wonderful tool, congrats on obtaining it

Eek! Sorry about not including the original (I have since added it to my Original Post!) I know that I need to include the original picture, how else are people going to know how I've improved/continued to suck? LOL...I'm not sure what you mean by levels & curves? I just followed what the book said to do..I just added layers and messed with the layers. I don't think I changed any curves..just added the Gaussian Blur, changed opacity and layer masking? Is that what you meant? Sorry to be so retarded, I just don't know! LOL! Thank goodness for this book though! I'm learning so much more than I thought I would! I LOVE IT! Thanks for the tips though! I'm trying to change my hair color (the book teaches me how) but I'm not sure how well that will go!
Thanks again!

 

[hawkeye]

Yeah, I wasnt being as specific as use levels on this picture, just pointing out that it something you will want to fool around with since you are new to photoshop! I use a Mac, but I assume its the same in the PC world. Just go to Image > Adjustments > Levels. Ctrl+L is probably the PC shortcut, if its anything like the mac version. The book most definitely should explain levels, its a a crucial tool. There isnt much to contrast in this picture, so its usefulness will be at a minimum