Realistic skin to background relation in CS6

[JustJazzie]

I was lucky enough to do a mini boudoir session for a friend and I am using the "surface blur" tool on the selected skin area. I'm using a light hand and I think it looks realistic but I feel like it just doesn't "fit" with the background now.....it's hard to explain. Maybe it's just because I'm used to seeing the original?

Has anyone had this problem before? Any ideas on how to blend them better? Should I be applying another blur to the background itself??

I can't post an example because I was asked not to sorry!

 

[ronlane]

Can you crop out a section of the background with the arm or leg and post that for a reference? That way you aren't showing anything identifiable and maybe we can help.

 

[runnah]

Yes. Do a quick mask gradient, from the top down and add a lens blur. You are going to want to mask out your original image and mask the object closer to the foreground.

Also look at the field and iris blur filters.

But at the end of the day adding DOF to an image is very tough and its way easier to do it in camera.

 

[JustJazzie]

Can you crop out a section of the background with the arm or leg and post that for a reference? That way you aren't showing anything identifiable and maybe we can help.

I'll try to do this later when I am back at the computer.

I'm also struggling with pulling some very red areas out of her skin....any help there?

 

[Parker219]

Ask her if you can post the photos with the face hidden. Hard to help with out seeing what you are looking at. This is not Facebook, we don't know your real name, not to mention your friends.

 

[412 Burgh]

To be honest without seeing the actual picture we can only guess. My first guess would be to use the surface blur tool and maybe try to smooth the other skin to blend into the red to reduce it. You can also download an action and airbrush her skin so it looks soft and barbie like! CLICKIE CLICKIE