Note: Kirk is "the Affordable Full time Professional Wedding Photographer Winsdor, Ontario". Here is the Link to KW Masters Photography.
Introduction:
Photo retouching is a large field. Today we will look at a simple routine to touch up head-shots. Many times people want the jpgs from a wedding shoot. I always advise that with our prints you get the benefit of our years of Photoshop experience and the benefit of our specialized PS plug-ins.
Discussion:
1. The very first thing that I do before any touch-ups is to correct the White balance, pre-sharpness and bokeh in DXO. Then I make a TIFF file working on. I never work on the original layer in PS. You may like to use the Photoshop format if so desired.
Masters-Tip: Save your work immediately and often though out this process. I like to use the SSD drive for the fastest response.
2. The second thing that I do is to duplicate the original layer
3. Now I check for flash shine and use Shine-Off if necessary as it is a fast way to reduce the shine. Of course we take all of the precautions during shooting to minimize or eliminate shine, but oily skin, sweat will almost always result in some shine.
3. Next, on the duplicate layer I touch-any skin blemishes, facial lines and in some cases thinning. Never over do your touch-up. I try to make the person look their best, but within reason. Custom requests might include making the person look younger.
4. On major professional model touch-ups, some people like to make a map of all the work that is required like: thinning, stretching, removals, blemishes, etc. I don't do this for normal work flow as you might spend days on one magazine photo.
5. For general skin softening I then use Nik plugin. Some people might light to use Portraiture. We do have this plug-in but many times I will just use the Nik Plugin. I caution you to always use just a little on any plug in . I target no more that 15% and many times only 5%. I well also make a layer for the teeth and eyes if whitening is required. Don't forget to add that white reflection in the eyes and remove any duplicates from flashes found many times in studio work.
6. Now I have to decide what I want to do with the image. I run it though Topaz and sometimes, the various Nik enhancements. Remember to create a new layer for Topaz. I always like to have my adjustments on layers so that I can pull them back to the point it looks the best. Any levels or curves adjustment would have been done in step 1 in DXO.
7. Don't forget the hair. You may want to darken or lighten it. Many "blondes" may need a little root touch-up. Depending on the job, you might want to add some makeup, eye lashes but this in not part of my regular work flow and you have to charge extra for this work.
8. Prior to finishing, I will sharpen things like the eyes, hair and jewelry.
9. Some or a lot of vignetting may be applied to the image, in many cases to remove distractions in the background often found in wedding photos. You can vignette with dark, light, blur or a combination of all of them.
10. As a last step, sharpening and logo is positioned in the photo.
Summary:
Photo touch-up is a large area. I don't like to change basic body features like cheek bones, length of legs, etc, but many magazine touch-ups do. You can discuss with your customer just how much they want you to do.
- Kirk is a Professional Wedding Photographer in Windsor, Sarnia, London and Southern Ontario Canada. In appreciation if you would be so kind as to give a G+ and a Facebook Like KW Masters Photography on his Facebook page.
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