Hi! This is my first post!

[sueq54172]

ok...here it is...I just let photoshop correct the skin color for me. That was really bugging me too! I adjusted the highlights and contrast too.

[Nicole]

Yep, the skin tone is much better there I mean, obviously only important with the colour version, but that was what was bothering me about the colour version.

[sueq54172]

does it still look flat to you as far as tonal range? I still want to redo the eyes cause the right eye (well actually his left) looks unreal.

[clockdoc]

Skin tone looks a little hot in the highlight areas on my monitor. But you are adding a little more depth to his face.

[xxpinballxx]

Nice job on the eyes...I think he phot looks great in all of them but that may be cause the subject is adorable....i tired seeing the left eye up close and do not really understand what looks unnatural? I see there is an eyelash thats curling a little funky that I'd remove but all in all you did a great job on this photo.

Clockdoc, thanks for the info. i assumed it was due to the lights used in portrait photography and where they played on the eyes.....just wasn't sure. I know now though I'll notice everyone that off......

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by sueq54172

does it still look flat to you as far as tonal range? I still want to redo the eyes cause the right eye (well actually his left) looks unreal.

I don't think that the eyes look particularly unnatural aside from the fact that I'm wondering if you did something to fix up the whites?

I think there is more depth to the skin now. I think it's because you expect babies to be pink and cute if that makes sense lol

[jiminyClickit]

sueq54172,

This would work better from a color original, before the eyes were cloned. When you first copied bits of iris to cover catchlight, it sort of distorted the area. If you go to those again, select around the light reflections, Darken and Contrast to match rest of iris, you'll get a more natural look. Adding a vignette, softened, will give a little more dimension to the face, as well:

[sueq54172]

Thanks Jiminy! The eyes do look a whole lot better. I wanted to try to redo them but never got a chance to. It was my first time messing with the clone tool. :>

[jiminyClickit]

sueq54172,

Since the eyes are the focus of most portraits, they also will get the criticism if they seem "off." One way to get a good catchlight shape is to draw the shape of your light source (or what you want to suggest your source was) on a balloon (or any round item), turn it to the same direction light in your photo came from, then draw that shape in the 10 or 2 o'clock position (if your lighting was high to one side). Delete the selection or fill with a tinted hue.

If you're uncertain where to place a catchlight, look for the highlight on the bulbous part of the nose (or a round cheek) and picture the eyeball having the same placement of reflected light.