Skin touch-up and BW conversion

[klam]

Another retouch.

Which do you prefer, color or black and white?

Lighting was softbox camera right for key and beauty dish right above model for hair light. Used 85mm @ f/5. PS CS4 for editing


Amanda by kiu101, on Flickr


BW convesion, added grain(noise) "S" curve layer to boost contrast

Larger versions can be seen here Retouch - a set on Flickr

[faeriegodess612]

I like them both ways. But if I had to chose just one. I like the color version on the right the best.

[jiannisk]

The right color one is nicer imo

[zona5101]

Outstanding work, subtle but substantial. The B&W conversion is well controlled even with the higher contrast. I do like the color version as her skin and eyes are even more beautiful in color.

[cucurbi]

Very good work! The skin looks perfect, nothing like the fake plastic skin I've grown accustomed to see. The black and white conversion is very nice, but I agree with the others that color makes her stand out even more.

[davewhite]

Wow, I agree that there's something more magnetic about the color touch up. Maybe it's her youth that makes it seem like the better choice. Not to say that it's not because of your work. I also like that you left the freckles on her arms untouched. I sometimes find myself agonizing over that.

[derekspacelewis]

Beautiful capture, and the subject definitely helps lol. I know I'm out voted on this but I really like the black and white one better, it really brings out the great light you have on her and also her eyes. Both look great though, good job.

[TammyG]

I would also go with the colour, its stunning!

[wal]

They both looks great .. Nice editing done on the colored one. But i prefer the bnw because the picture looks kind of stronger and feels more intimate due to the lights and shapes defining her is better.. Tried applying some surface/gauss blur to smoothen the facial skin?..( maybe abit too great details, we can even see her pores... )

[klam]

Thanks for the comments all. It defiantly helps me know what others like.


Zona- That's why I love layer masks. I can choose which part needs more or less instead of applying a global adjustment that affects the entire image.

Cucurbi- I agree, I'm trying to avoid the plastic look and going for a more realistic natural skin smoothing. But I'm not going to lie, I have done many retouches with the plastic look. And sometimes that plastic look works out well.

davewhite- To remove or not to remove? If it's a personality portrait try not to change any of the persons defining traits like birthmarks, scars, freckles, etc. But we can lighten the birthmarks, make the wrinkles less deep, and maybe enhance the scars, and so on. Remove redness, pimples, etc since it's not a defining trait.

derekspace- I love how the eyes look in BW also. They really stand out and has more depth.

Wal- Some of the same reason I like the BW also. I feel the shadows give the appearance of a slimmer facial structure. I didn't want to use any kind of blur to smooth out the skin. I was aiming for detail in skin texture while still achieving a clean image. Keep in mind depending on the size printed out will also determine what can and cannot be seen.