My Little Sis - Before and After - Skin Smoothing and Brightening Eyes

[Amira]

I have been playing around with brightening eyes and smoothing skin recently, and I'd love some feedback as to whether or not it looks TOO fake and touched up. What do you think?

Before:


After:


Process:
To brighten the eyes I used photoshop paint tool. Have color selected as white, focus on the eyes, lower the flow and opacity to the low 30% range, and select "soft lighten" for the whites. Paint over the whites to brighten. Then choose "vivid" for the actual color part of the eyes and paint over once.

To smooth the skin I use the heal tool for the major blemishes. I also duplicate a layer, add a layer mask and select "hide all". I then select the duplicate layer and choose filter - surface blur. Blur the surface but keep the eyes sharp. Then I use the paint tool, lower the opacity and flow to the 70% range, and paint over just the skin avoiding the nostrils, eyes, or any other part of the face where you want to keep the detail. Then combine the layers into one. Viola! Instant microdermabrasion!

Feedback/comments much appreciated!

[nswphotos]

Looks Great, I'm off to practice that one thanks for shareing.

[Amira]

Let me know if I can explain more, I'd be happy to walk you through it! =)

[BK553]

I think the eyes are just a tad overdone. The teeth seemed to have picked up some yellow from the warming/white balance you did, I'd whiten those up a little too. Nice work though.

[Amira]

Thanks for the advice BK553. I think you may be right about the eyes. They are striking but almost over-the-top. I will rework and try to repost. =) I hadn't noticed the teeth, also! Good eye! Thanks again! =)

[katia]

i feel the eyes are slightly over the top as well. i actually thought the iris's were great in the "before" shot!

[Amira]

Thanks Katia! Advice received and taken with gratitude.

[zona5101]

Nice work. I like the pop in the eyes...it's a matter of taste and where you want focus...and i think what you did works fine.

[Amira]

Thanks, zona5101! I appreciate the comment! =)

[prabbit237]

I agree about the eyes in that I like them better before as far as the color/saturation goes but my main issue with the picture isn't in the photography at all but in the smile.

Personally, I hate the "show as many teeth as I can possibly show, even if I have to borrow extras from the neighbors." I.e. huge smiles like that look too forced to me. But it's JUST my opinion and as opinions go, mine usually are way off in left field somewhere.