Digital Make Over

[Trader]

This is the before right out of the camera:

and here is the after:

Well, obviously I cropped for subject first. Next I highlighted the hair with some dodging and burning and added some gold tones. Smooth out the face with a blhur and remove all freckles and any blemishes. Remove the red eye and cover the iris with a slight blue filter. Open the eyes and whiten them with an airbrush. Lips, dodge and burn and airbrush a reddish pink layer and reduce opacity to 30%. Whiten the teeth. Clean up some stray hairs.

[zomie]

I got to be honest. I think this is overdone. It is in a natural setting and pose, if this was a studio I would understand. Her face doesn't match the rest of her body either. I think if you were shooting on a white or black background for a magazine you could get away with the doll approach a bit more.

When you retouch a photo I feel it is important to leave behind some of the wrinkles or freckles to leave intact who they are.

When I do a retouch, I tend to only use the healing brush on blemishes since they are typically not there are are not who they are and I avoid the airbrush. Depending on the lighting I will brighten up the lips a bit, dodge the teeth, and perhaps the eyes. I try not to go overboard though.

Here is an example of one I have done recently:

[Trader]

This was taken on a photo shoot where we were working with five different models and I was going for that high end processing look. I appreciate your honesty and thank you for your feedback. Of our group that was shooting that day, I am always on the extremes when it comes to the finished product. Thanks again.

[KathrynWilson]

The skin smoothing doesn't look even to me, so even for a highly processed shot it looks a bit strange. Try applying it to all of the skin so that the patches that are done don't stand out. The hair highlighting looks somewhat like you're trying to grey it? Maybe add some yellow and red back into it.

[paulsmith1966]

You seem to have lost the pupils. I think if you fix that it would be a plus.

[ehill8794]

wow trader. thats amazing stuff you can do.
only one thing i have to say is that what you did to the hair makes her look kind of like she has old lady almost grey hair. lol
you are luck to be able to photograph such beautiful subjects.
good job!

[Trader]

OK, here I am again with round two. Did I mention that I have a reputation of "overprocessing" these shots? I do have to say, they are the ones that sell. But even I like this version better.

As usual, all feedback (good or bad) is very welcome.

[KathrynWilson]

That's definitely better.

[ehill8794]

i agree. much better!
nice work!

[Fernando]

Agreed.. much better.. doesnt have that super overprocessed blotchy-ness look the first did. Its a little more true to life.. which in my opinion always looks better.
The only thing that still gets me.. is her arm colour on the left does not match her face/neck.. if you are going to touch up skin in that way.. do it to the entire body. Personally I usualy dont process the full face.. just touch up problem areas with healing tool to remove blemishes.. you know.. stuff thats not always there. Freckles are part of who she is.. and should remain.