I used Portrait Professional?

[j_mike_mc]

Seems like when ever I try to use CS3 or LR the photos come out looking plastic - have I over done it here again?

EXIF
0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 92 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Flash: On, Did not fire
Date and Time (Modified): 2009:12:20 19:43:47
Exposure Program: Manual
Max Aperture Value: 3.5
Metering Mode: Spot
Light Source: Cloudy
CFAPattern: [Red,Green][Green,Blue]
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual

[SarahN]

I think the contrast of the smoothness of her face with her chest is pretty drastic...it is obvious that you've airbrushed her skin dramatically.
Allow her to be human - perhaps remove the huge pimple she has that will destract from the photo (that's assuming she has one!), but don't smooth her skin like a movie star. When she gets that picture back she'll see how much you edited and think that's the only way she'll be beautiful (As a girl, I know that's what she'll think!)

A small example of a girl I shot that had imperfect skin:

She had a lot of acne scars, but I only removed 2 or 3 large blemishes from her face. Otherwise, I left it as she is, very beautiful!

[AnneWynne]

Another thing you can do is to make all of your adjustments to the skin on a seperate level then lower the opacity of the level so the original layer shadows through. You can allow small lines and imperfections to show through, but just enough so the face does not look totally processed.
BTW, it is a lovely portrait...I like the composition of the crop and the background.

[j_mike_mc]

I see what you say - here is the origional with no processing. Should I just leave well enough alone?

[WooD]

Nice image, but it almost looks to me like noise is the problem with the skin on your untouched shot.

I don't think your edited image is over edited.

There's one girl I shoot a lot that has pretty bad skin. She wants total barbie "plastic" looking skin. I hate doing it, but their her pictures.

[JSkriloff]

The second picture looks much more "human" to me than the first one. All in all they both are good.

[j_mike_mc]

Thanks very much for the positive feedback. It was a fun day and I hope to get to shoot more of her in the spring.

[kencaleno]

I have seen more images ruined from using this software,than any other. Ken

[davewb]

Before I start, let me say that I think it is a lovely photo - all the elements are in harmony -it could be a photo you see in woman's day mag ! Lovely...

however, there is a growing backlash against photoshopping, in particular producing unrealistic images of women (and men!) that no human could ever achieve in real life.

Personally I feel that 'perfection' is boring - it's the imperfections in life and people that make us interesting.

But in saying that I don't think you've gone too overboard here (check out fashion mags to see how ridiculous it can get!).

Dave

[j_mike_mc]

Great advice Dave. I am just getting started in this and I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks for the compliments as well!