Strange Skin after PP

[Olivia Price]

I use PSE9 to edit my pictures. I'm still a beginner with photography, and especially in PP. I've found some preset actions which I've used on the following image. It looks fine at a smaller size but when viewed at a larger size I notice a strange look on her skin. Can someone help me out with this? It is over processed, processed unevenly, or is it just my screen?

Please view the large image on my flicker account: Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[SusanH1970]

It's definitely overprocessed. Does the action you use give you the option of lowering the opacity of the layer it's run on?

[Olivia Price]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

It's definitely overprocessed. Does the action you use give you the option of lowering the opacity of the layer it's run on?

It sure does, I will play with it tonight and see what I can come up with!

[karen_s]

See if PSE 9 has a 'clarity' slider. Lightroom has it and if you slide it way left, you will get a look like this. It kinda smooths things out (and can certainly be overdone). If it does have the slider, maybe you can tweak it back or like Susan said, lower the opacity of that layer.

[Olivia Price]

Ok, so I get home, bring up my pictures and that weird effect does not show up on my computer at home?? No wonder I didn't notice it while processing the pictures. I'm using a laptop at home, and a LCD monitor at work. Is anyone else seeing the strange effect I seen from my monitor at work?

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Olivia Price

Ok, so I get home, bring up my pictures and that weird effect does not show up on my computer at home?? No wonder I didn't notice it while processing the pictures. I'm using a laptop at home, and a LCD monitor at work. Is anyone else seeing the strange effect I seen from my monitor at work?

First off, doing photo edits on a laptop is probably not the best. You might want to get a fixed screen that'll plug into your laptop for doing edits. Unless you are viewing or working on a calibrated monitor, the difference from one system to another can be quite huge. That said, what exactly is the "strange effect" you are seeing?

[Olivia Price]

Originally Posted by autofocus

First off, doing photo edits on a laptop is probably not the best. You might want to get a fixed screen that'll plug into your laptop for doing edits. Unless you are viewing or working on a calibrated monitor, the difference from one system to another can be quite huge. That said, what exactly is the "strange effect" you are seeing?

I have read several recommendations that make that same suggestion and I do plan on doing just that but since I only began my journey into photography a little over a month ago I'm stuck working with what I have until I get everything I want....and boy is that list HUGE

I'm not quite sure how to describe the weird effect I'm seeing. It's almost like the old time screens when you pushed on the screen it made a warped color effect....if that makes any sense at all?? That is what I'm seeing without touching the screen.

[autofocus]

I'm not quite sure how to describe the weird effect I'm seeing. It's almost like the old time screens when you pushed on the screen it made a warped color effect....if that makes any sense at all?? That is what I'm seeing without touching the screen

Well, I'm not sure if it makes sense, but I'm currently on my laptop (which is uncalibrated, and probably a waste of time to do so) and what I see is skin tone that is a little flat looking..beyond that, it doesn't look too bad. What I should do is get off my a$$ and go upstairs to view it on a calibrated CRT...maybe I'll do that later. Overall though, a nice shot for someone who is just beginning

[Olivia Price]

Originally Posted by autofocus

Well, I'm not sure if it makes sense, but I'm currently on my laptop (which is uncalibrated, and probably a waste of time to do so) and what I see is skin tone that is a little flat looking..beyond that, it doesn't look too bad. What I should do is get off my a$$ and go upstairs to view it on a calibrated CRT...maybe I'll do that later. Overall though, a nice shot for someone who is just beginning

Thanks! I have learned a LOT from this forum and just reading everything I can. If you do get the chance to take a look on your calibrated monitor I would love to hear what you think!

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by autofocus

Well, I'm not sure if it makes sense, but I'm currently on my laptop (which is uncalibrated, and probably a waste of time to do so) and what I see is skin tone that is a little flat looking..beyond that, it doesn't look too bad. What I should do is get off my a$$ and go upstairs to view it on a calibrated CRT...maybe I'll do that later. Overall though, a nice shot for someone who is just beginning

On my calibrated monitor the skin does look way oversmoothed. Now get off your ass! LOL