has anybody used PortraitProfessional?

[habed]

I have PS Elements and although I've been discovering new features (At least new for me) I've found very difficult to retouch people faces.

I stumbled upon PortraitProfessional and downloaded the trial version. It looks like it get's the job done but when I zoom in to both the original and the edited I see the new image is very pixelated. But, maybe it's just me.

Has anybody used this aplication? Any good?

Just want to know if it's worth the $60 investment

Thank you

[PowerPix]

I have not used it personally, so take it for what it's worth. Every single photo I have seen that Portrait Professional was used on looks like crap. It makes faces look extremely unrealistic and "too perfect". That's just my opinion, but I'm sure others around here would agree. There were already some complaints about it. I'd say pocket the $60.

[DogHeadGod]

I can't comment on the software, but I do use Elements and I'd be surprised if your can't do the same job in it. Search youtube for retouching portraits for some excellent vids and tutorials. In the majority of vids the people are using full blown CS, but you will be able to do most of it in Elements.

I would also suggest doing a good job involves a fair bit of time and effort, so expect to spend a good amount of time on each image you work on.

DHG

[candleman]

i've used the trial, its initialoutput is always rubbish,
but all you do is dial down their edits and bingo. it can look quite nice.

i have encountered problems when two faces are close together, it distorts the other persons face a bit.

[habed]

Thank you for your replies. I'd guess I'll wait and investigate a little bit more.

I want to upgrade to CS but is so expensive. I downloaded Gimp but I haven't used it a lot. Maybe it can do more stuff than Elements.

Have a great weekend!

[windrider86]

I have it and use it on all my portraits. Its takes a bit to learn to use the adjustments and not just the the basic outcome that the program provides for you.
For me, I would have paid double for it

[sstanfay]

I have used it with pleasing results but you have to dial the changes WAY down to keep the photo from looking like a Madam Tussaud wax figure. It's not as good as a well done edit done with PS, but it is much less time consuming. I especially like the way it thins the face which improves just about anyone's looks.

[Swisstony10]

I have it, and use it on maybe 30 or 40% of portraits. As you've already seen, the output from it looks really really false and isn't particularly flattering. However, it's like any tool. If you over-apply any Photoshop filter it'll look rubbish, and the same goes for Portrait Pro.

Like the other users have said, all it takes is a little restraint and a judicious hand, and you can get much better results. Just dial the settings back to nothing from the default settings, and then tweak them a bit by hand. Sometimes I use it for nothing more than to even out skin tones - you can get the same results from Photoshop, but not as quickly.

Russ.

[RustySterling]

Originally Posted by windrider86

I have it and use it on all my portraits. Its takes a bit to learn to use the adjustments and not just the the basic outcome that the program provides for you.
For me, I would have paid double for it

This is where I am with it. Using the basic defaults is a formula for a disastrous looking photo. You have to go beyond the basics to get anything that looks decent. I hate the plasticy look of photo using just the basic settings. I also don't agree with the face shaping.

I finally started drilling down in the program and have a developed a good workflow to get good results. For example, I dial down the skin smoothness because I like to see some of the pore structure in a photograph. That doesn't mean I don't apply any smoothness. I just apply a small amount to get the skin to look to be what I see as natural but still take advantage of the programs power to take care of blemishes.

Nonetheless, I do a lot of my work on blemishes, etc. in Photoshop and use Portrait Professional to add some subtle final touches that I can't get in Photoshop.

It's just another tool and the results are all in how you use it.

[rpcrowe]

Originally Posted by windrider86

I have it and use it on all my portraits. Its takes a bit to learn to use the adjustments and not just the the basic outcome that the program provides for you.
For me, I would have paid double for it

I totaly agree with mindrider86...

However I am not the final judge of a portrait. My subject is; and most females have really liked their portraits done in Portrait Pro; given that you tone down the effects a bit. It gives them an image of how they would "like to look" rather than how they actually look.