AboutSara Bella Expertise I can answer questions about most anything photographic. From film to darkroom to digital photography, from lighting to Photoshop techniques to digital work flow. I also know a great deal about the historical and theoretical contexts of photography. I am most familiar with Mac computers and the Adobe programs (Photoshop) but I can usually help troubleshoot any software and machine as long as I have the right information.
Experience I have been shooting photographs since I was 12 years old. I have a BFA in photography and and I am a current MFA matriculate. I teach photography at a university.
Education/Credentials BFA in Photography/Visual Articulation. In residency to receive MFA in photography in 2008.
Expert: Sara Bella Date: 4/23/2008 Subject: adobe photoshop
Question Hi Sara!
I have Adobe Photoshop 7.0 at work and I need to learn how to do touch ups on people faces. I need to be able to whiten teeth and the whites of eyes, even out skin tone, get rid of blemishes, get rid of shine, and soften wrinkles. I know a few basics but these pictures need to look very professional...
Thank You!
Amanda
Answer Hi Amanda,
Entire classes are taught on retouching in Photoshop! If you search google for "Photoshop retouching" you will get a number of really great sites, lots of tutorials and even some video tutorials! One great site is retouchpro.com/tutorials
It is a Dove commercial from a couple years ago that shows how retouching works. It is not a tutorial, but you should definitely take the time to watch it.
Below, I am pasting the text from a handout I created for my students. It has step by step instructions on how to do professional photo retouching. I also have it in pdf form with screenshots. If you are interested in the pdf, please send me your email address and I will send it to you.
Good luck
Sara
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Open File in Photoshop
Duplicate background layer by choosing
Layer: Duplicate
Name that layer retouch
Use Healing brush to eliminate blemishes, unwanted facial hair or
creases, lines and wrinkles
(don't remove all facial lines, some will be smoothed out later)
Choose the Spot healing brush from the toolbox on the left
Click on sample all layers
Move the cursor over the spots to remove and click away!
Use the zoom tool to get closer if necessary
Paint away wrinkles, pores and changes in skin color
Choose the Paint brush tool from the toolbox on the left
Change the opacity to 10-20%
Sample the area of skin you will be working in (option+click) (this will be the color you will paint with)
Paint until the surface is the desired smoothness
(resample your color as you move to different areas around the face)
Liquify to trim up or bulk out certain features
Filter: Liquify
Use the pull out tool Forward Warp to pull in edges of face or nose, to push in cheeks or chin
Tip: Make very small adjustments! Tiny tugs!
Set brush size to 250-350 depending on the area you are working on
Also used to make eyes appear bigger
use the pull out tool BLOAT tool click it once or twice ONLY
Once you are happy with the changes, hit OK to apply to image
To change or enhance eye color
Choose the magnetic lasso tool from the toolbox on the left (feather your selection by 5 pixels)
Outline one pupil
Hold down shift to add to your selection
Outline other pupil
Image-Adjustments-hue saturation and adjust the slider bars until you
havethe color you want
Deselect the pupils
Select: Deselect
To make teeth and eyes whiter
Choose the Dodge tool from the tool palette on the left (try a 15-20% exposure...careful not to do too much)
Dodge out the areas you want whiter
When working with teeth, or pupils, always select the area you want to whiten.
You can use dodge and burn to make your hair shiny or add highlights on a face forehead, bridge of nose, chin, etc
Add Color to certain areas: eye shadow, lipstick or blush - or - Remove shiny areas
Choose the Paint brush from the tool palette on the left
Choose a color from the palette, or sample a color (option+click on the
color you want to use)
Set your paint brush to 5% opacity
Slowly paint the color into the desired area until you have achieved
the color depth
