<PING> Mike Russell – question

N
Posted By
noone
Jul 14, 2005
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442
Replies
11
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Closed
Mike,

I’ve got a project, that isn’t really my cup-o-tea, and wonder if you can point me to YOUR chosen technique(S). I do primarily product advertising and architectural. I’ve got some portraits of two client board members. Each have some wrinkles and one large pores. I would normally dupe the Layer, run Gaussian Blur, then work with Opacity, and Erase out the eyes, hair, eyebrows, etc. Somehow, these "normal" changes just are not looking right. Do you have some thoughts. A Google (Groups & Internet) have only yielded some books. Most of the ones that I have, basically give my method, with some very slight variations. Unless there is a tome that specifically addresses my needs, I’d just as soon not go out and buy a half-dozen new books, for one project.

Hope that I am not being too lazy, critical of my method, or cheap.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Hunt

PS any others, please feel free to comment
TIA

MacBook Pro 16” Mockups 🔥

– in 4 materials (clay versions included)

– 12 scenes

– 48 MacBook Pro 16″ mockups

– 6000 x 4500 px

S
Sean
Jul 14, 2005
On 14 Jul 2005 00:11:20 GMT, (Hunt) reverently intoned
upon the aether:

Mike,

I’ve got a project, that isn’t really my cup-o-tea, and wonder if you can point me to YOUR chosen technique(S). I do primarily product advertising and architectural. I’ve got some portraits of two client board members. Each have some wrinkles and one large pores. I would normally dupe the Layer, run Gaussian Blur, then work with Opacity, and Erase out the eyes, hair, eyebrows, etc. Somehow, these "normal" changes just are not looking right. Do you have some thoughts. A Google (Groups & Internet) have only yielded some books. Most of the ones that I have, basically give my method, with some very slight variations. Unless there is a tome that specifically addresses my needs, I’d just as soon not go out and buy a half-dozen new books, for one project.
Hope that I am not being too lazy, critical of my method, or cheap.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Hunt

PS any others, please feel free to comment
TIA

Are you familiar with high pass sharpening? If so, then try the following.

Duplicate the background twice, set blending mode to hard light on the topmost layer, and then run the high pass filter on it (choosing a radius that gives reasonable sharpening).

Next, take the layer below that (the background will remain untouched) and use your favorite blur on it (I like Lens Blur myself).

Then tweak layer opacities and the blending mode (Hard Light, Soft Light, …) on the uppermost layer.

What this does is blur the image, but sharpen the image based upon the details in the unblurred image. It does great things for blackheads, 5 o-clock shadow, wrinkles, and etcetera while not completely removing them.

You can also run the high pass on the uppermost layer after blurring the middle layer for more control.

In essence, this blurs the fine details while sharpening coarser details. Add in layer masks and you have a powerful tool.

hope this helps,

Sean

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

– Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

New Website
http://www.envisagement.com/
Last Updated 23 June 2005
H
Hecate
Jul 14, 2005
On 14 Jul 2005 00:11:20 GMT, (Hunt) wrote:

Mike,

I’ve got a project, that isn’t really my cup-o-tea, and wonder if you can point me to YOUR chosen technique(S). I do primarily product advertising and architectural. I’ve got some portraits of two client board members. Each have some wrinkles and one large pores. I would normally dupe the Layer, run Gaussian Blur, then work with Opacity, and Erase out the eyes, hair, eyebrows, etc. Somehow, these "normal" changes just are not looking right. Do you have some thoughts. A Google (Groups & Internet) have only yielded some books. Most of the ones that I have, basically give my method, with some very slight variations. Unless there is a tome that specifically addresses my needs, I’d just as soon not go out and buy a half-dozen new books, for one project.
Katrin Eismann – Photoshop Retouching and Restoration is the best. All the techniques in there are really useful and most apply to more than just restoring an old image.



Hecate – The Real One

Fashion: Buying things you don’t need, with money
you don’t have, to impress people you don’t like…
MR
Mike Russell
Jul 14, 2005
On 14 Jul 2005 00:11:20 GMT, (Hunt) wrote:

Mike,

I’ve got a project, that isn’t really my cup-o-tea, and wonder if you can point me to YOUR chosen technique(S). I do primarily product advertising and
architectural. I’ve got some portraits of two client board members. Each have
some wrinkles and one large pores. I would normally dupe the Layer, run Gaussian Blur, then work with Opacity, and Erase out the eyes, hair, eyebrows,
etc. Somehow, these "normal" changes just are not looking right. Do you have
some thoughts. A Google (Groups & Internet) have only yielded some books. Most
of the ones that I have, basically give my method, with some very slight variations. Unless there is a tome that specifically addresses my needs, I’d
just as soon not go out and buy a half-dozen new books, for one project.

It’s hard to beat gaussian blur technique you describe. Can you be more specific about what’s wrong, exactly, or put up a section of a picture on the web, perhaps at www.imageshack.com?

Hecate’s suggestion is probably a good one. I have only perused Katrin Eismann’s work, but found it to be good in terms of providing actual examples, and not just pixel-waving. I docked her some points for histogram worship, which is a real turnoff for me, and this prevented me from buying an otherwise satisfactory looking book.

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
BW
Bob Williams
Jul 16, 2005
I’ve got some portraits of two client board members. Each have
some wrinkles and one has large pores. I would normally dupe the Layer, run Gaussian Blur, then work with Opacity, and Erase out the eyes, hair, eyebrows, etc. Somehow, these "normal" changes just are not looking right.

I would not ERASE eyes, hair etc.

I would use the Clone Tool and/or the Healing Brush at 100% 0pacity to remove wrinkles, blemishes and pores.
I would then use the Gaussian Blur filter AFTER the cloning steps. I also recommend reading Katrin Eiseman’s book. It has some very useful tips, tricks and techniques.
Bob Williams
S
Sean
Jul 18, 2005
On Sat, 16 Jul 2005 02:13:06 -0700, Bob Williams
reverently intoned upon the aether:

I’ve got some portraits of two client board members. Each have
some wrinkles and one has large pores. I would normally dupe the Layer, run Gaussian Blur, then work with Opacity, and Erase out the eyes, hair, eyebrows, etc. Somehow, these "normal" changes just are not looking right.

I would not ERASE eyes, hair etc.

I would use the Clone Tool and/or the Healing Brush at 100% 0pacity to remove wrinkles, blemishes and pores.
I would then use the Gaussian Blur filter AFTER the cloning steps. I also recommend reading Katrin Eiseman’s book. It has some very useful tips, tricks and techniques.
Bob Williams

I believe he was referring to using a layer mask to erase sharpening of said features, not erasing the features directly.

After all, who is going appreciate their wrinkles/black heads being made more obvious?

a thought,

Sean

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

– Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

New Website
http://www.envisagement.com/
Last Updated 23 June 2005
N
noone
Jul 18, 2005
In article ,
says…
On 14 Jul 2005 00:11:20 GMT, (Hunt) reverently intoned
upon the aether:
[SNIP]
Are you familiar with high pass sharpening? If so, then try the following.

Duplicate the background twice, set blending mode to hard light on the topmost layer, and then run the high pass filter on it (choosing a radius that gives reasonable sharpening).

Next, take the layer below that (the background will remain untouched) and use your favorite blur on it (I like Lens Blur myself).
Then tweak layer opacities and the blending mode (Hard Light, Soft Light, …) on the uppermost layer.

What this does is blur the image, but sharpen the image based upon the details in the unblurred image. It does great things for blackheads, 5 o-clock shadow, wrinkles, and etcetera while not completely removing them.

You can also run the high pass on the uppermost layer after blurring the middle layer for more control.

In essence, this blurs the fine details while sharpening coarser details. Add in layer masks and you have a powerful tool.
hope this helps,

Sean

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

– Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

New Website
http://www.envisagement.com/
Last Updated 23 June 2005

Sean,

I have not tried this process, but have just saved your steps and will give it a whirl this AM. Sounds interesting. If I have any problems with my specific images, I’ll ask for some clarifications. In the meantime, big thanks, Hunt
N
noone
Jul 18, 2005
In article ,
says…
On 14 Jul 2005 00:11:20 GMT, (Hunt) wrote:

Mike,

I’ve got a project, that isn’t really my cup-o-tea, and wonder if you can point me to YOUR chosen technique(S). I do primarily product advertising and architectural. I’ve got some portraits of two client board members. Each
have
some wrinkles and one large pores. I would normally dupe the Layer, run Gaussian Blur, then work with Opacity, and Erase out the eyes, hair,
eyebrows,
etc. Somehow, these "normal" changes just are not looking right. Do you have some thoughts. A Google (Groups & Internet) have only yielded some books.
Most
of the ones that I have, basically give my method, with some very slight variations. Unless there is a tome that specifically addresses my needs, I’d just as soon not go out and buy a half-dozen new books, for one project.
Katrin Eismann – Photoshop Retouching and Restoration is the best. All the techniques in there are really useful and most apply to more than just restoring an old image.



Hecate – The Real One

Fashion: Buying things you don’t need, with money
you don’t have, to impress people you don’t like.

Thanks. I have heard only good things about her book. Off to B&N for a copy.

Hunt
N
noone
Jul 18, 2005
In article <fyCBe.2376$>, RE-
says…
On 14 Jul 2005 00:11:20 GMT, (Hunt) wrote:

[SNIP]
It’s hard to beat gaussian blur technique you describe. Can you be more specific about what’s wrong, exactly, or put up a section of a picture on the web, perhaps at www.imageshack.com?

Hecate’s suggestion is probably a good one. I have only perused Katrin Eismann’s work, but found it to be good in terms of providing actual examples, and not just pixel-waving. I docked her some points for histogram worship, which is a real turnoff for me, and this prevented me from buying an otherwise satisfactory looking book.

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com

Mike,

Thank you for the response. It is not so much as "wrong," as it is my attempting to do the best possible retouch on these two individuals. I’ve gotten the results looking pretty good, and can obviously go to work on a few areas with the Healing Brush, or Clone Tool. Obviously, I’m not attempting to create "younger" versions of either, just get them as close to perfect to reflect board members in their fifties. There are a few blemishes, that I have removed, but I’m trying for the ultimate blend of realistic facial textures, without noticable wrinkles.

Since I have a few days for the finals, I’ll head out and see what Katrin Eismann suggests. Though I don’t work with people much, unless I’ve hired them from "central casting," I don’t often have this problem.

Thanks to all for the suggestions,

Hunt
K
KatWoman
Jul 19, 2005
"Bob Williams" wrote in message
I’ve got some portraits of two client board members. Each have
some wrinkles and one has large pores. I would normally dupe the Layer, run Gaussian Blur, then work with Opacity, and Erase out the eyes, hair, eyebrows, etc. Somehow, these "normal" changes just are not looking right.

I would not ERASE eyes, hair etc.

I would use the Clone Tool and/or the Healing Brush at 100% 0pacity to remove wrinkles, blemishes and pores.
I would then use the Gaussian Blur filter AFTER the cloning steps. I also recommend reading Katrin Eiseman’s book. It has some very useful tips, tricks and techniques.
Bob Williams

All I ever retouch is people, of all ages and colors.
The recommendation to use the clone or healing at 100% is very baffling!! you will see ugly circles, I highly recommend using a softer edged brush and one that is less than 100 % opacity. Also healing brush. I am not very fond of the blur the entire skin methods, it usually looks very fake. It does add a nice glowy portraity effect but I find it totally unsuitable for business portraits.
I remove redness in eyes with dodge tool, under eyes combination of healing tool and clone, on older subjects it looks silly to have NO eyebags and wrinkles, I use a very very soft large clone brush at between 25-50 % opacity to "spray over" the under eye area which leaves the wrinkles in, but softer. Often I burn under chin area to enhance jawlines. I remove large freckles and neck lines with the heal or cloner.

overall gaussian on skin erased back eyes lips:
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05292/PatriciaNeville-064-B4.jpg
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05292/PatriciaNeville-064.jpg

manual step by step method:
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05292/ScottKenward-173-B4.jpg
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05292/ScottKenward-173.jpg
K
KatWoman
Jul 19, 2005
"KatWoman" wrote in message
"Bob Williams" wrote in message
I’ve got some portraits of two client board members. Each have
some wrinkles and one has large pores. I would normally dupe the Layer, run Gaussian Blur, then work with Opacity, and Erase out the eyes, hair, eyebrows, etc. Somehow, these "normal" changes just are not looking right.

I would not ERASE eyes, hair etc.

I would use the Clone Tool and/or the Healing Brush at 100% 0pacity to remove wrinkles, blemishes and pores.
I would then use the Gaussian Blur filter AFTER the cloning steps. I also recommend reading Katrin Eiseman’s book. It has some very useful tips, tricks and techniques.
Bob Williams

All I ever retouch is people, of all ages and colors.
The recommendation to use the clone or healing at 100% is very baffling!! you will see ugly circles, I highly recommend using a softer edged brush and one that is less than 100 % opacity. Also healing brush. I am not very fond of the blur the entire skin methods, it usually looks very fake. It does add a nice glowy portraity effect but I find it totally unsuitable for business portraits.
I remove redness in eyes with dodge tool, under eyes combination of healing tool and clone, on older subjects it looks silly to have NO eyebags and wrinkles, I use a very very soft large clone brush at between 25-50 % opacity to "spray over" the under eye area which leaves the wrinkles in, but softer. Often I burn under chin area to enhance jawlines.
I remove large freckles and neck lines with the heal or cloner.
overall gaussian on skin erased back eyes lips:
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05292/PatriciaNeville-064-B4.jpg
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05292/PatriciaNeville-064.jpg

manual step by step method:
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05292/ScottKenward-173-B4.jpg
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05292/ScottKenward-173.jpg
forgot to say I always dodge the teeth too.
on the man’s portrait I may have used liquefy to open up his smaller eye. And I always clone around the hair to remove strays.
H
Hecate
Jul 19, 2005
On Tue, 19 Jul 2005 14:57:22 -0400, "KatWoman" wrote:

I would use the Clone Tool and/or the Healing Brush at 100% 0pacity to remove wrinkles, blemishes and pores.
I would then use the Gaussian Blur filter AFTER the cloning steps. I also recommend reading Katrin Eiseman’s book. It has some very useful tips, tricks and techniques.
Bob Williams

All I ever retouch is people, of all ages and colors.
The recommendation to use the clone or healing at 100% is very baffling!! you will see ugly circles, I highly recommend using a softer edged brush and one that is less than 100 % opacity.

Absolutely. I use 5% opacity and build up the changes slowly.



Hecate – The Real One

Fashion: Buying things you don’t need, with money
you don’t have, to impress people you don’t like…

Master Retouching Hair

Learn how to rescue details, remove flyaways, add volume, and enhance the definition of hair in any photo. We break down every tool and technique in Photoshop to get picture-perfect hair, every time.

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