My first attempt at a retouch

[Stann]

Hello all, this is my first ever attempt at retouching a photograph. I have done a lot of reading on the "best" techniques, and I have to say its a tough learning curve.

I have experimented with various techniques and hope I have progressed in a positive way. The reason for attempting these changes is for my illustration work in which I am planning to incorporate more photographic material for montage etc.

Although I am heading toward the "glamor" look in this pic, I have tried my best not to overwork thing and make them feel... to fake.

I would love to get some feedback on what I am doing correct (if anything) and what I should work to improve on, and how I could go about this - Thanks in advance :)

Original:

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6083/kate02c.jpg

Outcome:

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9503/kate01r.jpg

[purplerose]

Really good! Love the work on the skin

A couple of things I noticed:
-Watch out for you reds, especially in the shirt.
-The light reflects in the eyes look a bit oversharpened. I think softening the edges would make them look more realistic.


Hopefully, others who are more experienced at this will chime in. :)

Cheers!

[Stann]

Really good! Love the work on the skin

A couple of things I noticed:
-Watch out for you reds, especially in the shirt.
-The light reflects in the eyes look a bit oversharpened. I think softening the edges would make them look more realistic.


Hopefully, others who are more experienced at this will chime in. :)

Cheers!

Thanks very much for your input :) it's really appreciated

A couple of things I noticed:
-Watch out for you reds, especially in the shirt -

As far as the reds on the shirt go, I never actually noticed them until you mentioned it! They are no way near that prominent on my working image, possibly something to so with saving under a different format and reducing size. To be brutally honest I have given no attention to clothing so far as I just focused on the facial features - I shall go have a fiddle and see what I can do to solve it :)

-The light reflects in the eyes look a bit over sharpened. I think softening the edges would make them look more realistic.-

Now I have had time to see back and look, I agree, for me the eyes and hair have been by far the hardest things to get looking correct. I have gone back and softened up the eyes to give a more natural look, the reflections are proving difficult though because anything I seem to do, makes the entire eye look..."weird" for use of a better word.

On a separate note, I have also gone and added a gradient to the hair to emphasis some shine that hopefully pulls attention towards the eyes. I will post a modified copy later today :)

- Thanks again, Stann

[Stann]

here is an updated image, just a few slight adjustments, extra constructive crit is very welcome :)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1990/kate03.jpg

[purplerose]

This is even better! Really love the improvements!