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:



Outcome:

[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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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

[purplerose]

This is even better! Really love the improvements!