Soften portraits

[Manfred]

Based on a hint from Ken I post here a simple way how I usually soften my portraits.
First the basis:
1240
Then the result:
1241
I know that is not the utmost one can do, but this is an example how one can do it within one minute.
My tool is Adobe Lightroom (current version 2.7). This tool is foreseen for professionals having the burden to manage lots of photographs within a short time, maybe 500 in 2 hours time.
In this particular case I used the CLARITY function. It does what the word is saying if you turn the slider to the right. Sliding to the left softens the whole picture. Then I used the GRADUATED FILTER (shortcut M) and brightened up the top of the portrait because it seems a little too dark for me. As a final step I used the FILL LIGHT to brighten up the darker areas generally. If you like you can put some brush strokes (K) to eyes, eyebrows and lips to sharpen these details again (not done in this case).
That's it, as I said, it took a minute.
Of course if you have to do it for a magazine Photoshop is the right tool but takes a "little" longer.
Best regards
Manfred

[KrishnenduKes]

LR Softening Technique Discussion Approved

[Aryan]

@Manfred: Lovely little tip there, sir. Thanks! :) The 'clarity' slider is there on the Adobe Photoshop RAW program too, but the LR one is pretty much better, is what I feel. :)

[KrishnenduKes]

@Manfred: Lovely little tip there, sir. Thanks! :) The 'clarity' slider is there on the Adobe Photoshop RAW program too, but the LR one is pretty much better, is what I feel. :)

Actually what I am more interested in is the brush that he is talking about in LR! I would like to learn that one!

[Ranjith]

Thanks for the tip but if the original pic had a little more lighting/brightness id like that better than the Softend one! :) i think it got a little too soft!

[varun_naturelover]

Can be done with RPM beautifier as well..

[KrishnenduKes]

Can be done with RPM beautifier as well..

What is that!!!

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Sir,

you are not using LR3 beta?they have refined it to a nice level according to me.

Anvancy

[Manfred]

Yes, of course do I have the 3beta too, but this should not be taken as a reference yet.
Regards

Sir,

you are not using LR3 beta?they have refined it to a nice level according to me.

Anvancy

[Manfred]

Understood, it's always a question of "taste" and what you are using the photograph for, private, Magazine or what ever. You'll get as many different results as users you ask for modifying, I think.:)

Thanks for the tip but if the original pic had a little more lighting/brightness id like that better than the Softend one! :) i think it got a little too soft!

[anants_550]

Hi, I do some photoshop on some portraits myself(with whatever little skills I have), but doesn't the touched image look unreal ? Like to me it looks fake :(
I know all pictures in magazines are heavily touched up, but then that's how the industry works, why touch up a good picture to make it look plastic ?

[Bibudesh]

Hi, I do some photoshop on some portraits myself(with whatever little skills I have), but doesn't the touched image look unreal ? Like to me it looks fake :(
I know all pictures in magazines are heavily touched up, but then that's how the industry works, why touch up a good picture to make it look plastic ?

Are u planning to get printed on a magazine front page? If not then share your portrait making sure that the 'basics' are correct. With basics I mean right exposure, angle of compo, contrast, white balance, color etc. Do PP only if required.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Hi, I do some photoshop on some portraits myself(with whatever little skills I have), but doesn't the touched image look unreal ? Like to me it looks fake :(
I know all pictures in magazines are heavily touched up, but then that's how the industry works, why touch up a good picture to make it look plastic ?

He has not even touched the topic of making symmetry of portraits in photoshop.

Point being,thats how the fashion industry works.it likes flawless skin.cant help it.

Anvancy

[anants_550]

Would anyone good at portrait retouching, touch up a portrait for me ?

[KrishnenduKes]

Would anyone good at portrait retouching, touch up a portrait for me ?

We can always try!

[anants_550]

We can always try!

Managed to use Topaz plugin. Works like a charm. Example :

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6052097636_7613967250.jpg

[hensil]

Managed to use Topaz plugin. Works like a charm. Example :

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6052097636_7613967250.jpg

What did you manage and what worked like a charm in this picture?
Henry

[anants_550]

haha ! good question.
This works for me at least, but it'd be great if it could be better.
Here it is :

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6061905748_404fd8dfd8.jpg

[hensil]

haha ! good question.
This works for me at least, but it'd be great if it could be better.
Here it is :



Hi,
I still see no difference in the two pictures. Maybe due to small size. Never mind, what's important that you are happy.:)
Henry

[anants_550]

Hi,
I still see no difference in the two pictures. Maybe due to small size. Never mind, what's important that you are happy.:)
Henry

i'll mail the big size to you if you want. I am new to PS, just manage to do a little bit here and there after going through you tube.

[hensil]

i'll mail the big size to you if you want. I am new to PS, just manage to do a little bit here and there after going through you tube.

For easy and quick portrait touch up try this.
http://www.portraitprofessional.com/
Henry

[Devaiah PA]

For easy and quick portrait touch up try this.
http://www.portraitprofessional.com/
Henry

Thats a killer.... works out for pro work - printing hoardings.

If used on our photos, i feel the identity of the person is lost

[hensil]

Thats a killer.... works out for pro work - printing hoardings.

If used on our photos, i feel the identity of the person is lost

I have this software from last 3 years and must have used it only thrice. Honestly, I don't like the plastic looks. However, one can control the amount of plasticity on the portrait.:)
Henry

[KrishnenduKes]

Hi,
I still see no difference in the two pictures. Maybe due to small size. Never mind, what's important that you are happy.:)
Henry

If you look closer, he has removed the blemishes and made the skin look smoother and more toned.

[anants_550]

If you look closer, he has removed the blemishes and made the skin look smoother and more toned.

Do you find it near decent ?


Hensil, I tried the software you mentioned too a couple of days back. I used it as accurately as I could, and it shrinked the model's face and changed some features.
However, the good thing is that, you can make changes to the nose shape,length,lip shape,etc.
The photographer told me that a lot of beauty retouch artists use this.

[hensil]

Do you find it near decent ?


Hensil, I tried the software you mentioned too a couple of days back. I used it as accurately as I could, and it shrinked the model's face and changed some features.
However, the good thing is that, you can make changes to the nose shape,length,lip shape,etc.
The photographer told me that a lot of beauty retouch artists use this.

Anant,
All the features are user controllable. Look at the settings.
Henry

[KrishnenduKes]

Do you find it near decent ?




Definitely looks better to me.