Retouching Faces

By Tom Roberts

The object is to soften the effects of aging and character lines with out totally removing them.

Basics

• Duplicate Background Layer.
• Work on the Background Copy layer.
• Show or hide Background Copy layer to check progress.
• Crop (c) the image, set the size and relolution.
• Adjust the tonal values with the Levels (Cmd + l) or Brightness/Contrast commands.
• Make any color adjustments that are necessary.

Eyes

Red Eye, Retouch with the Red Eye brush (y) if required.

Improving Eye Highlights. Add sparkle to the eyes.

• Select each eye.
• Sharpen with Unsharp Mask.

Improve the white areas of the eyes.

• Select the whites of each eye, Magic Wand Tool (w) works well.
• Select Sponge Tool (q)
• Select appropriate brush size.
• Mode: Desaturate
• Flow: 50% to 100%
• Stroke area to be corrected until desired results are achieved.
• Or use Hue/Saturation dialog box (Cmd+u) to desaturate.

Wrinkles and Shadows around eyes.

• Select a good patch of skin tone with the Eye Dropper Tool (i).
  Sample: 3x3 average.
• Select Brush Tool (b).
  Select appropriate size soft brush.
  Mode: Lighten.
  Opacity: about 10%.
  Stroke area to be corrected until desired results are achieved.
• Select Blur Tool (r) or the Smudge Tool (f) for softening and cleanup.
  Select appropriate size soft brush.
  Mode: Normal.
  Strength: about 50%
  Stroke area to be corrected until desired results are achieved.
  A random zigzag pattern often works better then just dragging in a straight line.

Whitening Teeth

• Select Teeth, Magic Wand Tool (w) works well.
• Select Sponge Tool (q)
  Select appropriate brush size.
  Mode: Desaturate
  Flow: 50% to 100%
  Stroke area to be corrected until desired results are achieved.
  Color can be added to the lips with this procedure, just change the Mode to Saturate.
  Or use Hue/Saturation dialog box (Cmd+u) to desaturate or saturate.

Minor Skin Creases and Blemishes

   The Smudge Tool (f) works well.

• Select appropriate brush size.
• Mode: Normal or Lighten.
• Strength: 10% to 50%
• Stroke area to be corrected until desired results are achieved.
• A random zigzag pattern often works better then just dragging in a straight line.

Each image has its own unique problems. One solution will not work for all situations. Experimentation and practice is the only way to build knowledge and experience.

Work slowly and carefully. Speed is the not your friend. If things are not working out as you wish, use the history palette to backup and try again.

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