Cutting It In Photoshop
Portrait Retouching -
Photoshop Tools and Options
Real retouching requires mastery of a variety of Photoshop tools in order to create the best possible results in the minimum amount of time. It’s been my experience when training large groups of artists, (such as at colour labs), that most of the artists are very good and can create artwork that looks very similar in finished result BUT one artist may work on an image for two hours and another artist could do the job in 20 minutes. The difference? The plan for the job, the tools selected and the speed in which the artist works.
On most faces you will find that one tool will get you started and another will finish the job quickly. Here’s the ones that I use along with the options I most often use for them:
Spot Healing Brush: Normal Mode, Proximity Match, Sample All Layers is checked. Create a new layer on which to apply the spot healing. Use it to remove small spots like flecks of make-up, stray whiskers or ‘dust’ spots. The technique is simple; just colour over the spot you wish to remove, but only cover what needs to be covered. Be delicate! The layer is usually used at 100% opacity and is merged onto the background copy upon completion of the task.
Healing Brush: Normal Mode, Sampled, Aligned is not checked, Sample All Layers is selected. Create a new layer upon which to apply the healing brush. Use it to minimise the contrast in highly textured areas such as multiple crinkles around the eyes, frown lines, neck lines and very deep smile lines. Select a source with smooth skin texture (Option or Alt tap) and apply light strokes over the textured area until it is smooth. Reduce opacity to taste (about 30–50% generally) and merge onto the background copy. Finish the job with the Dodge and Burn tools and the Brush tool if needed.
Patch Tool: On most images, use the option of Source to remove definite spots such as blemishes and unwanted moles. It’s also good for cleaning up backgrounds (removing electric wall sockets, etc) and repairing clothing. Use it directly on the background copy unless you feel insecure and, in that case, duplicate the background copy for the technique. The technique is to use the tool to circle the spot you wish to remove, then drag the selection over an area that contains the texture you would prefer. Photoshop will match the colour and value for you. If you are working on a face with few unblemished areas, change the option from Source to Destination. With this setting, circle a smooth area of skin, then drag and drop it repeatedly over the spots you wish to remove. The work from the patch tool is also usually finished with the Dodge and Burn tools. (If you have made a duplicate of the background copy to apply the patch tool to, merge it onto the background copy upon completion of the work.)
Brush Tool: The Brush tool is very versatile for retouching! It is used to re tint small discolourations caused by extensive dodging and burning, correct unpleasant skin tones, fix make-up, fill in hair, correct teeth, add vignettes and enhance eyes. It will be used in a multitude of sizes and styles, with a variety of options and blending modes so make sure you get a lot of practice with it! Paint on a layer whenever possible so you can adjust opacity, erase, apply layer masks, and change blending modes – tip – each colour, or each step of the work gets it’s own layer. When the work is completed with this tool it is common to group the layers from a single task, like enhancing eyes, then merge everything onto the background copy when the entire job has been completed.
Clone Stamp Tool: Use this tool to make trees and bushes, cover objects in the background and trim clothing. DON’T use it on the face! The options are usually used at Normal Mode, Opacity Varying, Flow 100%, Aligned is checked and Sample All Layers is selected. Apply the Clone Stamp to a separate layer by selecting one particular area (Option or Alt tap) and copying it to the place you want to cover. Many times edges are blended with the Dodge and Burn tools, value is adjusted using Levels or Curves or the colour is balanced. Merge this layer onto the background copy when the work has been completed.
Blur Tool: I use it to soften edges that remain too sharp after other methods have been used. It’s a touch-up tool for me and I set the options to Normal Mode, 50% strength. Don’t overdo it – take the time to do the best you can up front.
Smudge Tool: This tool is great for making eyelashes and detailing the edges of hair on layer masks! For eyelashes, use it on a separate layer that has been changed from Normal to Multiply blending mode. Set the options for the Smudge tool to Normal Mode, 70% strength and check Sample All Layers. Grab and pull eyelashes out from the opening of the eyelids, adjust the edges and opacity, and include with the layer groups for eye enhancement. For working on layer masks, set the opacity and size of the brush to the amount of work that needs to be done and detail the edges of the layer mask by pulling it in and out around the edges of the hair.
Dodge and Burn Tools: These are my all-time favourites for skin work. I prefer them over all other dodging and burning methods because they allow me to dodge to white and burn to black with very little discolourations compared to other methods (such as image adjustment layers, 50% grey fill layers, etc). They are applied directly to the background copy (or, if you are timid, a duplicate of it). The options on both tools are set to the Range of Midtones and the exposure set to 5% (can be reduced to 3% if the tool ‘rushes’ you – makes a mark every time you make a stroke). Protect Tones is not checked for skin work on the Dodge tool, but may be selected for the Burn tool. The Dodge tool is used to colour over ‘splotchy’ areas that are too dark, and the Burn tool is used to colour over ‘splotchy’ areas that are too light. They are used to contour lighting, shape faces, blend skin tones, reduce wrinkles, fix edges of other artwork …there are many uses for these tools. Brush size is important when dodging and burning. The brush size should be just slightly smaller than the area you wish to lighten or darken. Brush size must be changed frequently; don’t try to get by with one because you’re too lazy to change it! There IS a shortcut, however. With one of the tools selected (I usually use the Dodge tool), the Option or Alt key may be held down while working to access the other tool. This means you can be dodging, then holding down the Option or Alt key; you will be burning using the same brush. When you release the Option or Alt key, you go back to the original function of the tool.
This covers the tool set for portrait retouching and the most common options and techniques used with them. Retouching artists also use layers, layer masks, selection tools, masking options, paths, filters and plug-ins but we’ll get to those in future sessions. Good retouching artists can use all of these tools unconsciously, just like good photographers use their cameras without thinking about what they are doing with them. It’s common to start a job with the Healing Brush and finish it with Dodging and Burning. It’s common to recolour an area of the face, especially when one of the lights or reflectors is out of position or too hot. Concentrate on developing a complete tool box of options you can pull out as needed for any retouching job you’re faced with – every job is different.
See you soon – Thanks! Jane
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