Frequency separation tends to have a bit of a controversial reputation, but when used carefully, it can be a great technique for specific retouching situations. This excellent video will show you how you can use frequency separation for retouching in Photoshop.
Coming to you from Anthony Morganti, this great video will show you the power of the frequency separation technique in Photoshop. Frequency separation tends to get a lot of bad press, as the problem is that it is highly powerful, and as such, it can very easy to be heavy-handed with it, which quickly leads to artificial and plastic-looking results. However, used in moderation and in the appropriate situations, it is extremely useful, allowing you to do anything from evening out skin tone to removing stains from a shirt without affecting the fabric pattern. The fundamental premise of the technique is separating out broader (low-frequency) data from more detailed (high-frequency) data, allowing you to edit color and tonality separately from textures and details like skin pores. Just be careful to use a light touch and not rely on it for everything. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
You can download Morganti's frequency separation Photoshop action here.
Also:
The Ultimate Guide To The Frequency Separation Technique
https://fstoppers.com/post-production/ultimate-guide-frequency-separatio...
A Guide to Frequency Separation in Photoshop
https://fstoppers.com/education/guide-frequency-separation-photoshop-382398\
A Guide to Retouching Using Frequency Separation
https://fstoppers.com/education/guide-retouching-using-frequency-separat...
How to Use Frequency Separation for Retouching
https://fstoppers.com/portraits/how-use-frequency-separation-retouching-...
Frequency Separation With Fashion Photographer & Retoucher Elena Jasic
https://fstoppers.com/post-production/frequency-separation-fashion-photo...
In my opinion, no. Just no.
Iv come across work where this gets pushed too far. Where the skin is just too much the focus of the photo. Its a little distracting to see every pore, line and bump. Id rather have the acne. More natural to the eye.
Agreed. Frequency separation, if used with care and with preserving texture in mind, can lead to okay results. I never use it anymore as it doesn't produce the look i love. It is not my end game. Only time i use freq sep is when i want to do a quick edit and don't care about the final result.
When I learned this technique I was very heavy handed with it and was trying to emulate that '500px look'. Then I learned to be more restrained and only use it when I need to and I find it to be a brilliant method to smooth out the little things.