Photoshop and Capture One offer nuanced controls that address complex aspects of photo editing, such as skin retouching and precise color grading. This helpful portrait retouching tutorial will show you how to get the most out of them.
Coming to you from Prince Meyson, this insightful video begins by showcasing the power of Capture One. Meyson starts with a raw photo, almost flat and underexposed straight out of the camera. He quickly jumps into enhancing it step-by-step in Capture One. For instance, Meyson drags the highlights in to add brightness, and then, he raises shadows to achieve a balanced look. These minute adjustments lay a strong foundation before the move to Photoshop for further refinement.
In the third part of the video, Meyson works on skin retouching in Photoshop. The importance of using a clone stamp tool is emphasized for cleaning up stray hair and other minor imperfections. He also touches on micro dodge and burn techniques to fix minor shadow issues that give certain parts of the face a droopy appearance. These tiny tweaks, although less obvious, cumulatively result in significant improvements. The goal is to maintain a natural look while enhancing clarity and detail, which Meyson achieves by removing fine blemishes and making strategic color corrections.
What's equally fascinating is Meyson’s approach to color correction using Capture One before jumping into Photoshop. By adjusting tones and introducing subtle tints, he fine-tunes the image in a way that prepares it for high-end retouching. Post-initial correction, Meyson’s step-by-step journey through Photoshop includes not just basic skin retouching but also the delicate task of Global and Micro Dodge and Burn. These techniques ensure that the shading and highlights on the face and body would look natural and aesthetically pleasing, making the subjects appear younger and more vibrant without looking unnatural. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Meyson.
