Hey guys!
It seems many of you use the Fstoppers Groups as a way to get critics and comments on your images, and it's fantastic! I believe it's one of the best use of the groups. The community being made mostly of passionate photographers rather than trolls, it's also one of the best ways to progress!
But for a change, I wanted to open a discussion regarding your biggest issues when it comes to beauty and portrait photography and retouching. What are some of the things you wish you could do better? What would you like to learn? What techniques do you feel like you misuse or do not understand fully? No matter if it's pre, post, or production issues, share them with us here! I'd love to hear from you!
My biggest concern, as someone new to shooting beauty, is still what I don't know that I don't know - or things I think I know that are wrong. Eg I started off without realizing that beauty work needs a reasonable amount of hard light - softer definitely isn't always better.
(So, yes, I'm most concerned about "Unknown unknowns"...)
Mostly have issues with properly dodging and burning, and more importantly, knowing when its enough. Same applies to hue/saturation adjustments to the dodge/burn layers.
My issue is when to use the beauty dish grid and when not to use the gird.
I'm currently writing a few articles with different light setup examples for both portrait and beauty. I hope they'll help out! Regarding the use of grids, I find them especially useful when you want the uttermost control over light – for example, avoid spill on the background, light only the face
A big issue a lot of people don't think about are small hairs on arms or goosebumbs, a real pain to get rid of
So true! Peach fuzz and hair in general are a pain to retouch! Most people seem to be searching for a way to retouch it, while it should be taken care of before the shoot.
Hi. In frequency separation technique I want to explain me better please why I should use an empty layer between high and low frequency layers...I want to use that layer as probably it is useful a lot ! I think I do not understand it a bit(
Here I am attaching the photo....my third attempt of using fs technique. Hope with practice will reach better level.
If you get into beauty retouching, you may want to learn more about non-destructive retouching and use frequency separation only when needed, especially for skin retouching ;) Dodge & burn, heal brush, clone stamp tool, and curves are going to give you a much more natural result if used properly. FS is a way to clean some very specific issues or save time (to the detriment of quality though).
Thanks a lot for the answer! I follow all your articles, especially about fs tips and they are awasome! already learned a lot from there. I know that beauty needs a lot post and as you say non-destructive as well. I am trying to master portrait as well as editorial and beauty retouch, etc. I want to reach with some time acceptable level.
Has anyone bought a retouch 101-301 from PHLearn ? His approach is much more controlled FS and D&B. For portraits, people / family prefer just removing the blemishes. For editorial beauty agencies prefer high end retouch still within the realm of natural look.
I mainly shoot portraits, I use FS to smooth out skin colour but very little. I don't want my client showing a portrait to her guests and they say vow what a beautiful portrait but who is this ? Any advice on any good retouch tutorial pls let me know. I am keen to buy one to improve my skills.
Thanks
Kannan (Instagram: @kannankanagaraj)
Color grading. When a model brings their hands into a photograph and it's a different color than their face.