When Unmesh Dinda of PiXimperfect says that this is hands down the best automated skin retouching software ever created, you might want to pay attention.
Retouching using artificial intelligence is not new, but it’s definitely an area that was still waiting for major improvements before it could begin to compete with the skills of an experienced retoucher. Dinda has put together a comparison that shows the potential of three new Photoshop plugins and is blown away by the results. Right now the three plugins will cost you around $320.
Artificial intelligence will continue to change photography and, like Dinda, I’m also slightly critical of Adobe’s odd approach to implementing it into their software, presenting half-complete solutions that seem more like novelty items rather than useful tools that fit seamlessly into one of the most important professional-level software packages ever created. For example, a few weeks ago, I asked why photo-editing software hasn’t been developed to automatically remove sensor dirt when ingesting images. If deep learning can be taught to differentiate between noise and detail, surely it can be taught to differentiate between sky and dust. While Adobe is busy making people look old and adding weird smiles, Luminar Neo looks to be ahead of the game.
Will you check out the plugins from Retouch4me? Let us know in the comments below.
I'm a fan of Unmesh, have been following his YouTube channel for a while, but I feel this review is one of those he makes mainly for money. Just as with Luminar, it didn't convince me. Luminar is somewhat spectacular, but at the time I used the trial, it was sluggish and cumbersome. Just like you, I'm hoping Photoshop will improve their "neural filters", so that photographers like myself, who are NOT keen on heavy retouching, should be able to use its features, rather than pay ridiculous amounts for various plugins and panels that really could be replaced with a bit of effort from Adobe developers. Thanks for the article, you're one of my favorite FStoppers writer.
Just what the world needs. Another one-click tool to turn into plastic fantastic fanatics.
The big question is, does it work on black and yellow skin too or is it just another white thing?
--- "The big question is, does it work on black and yellow skin too or is it just another white thing?"
It's works just as well. I think it's because it targets luminosity instead of color....maybe.
Sample image from the web:
1. First image is the original.
2. Second image, I did 2 passes. 1st pass just using the default (100 of 200). 2nd pass targeting shadows under eyes and around mouth and increasing the effectiveness (150 of 200).
3. Third image, apply their Heal using defaults.
Thanks for the example. Does seem to work well on dark skin tones :-)
Did make him look 10 years younger though :-(
It just makes him look more refreshed...like he was shot in better lighting and had proper sleep. This is how I would have delivered it, except I would have done more d&b on his temple. And, like with literally every plugin or software, you can adjust the strength/effectiveness to taste.
I typically spend the majority of my time dodging and burning my images. It's a pain in the ass but I love the results. So, I was messing around with their Dodge & Burn for 3 days…and, I ended up buying it. Thing is amazing in that it basically does what I spend time on but it does it in about 40 seconds. Granted, it's not perfect, but it gets me about 90% there, give or take. Also, it does its magic without any kind of blurring method. It retains the skin textures.
Some people don't seem to realize when it comes to any plugin, is you still have to control it. You don't just blindly apply it. Sometimes you have to reduce its effectiveness and/or selectively only apply in certain areas.
I have tried most of the plugins and I am mostly satisfied with heal, volumes, and dodge/burn. It doesn't catch everything and it isn't as thorough as me doing it manually. It at least provides a good starting point and its the only plugin I have found that actually creates layers in Photoshop for me.
I wish this kind of skin retouching can be applied in real dermatology instead…
Counterproductive pricing. I buy most everything but this scheme and level is stupid. I hope these products survive this stupidity as they are nice extra tools and I hate dependence on adobe.
Let's cut to the chase, forget about human models and just CGI-render the sort of people we really want to see. In fact, why stop with just people? We can synthesize the city skylines, the wildlife... there won't be much left but sports. Wait - are those human figure-skaters, or robots?
Unfortunately a few models I have worked with like them to be photoshopped that way.
Just downloaded it !
I suggest you be VERY wary of Skylum's business model. Neo is just the latest in a series of 'sell and don't support' software from this company. If history is any gauge, Neo will be replaced in short order by the next Skylum offering.
Rather weirdly, Unmesh Dinda has now removed all the videos about Retouch4Me! Can't think why he would do that unless he was allegedly paid to do so by a rival company?
I still see his videos on YouTube.