Correcting challenging skin tones can be one of the most frustrating parts of photo editing. Here's how to get reliable results every time.
Coming to you from Unmesh Dinda with PiXimperfect, this thorough video explains how to tackle stubborn skin tone issues in Photoshop. Dinda starts by using Adobe Camera Raw as the first line of defense. Adjustments to white balance, color mixer, and luminance can often resolve many common issues. However, when the results still don’t feel quite right, he suggests moving to the more targeted adjustments using the eyedropper tool in Camera Raw. These steps help isolate problematic tones, allowing you to fine-tune hues, saturation, and luminance for better accuracy.
For more severe cases, Dinda demonstrates a “secret weapon” using Neural Filters in Photoshop. This tool, designed for recoloring black-and-white images, can also work wonders on challenging skin tones. By automatically analyzing and adjusting the problematic areas, it delivers a much-needed starting point when traditional methods fall short. While it’s not flawless, the Neural Filter offers significant time savings and helps establish a strong foundation for further refinements.
The video also explores blending techniques to fix smaller color inconsistencies. By using a soft brush and sampling good skin tones, you can correct issues without affecting the image's overall quality. Dinda emphasizes the importance of layer masking and blending modes to keep adjustments subtle and focused. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Dinda.