using Gaussian blur on portraits
Feb 4, 2013 15:58:42 #
I've been editing some wedding photos and would like your opinion. One way to 'clean up' a pic is to use Gaussian blur in Photoshop Elements. I'm attaching a 'before and after' and would like your comments. Is the latter not sharp enough or does it accomplish the objective of producing a photo the bride will approve?
Feb 4, 2013 16:28:04 #
Looks good. But like see a version with one more pass of deblurr, just for comparison.
Feb 4, 2013 17:05:54 #
Personally I don't like the blur over the whole picture, particularly for portraits or photos of people. It looks like an out of focus picture. What are you trying accomplish, that may help in providing some pointers. Again this is just my opinon and some may like the blur.
Thanks GP
Thanks GP
Feb 4, 2013 18:32:46 #
No quality retoucher I know uses just a Gaussian (alone) for softening. Typically it is used with noise or a high pass filter to help retain(the look of)skin texture.
Feb 5, 2013 01:26:53 #
Nope. Just using Gaussian Blur is no way to do this. Pale Pictures is right - a BIT of blur applied in small areas in conjunction with other techniques is far more appropriate. Plug-ins like Portraiture allow you to apply skin softening that ONLY affects skin and leaves other areas alone. It also allows you to apply the effect to a layer mask so you can brush away unwanted areas. IMO, while I do use Portraiture sparingly, I prefer other methods that soften while retaining skin texture.
There are far better ways to soften an overall image - NIK Glamor Glow used lightly can make a nice softness as can NIK Classical Soft Focus.
As Russ indicated, there are far more sophisticated ways to retouch skin and Gaussian Blur is usually just a small step and even then at a low level.
Your After image just looks like bad focus.
There are far better ways to soften an overall image - NIK Glamor Glow used lightly can make a nice softness as can NIK Classical Soft Focus.
As Russ indicated, there are far more sophisticated ways to retouch skin and Gaussian Blur is usually just a small step and even then at a low level.
Your After image just looks like bad focus.
Feb 5, 2013 11:25:12 #
Thank you for your comments. Looking back on it, this thread was really a waste of everyones time. The use of Gaussian blur alone clearly produces an inferior product and it was blatantly obvious in the two photos prior to my posting. I suppose that I, like so many before me, wanted to avoid the obvious and find that magic bullet that never exists.
Feb 5, 2013 18:00:35 #
It wasn't a waste of time. I am not very familiar with portraiture PP so I learned something from this thread. Thanks.
gym wrote:
Thank you for your comments. Looking back on it, this thread was really a waste of everyones time. The use of Gaussian blur alone clearly produces an inferior product and it was blatantly obvious in the two photos prior to my posting. I suppose that I, like so many before me, wanted to avoid the obvious and find that magic bullet that never exists.
Feb 5, 2013 19:17:06 #
Real retouching - as you found out - is more than just blurring. Last month at the PPA convention, I spent a whole day in a small class with Jane Connor-Ziser and the whole day was nothing but retouching techniques. She even winces when someone mentions she Portraiture plug-in as she uses just the tools that are in Photoshop. Her output is breathtaking - skin looks fantastic but it has texture and pores. Amazingly beautiful yet natural. I learned a lot.
I will still use Portraiture for some of the quick and dirty stuff like headshots for business cards and web use, but for real portraits...not so much.
http://www.janeconner-ziser.com/janecz/Home.html
I will still use Portraiture for some of the quick and dirty stuff like headshots for business cards and web use, but for real portraits...not so much.
http://www.janeconner-ziser.com/janecz/Home.html
Feb 6, 2013 08:49:00 #
if you want something quick an easy.....do a search on photo retouching actions to use in photo shop.
I have a few that i use (my favorite is proretouch2.0 by "get totally rad")...if you run the actions in photoshop...these will create a series of layers with layermasks....you choose the layer..such as skin and use a brush to apply it to the skin...then just adjust opacity to your preference...then choose the eyes layer and do the work on the eyes, etc...
another great set is by glamazon. does a lot of the same thing.
I mostly use lightroom and the adjustment brushes.
you can just use photoshop or lightroom without any additional stuff. do a search on amazon on photoshop retouching or retouching in photoshop..there.s tons of free tutorials. look for the ones by serge ramelli or calvin hollywood.
by the quality of the captains portraits on his website...I wish he had a series of tutorials on his methods.....I would pay about any price for those!!!
I have a few that i use (my favorite is proretouch2.0 by "get totally rad")...if you run the actions in photoshop...these will create a series of layers with layermasks....you choose the layer..such as skin and use a brush to apply it to the skin...then just adjust opacity to your preference...then choose the eyes layer and do the work on the eyes, etc...
another great set is by glamazon. does a lot of the same thing.
I mostly use lightroom and the adjustment brushes.
you can just use photoshop or lightroom without any additional stuff. do a search on amazon on photoshop retouching or retouching in photoshop..there.s tons of free tutorials. look for the ones by serge ramelli or calvin hollywood.
by the quality of the captains portraits on his website...I wish he had a series of tutorials on his methods.....I would pay about any price for those!!!
Feb 6, 2013 09:03:05 #
here's a 5 minute retouch. the image contains a lot of noise. I think if you wanted to spend 15 minutes on it..could probably do much better.
Feb 6, 2013 09:11:11 #
Mar 2, 2013 18:21:42 #
Hi Gym, I do a lot of photo touching, very seldom use the Gaussian blur, however, if you put a mask on and bring back the clarity over the eyes hair and all lines, I think you will get much better results. You might also want to play with the opacity. I hope this might be a little bit of help.
Michael
Michael
Mar 5, 2013 16:08:51 #
I think this is what you wanted to do. If you like it send me a pm and I will tell you what I did.
Original.
After retouch.
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