Trying to branch out a bit and use Photoshop for what it was meant for (I'm learning to use layers more!) This is the first time I've ever done anything more than global adjustments to a portrait. I cloned out a few blemishes, smoothed the skin, added highlights to the hair, and a few other things I can't remember anymore.

Anyway, how'd I do? I tried to be as conservative as I could since I'm not a fan of the overprocessed look that oftentimes comes along with skin softening. Does this photo look believable to you?

SLC

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Does this photo look believable to you?

SLC

Definitely, and well done at that. The light is wonderful!

John

[SLC Flyfishing]

Yeah, most of the lighting (at least the special effects on her hair were added after the fact) I dodged the existing highlights and once that was done I created a brightness/contrast layer in CS3 and used the gradient tool set to the circular setting to make an effect that looks sort of like a hair light.

In actuality this was shot inside a rotten rail car (a passenger one with plenty of windows to let in ambient light) I think it was done at F/2 but can't remember for sure, and it was shot with a K10D and FA 50 mm f/1.4 lens. No flash or reflectors or anything like that, just the lens and camera and the right time of day. I do have a 540 flash gun but didn't use it during this shoot because the ambient lighting was so perfect that I didn't want to risk spoiling it with anything artificial.

I'm loving some of the things that can be done with the gradient tool and layers, I'll be experimenting quite a bit over the coming weeks with what I can do with older portraits.

SLC

[Techiechick]

A beautiful capture of a lovely young lady. I like the way she seems to be playing with the camera. The catch lights in her eyes are good. You did a fine job of editing too.

[codiac2600]

Wonderful capture and great post work. I think you did marvelously

[SLC Flyfishing]

Would anyone be interested in seeing the original unedited version?