Retouching Challenge 011: Chuck in Uniform

[kaiman]

JT, nice job, too bad for the green cast as it makes the pic look muddy.

It happens that somehow you included the color profile when exporting your .jpg picture.

Try save for the web and make sure the color profile square remains unchecked.

Welcome aboard

[phyllis stewart]

Jorge, thanks for noticing the color profile inclusion! I didn't even know that could happen! All the more reason to use "save for web" option in Photoshop!

I started a thread in the Photo Retouching Discussion forum based on this. Click the thumbnail to see it.

[RKAA]

Using the colorizing method from http://www.worth1000.com/tutorial.asp?sid=161015
And then correcting own errors, which takes the most time. Correcting on separate layers, for color and saturation. Also som contrast tweaking, noise reduction and sharpening



http://pbase.com/image/46445705/original.jpg

R.K.

[phyllis stewart]

Nice to see Chuck again! Good job, RK. Thanks for the link...what an unusual method, but I'll bet it works great once you get used to it.

[RKAA]

Nice to see Chuck again! Good job, RK. Thanks for the link...what an unusual method, but I'll bet it works great once you get used to it.

Thank you, Phyllis. You're quick.. I was updating the link to the larger version while you replied.

The method isn't really so unusual.. its basically a hands-on version of the additive color system.

There are only two ways to mix colors. By mixing pigments (subtractive colors) or by mixing light. Working on a monitor, we work with light - RGB - so why not go all the way. Thus, all thinkable colors on earth are available by "unlocking them" on a combo of only three layers. The only problem then is being diciplined enough to limit the palette.

I changed the yellow in the tut for green and start with 100% opacity and black masks - read that hint somewhere in a post from Vikki Hansen. If you use yellow you'll see that it easily gets too yellow too fast.

The two methods of color mixing are described in detail on web - "additive colors" and "subtractive colors".

An entirely different cup of tea is how to choose matching colors. Some color temperatures and harmonies appeal stronger to the eye than others.. that's an essential key to the magic of colors. Which I don't master very well. But I'm better than I was two months ago :)

R.K.

[Tyeise]

Very nice work. I see you do like Phyllis does and have more than one color in skintones. It sure makes it look more realistic!

[phyllis stewart]

Tye, did you check out the link Kristin gave us? Really looks interesting...and might be fun to try it. You're always trying new things, Tye, so maybe you'll give this idea a try some day. I'm, as you know, too lazy to learn new ways.

[RKAA]

Very nice work. :-) I see you do like Phyllis does and have more than one color in skintones. It sure makes it look more realistic!

Thank you :) Colors is life. I'm using the modified technique from http://www.worth1000.com/tutorial.asp?sid=161015
(see above). It's absolutely worth the trouble of getting used to. My main problem with it was that it was described for an old version of PSP that I didn't have (I have PSCS2 and PSP9 here). Creating masks didn't work like the tutorial says, but it's comprehensible, I just had to think a little to set up the layers.

And I've been having fun ever since!


R.K.

[Sandra]

very nice job RKAA, you have a real talent for retouching. Do you do a lot of it?
Sandra

[RKAA]

very nice job RKAA, you have a real talent for retouching. Do you do a lot of it?
Sandra

Thank you, Sandra, and hello down under.

I haven't been doing this for so long - since May this year, really.
I'm 46 though - half-way around the block, so I wasn't born yesterday. I've used image editors on computers now and then for years. And I worked in a printing press, typography, darkroom, retouch, for a year and a half some 20 years ago. Always had weak heart for the fine arts, also.

But in May this year I had something of a revelation: I saw the works of Vikki Hansen. I saw the light, litterally speaking. And just had to try it.

I don't know if this is a craze or something I'll go on doing. But for now - I just do it - learning mode engaged - flawfinders welcome. Chances are that I learn best through cruelty and outright nitpicking ;)

R.K.

[Tyeise]

RK - I did go look at the tutorial after I left the comment. It looks interesting, but also looks like it would take a bunch of practice to get right. I'll have to try it when I get a bunch of time to play. I'm not real good at colors (what combinations make a color) so I don't know how well I'd do.

[dkcoats]

So hi. This is my first submission hereabouts. I chose a colorizing challenge for my debut because, well, I just really like colorizing.

My usual methodology involves gradient maps, usually in color mode. Important areas like skin & hair usually wind up with as many as 3 different layers each in a different mode with varied opacities and color balances. Skin, for example, might have color, overlay, and soft light layers.

Then there are beaucoup adjustment layers, mostly hue/sat. I add noise, both mono & color, to important layers - this is really important, in my view, and helps to alleviate the pasty, painted-on look you see a lot in colorizing.

Then I add a layer on which I airbrush a red/pink sort of color over the skin in various places at low opacity. Cheeks, nose, that sort of thing. Other places to a lesser extent. Helps bring the whole thing to life, I think.

This image wound up with about 25 layers, something like that.

I twiddle opacities, h/s layers, etc, until it looks right (which is the hardest part for me - deciding when it's done.)

[phyllis stewart]

DK, welcome to the Inn!

You sure did a great job on this... look forward to seeing more of your work!

[dkcoats]

Phyllis, thanks for the welcome and the kind words.

For the record, your entry in this thread is one of the most convincing colorizing jobs I've ever seen. Really nice work.

David

[kersi]

The work you did was good I like it Nice

This is the first time I'm been using forum and I'm seeing that a lot of people know retouching or are interested in it just for the fun of it .

Well I'm a Professional retoucher and I'm been doing it for the last 10years I started at the age of 16, but seeing the work around here Excellent well done


Regards

kersi

[phyllis stewart]

Kersi, welcome to the Inn!

Nice to have a professional retoucher stop by! Maybe you can share some of your trade secrets with us.

[Gisela]

Hello everyone

I haven't been for eons on this fantastic forum I have a little time and have also mastered a bit more how to handle photoshop so here I am posting my try at one of the challenges.

First I used levels and curves to bring the photo out a bit then colourized using the Primary coloured tutorial which use RGB 3 layers blue, yellow and red. The tutorial is far too long for me to explain in detailed it has layer masks in grey and taupe and just paint using the paint brush tools then just play about with blending modes and curves.

I thought I add the link from my pbase gallery where yu can see the photo in larger size.

http://www.pbase.com/mstmart/image/121677259/original

[phyllis stewart]

Wonderful work! Good to see you back, Gisela!

[Gisela]

:wow: Wonderful work! Good to see you back, Gisela!

Thank you for your nice comment Phyllis it is nice to be back and will post more challenges from innographx.

Best wishes



gisela