When to use this masking method There are many options for masking objects and models in Adobe Photoshop. If the current methods fail, you have to resort to unknown and creative ways to help yourself. This method is also suitable for more complex objects and hair. The background should be as solid as possible (not white, grey, or black). Method – Step by Step Guide Use the Eyedropper (I) tool to sample a larger area of the background (minimum of […]
So far, removing dust spots has been one of the first steps in post-production. Previously, there were two ways to do this: While the limited number of 100 points within the Remove Spot option in Capture One 12 was quite unflexible and, of course, limited; Photoshop was more time-consuming but more accurate and flexible in the shape of the correction area. There we used the combination of our Solar Curve (= Dust Spot Finder) and Healing Brush/Spot Healing Brush. Some time passed, […]
Facial aging is a dynamic process involving the aging of soft tissue and bony structures. In image editing or retouching, we influence this bone structure and the fall of light on the human face through Dodge&Burn (painting with light and shadow) and Liquify. We must therefore be clear whether we are artificially rejuvenating a model and whether this is intentional or undesirable. We also have to be careful not to mix different signs of age, i.e., to hide some signs […]
Large amounts of data are generated during post-production – previews, composites, layered and non-layered versions, revisions, etc. – also for the client. These files consume storage space and must be backed up. Ultimately, we have to keep an eye on our files and reduce the file size to a minimum – of course, without loss of quality. Minimize RAW files Dotphoton Raw offers lossless compression of RAW files with up to 80% file size reduction. Check out their website to get […]
Dodge & Burn is a subject where opinions differ. There are many ways to make areas in the picture lighter or darker. We quickly discuss the different methods and test them for suitability – there are sky-wide differences. Dodge & Burn Tools (DE: Abwedler & Nachbelichter) Photoshop has always offered two tools for Dodge & Burn. Surely everyone has experienced this situation: take the Dodge tool and painted around in the picture, oops done too much, used the Burn tool to […]
Author: Stefan Kohler What is the “Solar Curve”? The “Solar Curve” looks like a wave created from the normal linear curve inside of Photoshop. Normally 4 or 6 points are inserted. Mathematically one divides the entire range (0-255) into 5 or 7 parts and sets accordingly the points: 4-point Solar Curve If you want to set 4 new points, simply divide the 255 (maximum) by five and get 51. These points result accordingly: Input / Output 0/0 51/255 101/0 152/255 […]
Author: Stefan Kohler Presumably, each of you knows: You retouched forever on an image, retouched the fingers sore, and if you want to show the final image, quite strange rings in color gradients arise. These rings are called “banding” and are nothing more than tonal value demolitions. Before I explain where these tonal separations come from and how to avoid them, I would like to show you a small example: As you can see in the background, we have — just on […]
Author: Stefan Kohler I recently had an interview on the ethical responsibility of retouching. I found the experience very moving and very thought-provoking. In this article, I would like to write down a few of these thoughts. What we see in advertisements and magazines every day feels like reality to people outside of the retouching industry: Impeccable models, even skin, great characters. If the retouching is carried out correctly, the processing won’t be visible — which creates an own reality. […]
Almost every one of us is seeking a change of one kind or another. Being thinner, firmer, smoother, better trained, or simply a different look — beauty is at its peak. Photographers and retouchers apply this analogously to the digital image: A flawless appearance of the image becomes the goal. The discrepancy between the beauty of the recipient and the medially ideal of advertising is increasingly emphasized by retouching. When does retouching starts? The question of where exactly image manipulation starts […]
MK Retouching investigated different Vogue Paris on retouching lables in 2019 after the first investigation in 2018. Here you can read about the latest developments and possible forecasts. It is recommended to read the general legal context and the first study from 2018 to understand the overall meaning. In the last study, it could be determined that the advertisements do not change depending on the magazine. Therefore, this time only Vogue Paris was chosen as the magazine that had the most retouching […]
MK Retouching investigated popular fashion magazines on retouching labels in research in Paris. These were then sorted and evaluated according to their appearance. To visit Paris is unavoidable, as the access to resources in Germany is very limited. For this purpose, various editions of the following different magazines (french edition) were examined several times. Vogue Paris (No. 981, October 2017) Vogue Paris (No. 982, November 2017) Vogue Paris (No. 983, December 2017) Vogue Paris (No. 984, February 2018) Vogue Paris […]
Background to the adoption of legal measures In France, studies have come to the following conclusion: Worrying developments regarding women, such as the increase in eating disorders, are probably due to the medially widespread and their slimming norms. France sought a way to protect its population from unattainable, unrealistic body images, and to avoid anorexia (anorexia) among adolescents. This resulted in the restrictive decree “2017-738”, which came into force on 1st October 2017. Advertising bans and restrictions But what is […]