Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop

Have you always wanted to learn how to retouch skin in your portraits to make them look like those professional portraits you often see in magazines?

Then you've come to the right place.

This course will teach you how to use the power of Adobe Photoshop to retouch skin in your portraits and take your portrait photography to the next level.

Whether you're a beginner or you've already been into editing, you'll derive massive value from this course because this course only focuses on one thing - taking your portraits to the next level.

Here are some of the things you'll be learning in this course:

Color Correction
Exposure correction
Skin Clean up
Blemish Removal
Stray Hair and Wrinkle Removal
Frequency Separation
Dodge and Burn
Using the Liquify tool
Retouching Eyes
Sharpening
Color Grading
and so much more

We'll be starting off by learning how to colour correct our photos so that we have a good base to work with.

From there on, we'll be moving on to doing skin clean up where we'll be learning about things like blemish removal, stray hair removal, wrinkles removal, etc.

Once that is done, we'll be set to perform one of the most game changing steps - Frequency Separation.

You'll not only be learning how to do frequency separation, but also understanding the concept behind this popular technique.

Frequency separation will teach you how to make the skin of your subject appear really smooth, yet very realistic as the texture will be preserved on a separate layer.

From there one, there's another huge step we'll be performing - Dodge and Burn.

This can be a challenging step for beginners since most people don't know which tools to use.

In our course, we'll be covering Dodge and Burn in detail. We'll first be understanding the concept behind this technique and then we'll be seeing how to perform this entire step in the easiest, fastest and non-destructive way.

Dodge and Burn will add a crazy amount of dimension to our portraits, giving them that professional look we all crave for.

Once Dodge and Burn is done, it'll be time to move on to retouching the eyes. Initially we'll be doing some basic retouching to the eyes just to make them look really appealing but towards the end of this course, we'll also be learning how to change the hue and color of the eyes in a subtle and realistic manner.

Once that's done, we'll be learning how to sharpen the important features in our portrait to make them stand out even more. Sharpening can often lead to a deterioration in image quality but in this course you'll be learning how to perform this step without affecting the image quality.

In this course we'll also be learning how to use the Liquify tool to change the body shape and facial features.

We'll also be learning how to do color grading as the final step to get the best out of our portraits.

There are different kind of portraits (studio and outdoor, zoomed in and zoomed out) that you'll be working with so you get an idea on how to perform all these techniques on any kind of portrait, not just a studio portrait as it's so often done in other courses.

Of course, you'll be getting access to all the shots used in this course so you can work along with me on the same image. This will make your learning very practical.

There are also a lot of small additional things that you will be learning along the way, like knowing the difference between using a mouse and a Wacom tablet, knowing important functions and shortcuts in Photoshop to make your work flow easier, important tricks and tips, etc.

And everything is shown in such a way that you understand the entire workflow in a very easy manner so when you finally start to work on your own portraits after this course, you'll know exactly what steps to take and in what order.

Emphasis is placed on keeping the entire retouching workflow efficient, flexible and non destructive, so you can go back to any step and reduce its effect to make the retouch as realistic or as over-the-top as you wish.

I've created this course after years of research and practice. My main aim is to teach you high end and professional retouching in a way that is easy to understand and execute.

I hope to see you inside the course :)

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learning how to color correct the photos so the base is correct to start using more advanced techniques
Learning how to skin clean-up and frequency separation to get really realistic and smooth looking skin
Learning how to do dodge and burn to add depth to the portraits
Learning how to remove stray hair

Learning how to add eyes
Learning how to do sharpening the correct way
Learning how to remove wrinkles

Learning how to color correct the photos so the base is correct to start using more advanced techniques
Learning how to skin clean-up and frequency separation to get really realistic and smooth looking skin
Learning how to do dodge and burn to add depth to the portraits
Learning how to remove stray hair
Learning how to add eyes
Learning how to do sharpening the correct way
Learning how to remove wrinkles

Syllabus

Introduction to the Course

This is the introduction video where I'll be talking about why it's essential to learn the art of portrait retouching.

In this video we'll be looking at some of the things that you should know before starting this course. We'll also be looking at how the technique of Layer Masking works.

In this video you'll be learning how to get your hands on the work-along images provided in this course you can edit along with me.

You can download your work along images from the resources section in this lecture.

In this video we'll be starting our retouching process by correcting the colors in this portrait. We'll be seeing two methods. This is the first one.

In this video we'll be learning about the second way to color correct our photos. This method is easier than what we learned in the last video.

In this video we'll be learning how to do a basic skin and blemish clean up in Photoshop.

In this video we'll begin the process of Frequency Separation by first of all understanding the concept behind this process.

In this video we'll be starting the Frequency Separation process by separating the two frequencies (Color/Tone and Texture) by putting them on separate layers.

In this video we'll begin the main step in Frequency Separation, which is using the mixer brush tool in Photoshop to even out the color and tones and smoothen the appearance of the skin.

In this video we'll start the process of learning the all important process of Dodge and Burn by first of all understanding the concept behind it.

In this video we'll be looking at the different Dodge and Burn techniques and also learning which is the best among those.

In this video we'll be learning about how flow and opacity work and also about the differences in using a Wacom tablet and a mouse for Dodge and Burn.

In this video we'll be dodging and burning our portrait.

In this video we'll be retouching the eyes.

In this video we'll be using the High Pass filter to sharpen some important features in our portrait.

In this video we'll be learning how to do some exposure and color changes to our portrait using Camera Raw Filter.

In this video we'll be learning how to skin and stray hair clean up using the spot healing and healing brush tools.

In this video we'll be performing Frequency Separation on this portrait.

In this video we'll be doing Dodge and Burn on the face and neck.

In this video we'll be doing Dodge and Burn on the hair.

In this video we'll be doing Dodge and Burn on the arms.

In this video we'll be doing Dodge and Burn on the dress.

In this video we'll be learning a quicker way of doing dodge and burn for the clothes and hair.

In this video we'll be sharpening the important features using the High Pass filter.

In this video we'll be learning how to use the Liquify tool to perform some minor changes to the shape of the body.

In this video we'll be color grading our portrait to make it really appealing.

In this video we'll be doing a skin cleanup and also removing challenging stray hair using the healing brush tool and the clone stamp tool.

In this video we'll be performing Frequency Separation. We'll also be seeing how to tackle challenging localized areas using a layer mask.

In this video we'll be performing Dodge and Burn on the face.

In this video we'll be performing the dodge and burn on the body.

In this video we'll be performing dodge and burn on the hair.

In this video we'll be retouching the eyes using the curves adjustment function and the HSL adjustment function.

In this video we'll be using the High Pass Filter to sharpen the portrait.

This is the conclusion video.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers color correction and grading, which are essential for achieving a professional look in portrait photography and aligns with industry standards

Explores frequency separation and dodge and burn techniques, which are used to refine skin texture and add dimension to portraits

Teaches how to use the Liquify tool for subtle adjustments to body shape and facial features, enhancing the overall composition of a portrait

Uses Adobe Photoshop, which is a standard tool in the photography and graphic design industries for professional image editing and retouching

Requires access to Adobe Photoshop, which may require a subscription and could be a barrier for some students depending on their access to resources

Includes an update on using the latest AI tools for one-click retouching, which may become deprecated as new versions of Photoshop are released

Reviews summary

Comprehensive portrait retouching techniques

According to learners, this course offers a clear and comprehensive guide to portrait retouching in Photoshop. Many find the techniques explained well and appreciate the focus on a non-destructive workflow. Students particularly highlight the detailed sections on Frequency Separation and Dodge and Burn as valuable for achieving professional-looking results. While generally seen as highly practical, some mention that a basic familiarity with Photoshop is helpful.

Benefits both beginners and experienced users.

"Even though I had some Photoshop experience, I learned new and valuable techniques."

"As a beginner, I found the course challenging but ultimately achievable with practice."

"This course is great for someone looking to get serious about portrait retouching, whether they are starting out or want to refine skills."

"I appreciated that it caters to different starting points, focusing purely on retouching specifics."

Provided files aid practical learning.

"Having the same images to work on alongside the instructor was incredibly helpful for practicing."

"The work-along files allowed me to follow along step-by-step and solidify my understanding."

"Practicing on the provided images made the concepts much easier to learn and apply to my own work later."

"Using the included images ensured I could replicate the techniques shown precisely."

Teaches an efficient and non-destructive process.

"I love that the course emphasizes a non-destructive workflow, allowing for flexibility in editing."

"The logical flow presented in the course helps me know exactly what steps to take when retouching my own photos."

"Following the workflow taught here makes my retouching process much more efficient."

"The course lays out a great foundation for building an effective retouching process."

Helps students produce high-quality portraits.

"My portraits look so much more polished and professional after implementing the techniques from this course."

"The results I'm getting using frequency separation and dodge/burn are exactly what I was hoping for."

"This course delivered on its promise to elevate my portrait retouching to the next level."

"I can now achieve those smooth yet detailed skin results I've seen in magazines."

Techniques like FS and D&B are explained clearly.

"The instructor explains complex topics like frequency separation and dodge/burn in a way that is easy to grasp and apply."

"I found the explanations very clear and the techniques taught are incredibly practical for real-world retouching."

"This course simplified frequency separation for me. The step-by-step approach was excellent."

"Learning these techniques has really improved the quality of my portrait edits."

May be easier with some prior software familiarity.

"While it says for beginners, having some basic understanding of Photoshop layers and tools is beneficial."

"If you're completely new to Photoshop, there might be a slight learning curve before diving into the retouching techniques."

"I found it helpful that I already knew my way around the Photoshop interface before starting."

"It's best suited for someone who has at least opened Photoshop before."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop with these activities:

Practice Layer Masking

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Practice layer masking techniques to prepare for more advanced retouching steps.

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Open an image in Photoshop.
Create a new layer and add a layer mask.
Experiment with different brushes and gradients to create various masking effects.

Read 'Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book'

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Review Photoshop fundamentals to ensure a strong understanding of the software.

View Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the chapters related to retouching, layers, and masking.
Complete the exercises in the book to reinforce your understanding.

Blemish Removal Practice

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Refine blemish removal skills using various Photoshop tools.

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Find several portrait images with blemishes.
Use the Spot Healing Brush, Healing Brush, and Clone Stamp tools to remove blemishes.
Compare before and after images to assess your progress.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Create a Before/After Retouching Showcase

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Showcase retouching skills by creating a before and after comparison.

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Select a portrait image to retouch.
Retouch the image using the techniques learned in the course.
Create a side-by-side comparison of the original and retouched images.
Share your work on social media or a portfolio website.

Follow Advanced Dodge and Burn Tutorials

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Explore advanced dodge and burn techniques to enhance portrait dimension.

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Search for tutorials on advanced dodge and burn techniques in Photoshop.
Follow along with the tutorials, applying the techniques to your own images.
Experiment with different brushes, opacities, and blending modes.

Retouch a Series of Portraits

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Solidify retouching skills by working on a series of diverse portraits.

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Gather a collection of diverse portrait images.
Retouch each image, focusing on different aspects of the face and skin.
Document your workflow and challenges encountered.
Reflect on your progress and identify areas for improvement.

Read 'Scott Kelby's Photoshop for Portrait Photographers'

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Study portrait-specific retouching techniques from an industry expert.

View Adobe Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers,... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the chapters related to your specific areas of interest.
Practice the techniques described in the book on your own images.

Career center

Learners who complete Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Image Retoucher

Image retouchers specialize in enhancing and manipulating digital images to improve their appearance. This Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop course is directly relevant to this specialized role. It is focused on skills needed for high-end portrait work. Image retouchers will benefit a lot from learning techniques like skin cleanup, frequency separation, dodge and burn, and color grading. The course emphasizes efficient, flexible, and non-destructive retouching workflows.

See salaries and explore the career path for Image Retoucher

Portrait Photographer

Portrait photographers specialize in capturing images of individuals or groups. This Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop course provides the specific skills needed to enhance those portraits. Portrait photographers can learn valuable techniques such as color correction, skin cleanup, frequency separation, dodge and burn, and how to use the liquify tool. These skills will allow the photographer to create stunning, professional-quality portraits that meet client expectations and stand out in a competitive market.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portrait Photographer

Photo Editor

Photo editors enhance and manipulate photographs to meet the specific needs of a project or client. A course like Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop will help significantly in this role by teaching advanced techniques for skin retouching, color correction, and overall image enhancement. Photo editors must be adept at using software like Photoshop to bring out the best in every image. This course is focused on skin cleanup, blemish removal, wrinkle removal, and stray hair removal. As well, the course will expose Photo Editors to the liquify tool which alters body and facial features.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photo Editor

Fashion Photographer

Fashion photographers capture images for fashion magazines, advertising campaigns, and catalogs. Fashion photography very often involves portraiture. This course on Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop will help the fashion photographer master the art of retouching skin and enhancing overall image quality. Knowing how to do skin clean-up, dodge and burn, and frequency separation will allow the fashion photographer to create high-end professional images. The liquify tool will also be helpful here.

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Photographer

A photographer captures visual images for a wide range of creative, technical, and documentary purposes. This course on portrait retouching with Adobe Photoshop can help a photographer enhance their skills to produce high quality and professional portraits. The course covers essential techniques such as color correction, skin cleanup, frequency separation, dodge and burn. This course also includes how to enhance the subject's eyes, sharpen the image, liquify, and color grade. By learning these techniques, a photographer can improve the overall look and feel of their portraits and deliver outstanding results to their clients.

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Digital Artist

Digital artists create art using digital technology, often involving image manipulation and enhancement. This Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop course will greatly benefit any digital artist looking to refine their skills in portrait work, and includes many different kinds of portraits. The course syllabus covers color correction, skin cleanup, frequency separation, dodge and burn, and understanding of how to use Wacom tablet. Learning these core skills allows you to create polished and professional-looking portraits that meet high-quality standards.

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Commercial Photographer

Commercial photographers take photos for a variety of commercial purposes, such as advertising, marketing, and product displays. This course focusing on Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop is helpful because it will help enhance portraits of people in advertisements and marketing materials. Skills taught in this course, such as color correction, skin cleanup, blemish removal, stray hair removal, and dodge and burn can help the commercial photographer significantly improve the quality of their images.

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Content Creator

Content creators produce engaging and informative content for online platforms. The Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop course can significantly improve the visual appeal of their content, and teach non-destructive editing workflows. For content creators who use portrait photography, a course such as this will give them valuable skills in blemish removal, stray hair removal, wrinkle removal, and color grading. These skills will also allow the content creator to better and more efficiently create content.

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Wedding Photographer

Wedding photographers document weddings, capturing special moments of the couple and their loved ones. Many of these shots involve portraits. Taking the Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop course can help wedding photographers refine their skills in portrait retouching. The course goes over skills, such as blemish removal, skin cleanup and color grading, giving the wedding photographer skills to properly enhance the wedding photos. Being able to fix many common mistakes during editing will also allow the photographer to more efficiently edit wedding photos.

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Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. The Adobe Photoshop course can help you enhance your capabilities in image editing and manipulation, especially when delivering visual assets for clients. Graphic designers also work with images in many different forms. The course will teach the graphic designer color correction, stray hair removal, blemish removal, skin cleanup, liquify tool, and more.

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Advertising Art Director

Advertising art directors are responsible for the visual style and images used in advertising campaigns. An art director often oversees the work of photographers and photo editors. Using this portrait retouching course, the art director will be better placed to direct the work being done. The course directly helps in understanding the nuances of retouching skin, correcting colours, removing blemishes, and enhancing portraits to meet the artistic vision of the campaign. This course also includes tips for shortcuts in Photoshop.

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Studio Manager

Studio managers oversee the operations of a photography studio, including managing equipment, coordinating shoots, and ensuring quality control. This Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop course may help studio managers better understand the image editing process. This understanding may contribute to a better ability to manage the studio. Studio managers can use the education from this course to ensure that the images produced meet the studio's standards and client expectations.

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Fine Art Photographer

Fine art photographers create images to fulfill their creative vision. This Adobe Photoshop course may help fine art photographers who want to add a new dimension to their photos. The course goes over many techniques, such as how to use the liquify tool, which may allow the fine art photographer add to their work. Using this course, fine art photographers learn how to turn portraits into works of art.

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Makeup Artist

Makeup artists enhance appearance through cosmetics. While not directly related, understanding digital retouching through this course may help a makeup artist understand how their work translates on camera. This skill is increasingly valuable as clients often expect flawless digital results. This Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop course may allow makeup artists to collaborate effectively with photographers and retouchers.

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Photojournalist

Photojournalists capture news and events through still photographs, telling stories with images. Photojournalists are often required to lightly edit or retouch photos. While photojournalism is focused on capturing the objective truth, this course may give the photojournalist the skills to meet their employer's standards. This Portrait Retouching Using Adobe Photoshop course may help the photojournalist remove stray hairs or remove wrinkles.

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