Airbrushing and Retouching Part One

Using photo-editing software is rather relaxing and passes the time when I should be writing. However, it can be quite useful and I’d love to learn as much as I can about altering photographs, from simple color changes to altering the shape of the subject’s body. Expect more, hence “Part One”.

My First Attempt:

I found the original photograph whilst browsing sxc.hu and chose it to be retouched because it appeared quite ‘cool’ in terms of coloring; I altered the CMYK colors to match a ratio of C10 – M30 – Y32 (not actual numbers) and then altered her lip-stick:

• Added an adjustment layer.
• Played with curves in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key – Black) to add warmth.
• Created another Layer.
• Selected her lips somewhat clumsily.
• Feathered selection with 10px.
• Changed the ‘Saturation’ to +65.
• Played with lip-stick opacity.

First five-minute attempt at retouching a photograph (taken from sxc.hu)

I know it’s simple, so I’m not looking for feedback but instead leaving this as a milestone of sorts; I intend to continue to work with the original image in order to add certain other features, edit out blemishes, perhaps alter just her skin-tone rather than the colors of the entire image and even accentuate her eye-lashes and perform other tasks people undertake in order to make real women into fake and flawless dolls.

There may be copyright issues surrounding this image and therefore I will take it down and remove it if asked. Please do not copy it, either.