Post-processing portraits basics

Post-processing portraits involves enhancing and refining your images to achieve the desired look. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are the most common programs, yet other software is gaining popularity like Luminar AI. Whatever you use, some basics you have to go through to create the perfect Jpeg of your Raw file.

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Here's a summary of key post-processing steps for portraits: my post-processing portraits basics.

1. Retouching Skin: Use tools like healing brushes or clone stamps to remove blemishes, spots, or imperfections on the skin. Be careful not to overdo it and maintain a natural appearance.

2. Adjusting Exposure and Contrast: Fine-tune the exposure and contrast of your portrait to enhance the overall tonal range. Increase contrast to add depth and make the image pop, but be mindful of preserving the details in the highlights and shadows.

3. Color Correction and White Balance: Adjust the color balance to ensure accurate skin tones. Use the white balance tool or adjust the temperature and tint sliders to achieve a natural and pleasing color palette.

4. Enhancing Eyes and Teeth: Emphasize the eyes by increasing their brightness and enhancing the catchlights to make them sparkle. Whiten teeth subtly if necessary, ensuring they still look natural.

5. Dodging and Burning: Use dodging and burning techniques to selectively lighten or darken specific areas of the portrait. This helps to sculpt and define facial features, add depth, and draw attention to the subject.

6. Sharpening and Noise Reduction: Apply selective sharpening techniques to enhance the details in the eyes, hair, and other critical areas. Use noise reduction tools to reduce any unwanted noise or graininess, especially in low-light situations.

7. Vignetting and Cropping: Consider adding a subtle vignette to draw focus to the subject and eliminate distractions towards the edges. Crop the image if needed to improve composition or remove unwanted elements.

8. Creative Effects: Experiment with creative effects like black and white conversion, selective color, or adding filters to convey a particular mood or style. However, exercise restraint to maintain a natural and timeless look.

9. Consistency in Editing: If you're editing a series of portraits, strive for consistency in your post-processing to maintain a cohesive look across the images. This helps to establish a distinct style and visual identity.

10. Save Different Versions: It's always a good practice to save different versions of your edited portraits, including the original file. This allows you to revert to the original if needed or compare different edits later.

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Remember, post-processing is subjective, and the extent of editing depends on your personal preference and the desired outcome. Aim for a natural, flattering result that enhances the subject while maintaining authenticity.