Circle/wrinkle under eye

[JohnT]

I'm almost done with this one. However, I'm not sure how to handle the dark circle/wrinkle under her left eye (your right). What would you do about this? If you could provide step-by-step instruction, I'd really appreciate it!

[Debbi]

John, I would use the patch tool to fix this. Since I am not near a computer with PS, I will point you to Jordan Chan's recent tutorial on portraiture fixes. He has a section in there on the patch tool. He's actually the one who got me to stop using the clone tool for this type of stuff.

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...d.php?t=109675

[srwatters]

Personally I would use a combination of tools to soften the feature, but not completely remove it rendering the person unrecognizable. There are two issues you need to deal with, the single dark line beneath the eyelid, and the darker color of the eyelid caused by the lighting.

First step would be to use the patch tool to select the under eyelid dark line then patch it with some skin in the same area that has acceptable texture. Immediately following the patch operation, use the fade last edit feature to reduce the opacity on this single edit. Start at 50% and adjust until you have something in the realm of believability. Second you want to deal with darker color. I've been using the clone stamp tool in 'lighten' mode with a medium soft brush and approximately 20% opacity to carefully lighten the area. Be careful not to remove too much texture or it will look fake.

If you want to send me a full size jpg, I can give you an idea how it would look if I was editing.

Good luck!

[jeffkohn]

I've used the patch tool for this sort of thing in the past. Just make sure you fade it, because at 100% it will look fake if there's no wrinkle there at all. I usually fade back to 40-50% which looks good be still natural. You might need to use a slightly stronger effect on this one since it's pretty severe.

[JohnT]

Debbie, thanks for the link! I'll check it out.

Scott, I really appreciate the "tutorial." I'll shoot a jpeg to you.

Jeff, thanks, it looks like I'll be learning the Patch tool. :-)

[MicWayWal]

John,

There are two ways I use most often. One is the patch tool and the other is the clone tool. Both occur before skin smoothing. It is quick and simple and works 98% of the time.

Clone tool: You only want to swipe the area ONCE. If you have to do it over and over the skin looks mushy and loses texture. I start about 40% opacity, in normal mode, aligned checked. Some changes in opacity may be needed to make it work in one swipe. Again only swiping once, I find a light area below the dark circle to use as a source. I start at the point closest to the nose and follow the line. Using a very soft brush, that is big enough to cover the dark circle areas fully.

Patch tool: Copy the layer to make a new layer. On the new layer select the area to be worked. At 100% drag the selected area to the light area below and release. After that adjust the opacity of the layer to taste, usually about 50%.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by MicWayWal

John,

There are two ways I use most often. One is the patch tool and the other is the clone tool. Both occur before skin smoothing. It is quick and simple and works 98% of the time.

Clone tool: You only want to swipe the area ONCE. If you have to do it over and over the skin looks mushy and loses texture. I start about 40% opacity, in normal mode, aligned checked. Some changes in opacity may be needed to make it work in one swipe. Again only swiping once, I find a light area below the dark circle to use as a source. I start at the point closest to the nose and follow the line. Using a very soft brush, that is big enough to cover the dark circle areas fully.

Patch tool: Copy the layer to make a new layer. On the new layer select the area to be worked. At 100% drag the selected area to the light area below and release. After that adjust the opacity of the layer to taste, usually about 50%.

Thanks, Michael! Appreciate your help.

[DigitalDiva]

It's easier if we could play with the picture then give step by step instruction but I see you don't allow others to edit your pictures.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by DigitalDiva

It's easier if we could play with the picture then give step by step instruction but I see you don't allow others to edit your pictures.

Actually, I sent Scott the full-size jpeg so he could edit it and show me how it would look if he were to do it. Now I have an example to follow with the instructions that I've been given.