Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

HotHolly · **Tips for removing tattoos -** 02-16-2010, 10:15 PM

I usually use the patch tool to remove small tattoos and birthmarks. However, Im looking for other ways to do so for larger ones.

Mainly to remove large multicolored tattoos. They span over a tonal range and I especially am looking for ways to remove that tattoo that wont deform the shadows and highlights - without repainting the entire area by hand. I can do that...but doing it to a whole shoot sucks since its time intensive.

Tips for removing tattoos from beneath lace would be appreciated too.

mmuhlenkamp · 02-16-2010, 10:27 PM

I think that might be the "real" magic wand tool...

drgibson · 02-16-2010, 10:36 PM

Hmm I need remove something that completly covers what I want to show.....

I took a hat off a guy in one of my photos because it was covering someone else's face, he got ticked off because it showed his bald spot.

You may need to find yourself an airbrush artist.

aphotobyfaye · 02-17-2010, 12:46 AM

An image of what you are attempting would be great, then we what we are dealing with.

WarrenG · 10:13 AM

Holly,

I am not sure of the complexity of the tattoo, but can it be covered pre-shoot with a commercial grade concealer? We have had good results with Ben Nye
Ben Nye Tattoo Cover, Ben Nye Concealing Makeup, Tattoo Covers and Concealers at StageandTheaterMakeup.com

and I have heard Tattoo Camo is good for larger work, but I have never tried it.
Camouflage makeup concealer for blemishes tattoo

In some situations you may still need to feather it out a bit in post, but it is a great help.

Hope this helps you out,

W

HotHolly · 02-17-2010, 07:14 PM

Thanks for the links. I asked her to wear a tattoo cover or make up to cover it. She didnt want to. Is that normal? I was wondering if I was really rude to ask her.

doctahjones · 02-17-2010, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotHolly

Thanks for the links. I asked her to wear a tattoo cover or make up to cover it. She didnt want to. Is that normal? I was wondering if I was really rude to ask her.

well, depends on if she was paying you or not.

if she was paying you, i'd imagine she could do what she wanted. then later if she wasn't happy with the pictures because of the tattoos, then she can pay for another shoot and heed your advice that time

if it was TF or you were paying her, then i wouldn't think it rude at all.

Westx · 02-17-2010, 09:02 PM

From a person that has a full upper arm tatto if she doesn't want it in the picture then she needs to do as you ask are live with the fact she is the one that got the tatto and it is going to be there in the final picture. In my personal opinion it isn't your job to remove it in post unless she wants to pay extra for the extra effort you have to put into the PP.

WarrenG · 02-17-2010, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctahjones

well, depends on if she was paying you or not.

I guess for me it is not so much if she was paying me or not, but rather what her thoughts were for the image. If she stated that she did not want the tat's to show in the pics, then no, not rude at all as you are providing her some cost effective solutions versus the PP time. If it was just something you suggested, she may have perceived it that way. I had a bride once who had gigantic "angel wings" tattood across her back. I asked her if she was planning on covering them, or if she wanted me to avoid pictures of her back, and she got all bent on me... so now I always make it a point to discuss how they want to address the ink situation.

Let us know how you make out Holly...

W

HotHolly · 02-18-2010, 08:21 PM

This was a paying client. For boudoir, I light their chest with a nice tonal range that will be messed with by removing a large tattoo right off the girls breast. I'm removing it by hand - the slow way - and next time I'll go with my instincts and tell them if they want it gone, it needs to be covered.

I heard CS5 is gonna be bitchin...