Photoshop glamming help

[digitaldooda]

Thanks for your technique....its one I haven't tried yet. There are a bazillion ways to accomplish just about anything. Jack Davis and Eddie Tapp have some interesting "Porcelean skin" and "Dream Glow" effects...just google them.
One I use most often for a very subtle effect is a dodge/burn layer. Then I can adjust the opacity to suite my final output.
1. Create a new layer and change the mode to softlight and fill with 50% gray
2. Using the paintbrush tool, paint with white the parts you want to be lighter
3. Paint with black the things you want to be darker.
You can go back and forth and fill it back with gray if you feel the need for a reset. When I get to a point where I like a piece, then I merge the visible layers into a new layer (always keeping the prior one) and do it again.

When you look at an image for a long time, your brain will begin to accept it. Be sure to walk away periodically and give your eyes a rest. Sometimes, when i have spent too much time noodling an image, I go back the next day and go "What was I thinking!"

Vickie

[ambidawn]

I'm pretty new with photoshop and thought I'd give this a try. This is also on a low quality photo. I got stuck on how to add the gaussian grain. Can some one walk me through on this??
#1 Original Photo

#2 First attempt with trying the radius of 20 on hi

#3 Second attempt with radius of 10 on hi

The big thing that I notice is that I lose a lot of the white in the images

[srwatters]

Amber, I think your image is not the sharpest in focus. You'll find that the 'glam' techniques work much better if you start with a sharper image.

In any case here's my combination of patch tool and Kodak Airbrush...

[ambidawn]

Thanks, and you are correct...it does need to be a sharper image. I was on my lap top and only had a few photos to choose from. I'm going to try some from the desk top folders tonight. Thanks again.

[Robin Binder]

Finally, I did a photo shoot with real pageant girls and here are few of the samples from today with the new technique this thread has taught me ... thanks again Steven.

here are a few of my samples..

[dquisenberry]

There is a new plug-in out that serveral higher profile photogs are using instead of Kodak's. Just an fyi
http://www.imagenomic.com/pt.aspx

no affiliation

[m_mphotography]

Thanks so much for the tip on smoothing out skin!! Seems to be working rather well. I'm just confused on step 9. You say to add a little gaussian grain to the merged layer?? What is gaussian grain? Is it different than a blur?? Grain and blur seem like opposites to me, but I can be wrong!! Thanks. I'm practicing this technique on some photos that I took of my sister.

[Robin Binder]

gaussian - is a type of blur, you can control it.

[txphotog]

I use the Nik Color Efex Dynamic Skin Softener backed down to about 80-85%. Works well along with a little healing brush.

[m_mphotography]

I tried the tips by stevevil...thanks!! they work wonders. I wanted to post my first trial at this technique...I impressed myself. Here is the before and after...I added some makeup to my model! :)