suggestions

[carrbowl]

I'm feeling I need to work on my PP skills. I looked at these headshots and felt they were lacking some umph...I have been working on getting colors more even, however, none of these photos have been worked. I'm not sure I'm looking for anything specific for each photo, maybe a general idea of what you think I should do for PP....(hope that makes sense!!!)

[VincentHerrera]

I don't shoot glamour, just portraits. I dislike the style of retouching that removes all imperfection. I just like a little impact.

In order:
USM
Levels to darken, then painted out lighter areas
slightly removed stray hairs
clone: lightened mole/freckle in nose (again, I feel that it should stay if it's not a temp blemish)
clone: lightened the under eye lines
clone: removed sensor spot in upper right corner
Hope this helps.

[DJ.]

Actually I think these are good captures. I like the poses, cute young ladies, and they just need a little pop.

Perhaps a levels adjustment (set black and white points), double check the white balance (which is probably ok), emphasize any flattering attributes and de-emphasize any distracting ones,and the stuff you would normally do to clean-up and take care of in post.

Nice job.

Was not sure if you really wanted or needed examples but if you do I can post one.

[Phanee]

I am no PS expert. Tried to enhance the first photo.

[dngrCharlie]

Here is my take on the last one. I just brightened the eyes a little, applied curves and sharpened a little.
Before


After

[copper]

I had to try. I love playing with before and making the afters.

Would love to have the originals to play with.

Whatcha think????

[Dawn U]

I gave one of them a shot, simply because I'm also trying to work on my PP skills.

[Patti Edens]

Practice for me too. I'm not a people shooter. I think they all look very good and just need some added contrast. That being said, I did a lot more than adding contrast. Once I get going, I can't stop. But I do try to keep it real.

I did a levels adjustment and with white point tweak,
added contrast,
removed blemishes with spot healing brush,
slight blur on selective areas of skin to smooth - around eyes, arms,
worked on catch lights (removed the light streak in her R eye),
sharpened selective areas - mouth, eyes, tshirt neck
and saved in SRB color space for the web.

Weird. I just noticed a strange color blotch above her L eye (right side) in my edit on the web. I don't see that in the saved photo in Photoshop.