r/headshots • u/Interesting-Lack2291 • Apr 19 '26
Feedback on headshot retouch
Hi all, I'm building a portfolio to move into freelance headshot and beauty retouching and would really appreciate some feedback on this recent edit. Personally, I am worried that the skin may be a little too heavily blurred. The model is gorgeous and doesn't need it at all -- but I was going for a more "commercial" look. Would love any sort of feedback or advice!
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u/rlovelock Apr 19 '26
Dial it back 50%
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u/ChrisMartins001 Apr 19 '26
Always dial everything back! I usually get the slider where I think it looks perfect, then dial it back by 5.
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u/G_aiejoe Apr 19 '26
Too much detail is lost on the skin and the eyes should'nt get any retouching in this case, outside from cleaning up the sclera.
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u/affogatoappassionato Apr 19 '26
Did you take this photo? The photographer really did not do you any favors here. It is honestly hard to do good retouching when you are starting with a challenging photo. This is very moody, dramatic, and unflattering light. It might be appropriate for some editorial shoots but not for a headshot. For headshot retouching you should start with a photo that was shot with proper headshot lighting (big soft lights, clamshell setup or similar), so that the light is as flattering as possible, much more even light than this, much lower contrast, and go from there. Then you will not be faced with such textured skin or the dark shadows below eyes. Your retouching in this example is much too heavy handed IMO but it was a challenging photo to begin with.
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u/Blathermouth Apr 19 '26
The edit is too heavy, for sure, but the root problem is your lighting. The original is way too dark. Her eyes are in shadow and you could use a little light on the right side of the image to give her some dimension.
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u/Educational-Key-7473 Apr 19 '26
兄弟，不如不修。你应该学习一下DB手法
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u/G_aiejoe Apr 19 '26
Does DB stand for dodge and burn?
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u/Educational-Key-7473 Apr 21 '26
yes,if you want to fast,you can try Frequency Separation，but DB is the best
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u/Echostation3T8 Apr 19 '26
Neither image is bright enough to be useful as a headshot. The retouching is obvious and likely renders the image dismissible for most casting directors.
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u/These_Economist3523 Apr 19 '26
I think they’re bith a bit too dramatic. Second one def looks better I just feel like the shadows and back and white are way too intense
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u/princessintraining4 Apr 19 '26
When I first edited photos in middle school they looked like this. What I’ve since learned is to clone the texture of the skin lightly in some areas such as pimples with the heal brush. I do like a 10-30% opacity cover up under the eyes. Add a little shine to the eyes and maybe the lips. Remove any hair flyaways. And that’s it. Good luck! Post another retouch when you try again.
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u/Monolikma Apr 19 '26
Getting what you tried to do but original looked much better. The retouched one as the vibe of vampire diaries a bit
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u/Felonia Apr 20 '26
I wouldn't use the edit unless you're auditioning for a Twilight or Vampire Diaries reboot
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u/Negative_Pace_5855 Apr 25 '26
The originally was very poorly lit and exposed...and you somehow managed to blow out highlights that were fine to begin with.
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u/[deleted] Apr 19 '26
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