As talked about in the last blog post regarding the Layers, Masks and Effects, today involved the techniques of photo retouching, airbrushing and also using guides to set up a new file in Photoshop.
All three of these individual techniques could potentially be useful in my assignment and therefore they are handy to know and practise.
Photo Retouching
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| Stages of Photo Retouching |
In the collage of images above, you can see the slow and slight transformation of a base image, a desert, using photo retouching skills throughout, and below are the different stages listed out with relevant explanations.
1. Base Image
The first stage of this, and any, photo editing is to have your base image in place. In this case the use of a desert scene with two safari exploration pick up trucks was used due to being deemed as a good image to apply some photo retouching too.
The first stage of this, and any, photo editing is to have your base image in place. In this case the use of a desert scene with two safari exploration pick up trucks was used due to being deemed as a good image to apply some photo retouching too.
2 & 3. Patch Tool
For the start of the photo retouching element, the Patch Tool was put into action. With the Patch tool I was able to totally remove the furthest way pick up truck from the image and how I did this was as follows. Firstly, using the background layer was unlocked and renamed to "Desert", and then a duplicate of this layer was created. CTRL + J is a handy shortcut tool to do this. Next, selecting the patch tool I was able to freehand draw with the mouse around the pick up truck, leaving an equal border around the truck to make the end result more realistic. At this point in time, the effect of the patch tool was kept to Normal. Then, once the selection has been made, by dragging the selected shape around the image canvas this replaces the "old" selection of the pick up truck with the "new" selection - in this case, a similar area of desert. This technique worked quite well as is visible. It is worth mentioning that the "Normal" effect could also be changed to "Content Aware". This particular element is very handy in that it can also be adjusted from strict, to loose. This is good because the tool makes itself aware of the content that we are trying to modify. It looks at the entire content and also tries to patch on a pixel for pixel basis. If loose was to be selected, then it basically makes it up as we go along, while with strict it is best to be used with an ordered background - for example a checked patterned floor. Picture three is a continuation of the use of the patch tool to remove the closer pick-up truck.
For the start of the photo retouching element, the Patch Tool was put into action. With the Patch tool I was able to totally remove the furthest way pick up truck from the image and how I did this was as follows. Firstly, using the background layer was unlocked and renamed to "Desert", and then a duplicate of this layer was created. CTRL + J is a handy shortcut tool to do this. Next, selecting the patch tool I was able to freehand draw with the mouse around the pick up truck, leaving an equal border around the truck to make the end result more realistic. At this point in time, the effect of the patch tool was kept to Normal. Then, once the selection has been made, by dragging the selected shape around the image canvas this replaces the "old" selection of the pick up truck with the "new" selection - in this case, a similar area of desert. This technique worked quite well as is visible. It is worth mentioning that the "Normal" effect could also be changed to "Content Aware". This particular element is very handy in that it can also be adjusted from strict, to loose. This is good because the tool makes itself aware of the content that we are trying to modify. It looks at the entire content and also tries to patch on a pixel for pixel basis. If loose was to be selected, then it basically makes it up as we go along, while with strict it is best to be used with an ordered background - for example a checked patterned floor. Picture three is a continuation of the use of the patch tool to remove the closer pick-up truck.
4. Burn Tool
5. Content Aware Move Tool
In the final image it is apparent that both of the pick up trucks have been successfully moved to another location on the image. When using the content aware move tool, it is in a way similar to the way that you would use the patch tool. To start with one show freehand draw with the mouse around the pick up truck, leaving an equal border around the truck to make the end result more realistic. Then, clicking and dragging the selection will basically "pick up" and "move" the selection and enable you to move it to another area on the image canvas. This is good because the tool makes itself aware of the content that we are trying to modify. It looks at the entire content and also tries to patch on a pixel for pixel basis.
Airbrushing
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| Stages of Airbrushing |
The next technique that was explored was that of the rather controversial area of airbrushing. Over the years, airbrushing has been used to try to improve the perceived appearance of the subject of an image. In the majority of cases, however, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the base image which you will be able to see from the stages of airbrushing collage above, and also the collage of Sir Ian Mckellen below.
The process of airbrushing an image is one that does not take a lot of work, and can be simply completed with around ten to fifteen minutes worth of work. As per usual, to start with you will have to have your base image to start with that you wish to airbrush. As previously mentioned, there is nothing wrong with the base image at all, although some areas could be perceived within the airbrushing world to need improving to get that flawless finish of skin that is looked for.
To start with, the main tool that is going to be used is that of the Spot Healing brush. As the name suggests, the tool will help to heal and remove any spots or imperfections in the image. In the case of our base imagine, there were a couple of areas that the spot healing brush was able to be used, which is visible in the third image of the collage which is the layer mask in use. By using this layer mask, the areas of the image that I wished to be affected by the adjustments was able to be selected. After this was completed, the layer was duplicated and the new layer was blurred to a surface blur with the threshold set to 64 (high). Next, a duplicate of the original layer was created and moved to the top of the layers order, and a filter of High Pass set to just details of 1.9 with a hard light adjustment. This was chosen because it softens the tone of the image under the freckles - thus, creating a more realistic result.
Another example of airbrushing is that of the collage of Sir Ian Mckellen above. Once again, the base image has nothing wrong with it, however with the use of photo re-touching and airbrushing this means that slight adjustments can be made. In this case, as is visible on the middle image of the collage which shows the layer mask, a few alterations were made to smooth the skin on the forehead, around the eyes and a few other select locations on the face. The aim was to have the end result of a slightly younger-looking Sir Ian. The transformation from the base image to the end image took only around ten minutes to achieve, but the results does indeed make the subject appear younger. Many hours could be spent tweaking and re-touching this image, however a quick effort is all that is needed in some cases, which is show above.
Ethics of Airbrushing and Photo Re-touching
The process of airbrushing an image is one that does not take a lot of work, and can be simply completed with around ten to fifteen minutes worth of work. As per usual, to start with you will have to have your base image to start with that you wish to airbrush. As previously mentioned, there is nothing wrong with the base image at all, although some areas could be perceived within the airbrushing world to need improving to get that flawless finish of skin that is looked for.
To start with, the main tool that is going to be used is that of the Spot Healing brush. As the name suggests, the tool will help to heal and remove any spots or imperfections in the image. In the case of our base imagine, there were a couple of areas that the spot healing brush was able to be used, which is visible in the third image of the collage which is the layer mask in use. By using this layer mask, the areas of the image that I wished to be affected by the adjustments was able to be selected. After this was completed, the layer was duplicated and the new layer was blurred to a surface blur with the threshold set to 64 (high). Next, a duplicate of the original layer was created and moved to the top of the layers order, and a filter of High Pass set to just details of 1.9 with a hard light adjustment. This was chosen because it softens the tone of the image under the freckles - thus, creating a more realistic result.
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| Airbrushing of Sir Ian Mckellen |
Ethics of Airbrushing and Photo Re-touching
As previously mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, the subject of photo re-touching and airbrushing is very controversial and has been subject of much press coverage and articles over the years. Two such examples of articles are linked below in the references area, name "The Ethics of Digital Photo Manipulation", and, "In Defence of Photoshop; Why retouching isn't as evil as everyone thinks".
The majority of photo retouching that occurs is in regards to images of people that will appear to the general public in magazines, newspapers and also online too. Naturally, every wants to look as good as they can in photographs however photo retouchers certainly go over and above that which can have negative affects. Taking photographs of models for magazines as an example, photo retouching will be carried out on the image of the model to try to make them appear as "attractive" as they can. This could be in relation to having flawless skin and a so called "dream" physique. However, with the general public being the audience of these images in magazines this can cause self esteem issues with individuals only seeing these "fake" and "photoshopped" images whereas in reality the models might not have a totally perfect physique or flawless skin. Many individuals with a little experience of Photoshop would be able be have a good crack at retouching an image of an individual to make it more aesthetically pleasing to the eye - however, the art comes in striking the right balance. This balance is in regards to getting the end result to a level that is of near flawless appearance, however still ensuring that it is still realistic.
It is not only people that retouching is used for, though. Advertisements on the television, online and in newspapers will definitely contain at least one image in the majority of cases and the likelihood is that these would have been retouched to try to create the "perfect" image. Be it food items, day to day consumables or high end furniture there will be retouching having been carried out - for example ensuring that the lighting of the image is perfect, and adjusting the levels of the image to ensure the colours are vivid and eye-catching. These basic elements will be looked at first, however after this there will then be other editing carried out. For example in food advertisements the food will often be made it look slightly larger than it is, and also in a more professional and appetising state and position that you would expect to receive it. An ideal example of this is in regards to fast food adverts, such as Burger King, KFC and McDonalds which all manipulate their advertisement images to ensure that they come across as appealing and advertising as possible to tempt you into purchasing and parting with your money, thus leading to more profit for them, which is the whole point of advertising.
The majority of photo retouching that occurs is in regards to images of people that will appear to the general public in magazines, newspapers and also online too. Naturally, every wants to look as good as they can in photographs however photo retouchers certainly go over and above that which can have negative affects. Taking photographs of models for magazines as an example, photo retouching will be carried out on the image of the model to try to make them appear as "attractive" as they can. This could be in relation to having flawless skin and a so called "dream" physique. However, with the general public being the audience of these images in magazines this can cause self esteem issues with individuals only seeing these "fake" and "photoshopped" images whereas in reality the models might not have a totally perfect physique or flawless skin. Many individuals with a little experience of Photoshop would be able be have a good crack at retouching an image of an individual to make it more aesthetically pleasing to the eye - however, the art comes in striking the right balance. This balance is in regards to getting the end result to a level that is of near flawless appearance, however still ensuring that it is still realistic.
It is not only people that retouching is used for, though. Advertisements on the television, online and in newspapers will definitely contain at least one image in the majority of cases and the likelihood is that these would have been retouched to try to create the "perfect" image. Be it food items, day to day consumables or high end furniture there will be retouching having been carried out - for example ensuring that the lighting of the image is perfect, and adjusting the levels of the image to ensure the colours are vivid and eye-catching. These basic elements will be looked at first, however after this there will then be other editing carried out. For example in food advertisements the food will often be made it look slightly larger than it is, and also in a more professional and appetising state and position that you would expect to receive it. An ideal example of this is in regards to fast food adverts, such as Burger King, KFC and McDonalds which all manipulate their advertisement images to ensure that they come across as appealing and advertising as possible to tempt you into purchasing and parting with your money, thus leading to more profit for them, which is the whole point of advertising.
Guides
Another technique that was explored within Photoshop was that of the very handy feature of Guides. By using the printing guides in Photoshop, this would enable me to set up some guidelines which will help me when I am creating an image in Photoshop. There are two main elements to bear in mind to create when setting up the printing guides which include the bleed area and safety area. Within the printing industry these two elements are standard terms which are used to aid not only the designer, but also the printer too. By the designer and user of Photoshop setting up these guides and following them, then this ensures that the content that they are designing will be printed and not accidentally cut off.
The Bleed area is used due to the unfortunate fact being that it is impossible to print all of the way to the corners and edges of a piece of paper. So due to this, is is necessary to print onto a slightly larger than needed piece of paper, and then trim this piece down to the originally required size. Therefore, due to the bleed area being cut off, it is necessary for there to be some content which extends into this bleed area to ensure that there are no unprofessional-looking white edges. In this case, the background image or colour would be extended to the bleed area and the edge cut off which would not make much of a difference as it is not a key information area. When print runs are reaching into the hundreds and thousands, there is going to be slight issue of print accuracy and the use of the bleed are accommodates the paper movement and/or printer movement that could occur.
The Safety area is the area which is...safe. Basically, when designing your image it is best to try to keep all of your details such as text and key images within this safety area to ensure that they are not cut off when printed.
References
The Ethics of Digital Photo Manipulation - Link - Last accessed 11th February 2014.
In Defence of Photoshop: Why retouching isn't as evil as everyone thinks - Link - Last accessed 11th February 2014.
Disk Makers Templates - Link - Last accessed 11th February 2014.
Disk Makers Templates - Link - Last accessed 11th February 2014.
