images + editing steps by Lisa DiGeso, Milk & Honey Photography + Amy McDaniel of Dewdrops Photography 2014 TheMilkyWay.ca Milk and Honey newborns

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Abigail McCoy
6 years ago
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1 Milk and Honey newborns Milk and Honey newborns images + editing steps by Lisa DiGeso, Milk & Honey Photography + Amy McDaniel of Dewdrops Photography

Creamy Baby Skin The biggest tip for creamy baby skin is starting with great light. If the baby is lit properly it makes editing the image so much easier.

Creamy baby skin is basically defined as skin that has had all these problem areas reduced. Starting with great light + proper exposure will cut your editing time WAY down!

2 Creamy Baby Skin The biggest tip for creamy baby skin is starting with great light. If the baby is lit properly it makes editing the image so much easier. Newborn skin is tricky because we often run into issues such as jaundice, baby acne, lots of redness, and lots of bumpy skin. Creamy baby skin is basically defined as skin that has had all these problem areas reduced. Starting with great light + proper exposure will cut your editing time WAY down! There are great plug-ins such as Portraiture and great free skin smoothing actions, as well as the high pass method (shown in this course) that can help achieve great results. The goal with creating creamy baby skin, is correcting the color of the baby s skin tone, giving it a nice and even look. But the trick is to keep the skin looking realistic! If all the texture is taken out (ie Portraiture at 100% strength) it leaves you with a plastic looking baby. I rarely run portraiture on a higher level than 20-35%. My most commonly used tools are the patch tool to remove patches of red, baby acne & texture and the spot healing brush to fix small blemishes & spots. In addition to these tools there are a variety of tips & tricks, we will show you to add to your arsenal of techniques to help you create newborn images that shine! 2

1.1 ACR SKIN TONES Skin Tones in Adobe Camera RAW Open your raw file in ACR.

needed. TIP Click on the arrow on the right side of your histogram to show clipped highlights.

3 1.1 ACR SKIN TONES Skin Tones in Adobe Camera RAW Open your raw file in ACR. Make adjustments using the basics panel, adjusting white balance, exposure, shadows & highlights as needed. TIP Click on the arrow on the right side of your histogram to show clipped highlights. When you pull the exposure over, the red areas will show you what parts are being blown out (avoid having blown out sections on the skin!) Once the WB and exposure looked good on the blanket, I used the adjustment brush to just work on the baby s skin (click on the brush on the top tool bar to go to the adjustment brush panel) 3

image. NOTE: You can toggle the preview button on and off to see the changes you are making.

4 (If you click on show mask - you will see exactly where you are painting with brush) Uncheck show mask so you can see your adjustments as you do them. Using the sliders, adjust the temperature & exposure so baby looks neither too warm not too cool, and the exposure looks slightly brighter but still realistic to the image. NOTE: You can toggle the preview button on and off to see the changes you are making...it s good to check in to make sure you haven t gone too far with your edit! If you have, reduce the effect. If your mask includes parts of the image you don t want it to, simply click on erase and erase some back off. I like to use a very soft brush! 4

1.3 Fixing Jaundice Skin in ACR Option 1 Global Correction First, if you need to adjust your WB or exposure for the image,

With the saturation tab selected (middle tab) adjust the Orange slider (in this example I used -16).

5 1.3 Fixing Jaundice Skin in ACR Option 1 Global Correction First, if you need to adjust your WB or exposure for the image, do this first. Base the correct WB on your blanket - not the skin tones. Then, go to the HSL panel. With the saturation tab selected (middle tab) adjust the Orange slider (in this example I used -16). Adjust and tweak the yellow slider as needed (to tell if you have lots of yellow in the image, you can move the slider to the far right...if you are seeing a big change in yellows, you might want to reduce a touch of yellow - so, move the slider to the left to be in the - numbers. Return to the basics panel to make any final adjustments to the temperature as needed. (this is the technique also shown in video 1.5) 5

1.3 Fixing Jaundice Skin in ACR Option 2 Targeted Correction If you want to target only the skin of baby and leave the warm rich tones of the rest of the image, use this method to adjust baby s skin

If you have, click on the erase and carefully go back in and erase off the blanket so only baby is selected.

6 1.3 Fixing Jaundice Skin in ACR Option 2 Targeted Correction If you want to target only the skin of baby and leave the warm rich tones of the rest of the image, use this method to adjust baby s skin only. Using the adjustment brush, paint on the baby s skin (click on show mask so you can see if you accidentally painted on the blanket). If you have, click on the erase and carefully go back in and erase off the blanket so only baby is selected. Adjust the temperature slider in the adjustment brush to reduce the yellow out of the babies skin. Using the exposure slider in the adjustment brush panel, increase the exposure as needed so baby is brightened up. (in this particular edit, temperature was reduced to -34, and I bumped exposure +.10.) Note: the number values aren t important - each image is going to need different adjustments! 6

Using the slider of the Yellow color drag the yellow slider down on the mask.

7 1.4 Fixing Jaundice Skin Photoshop Using the quick select tool, select all around the baby. Choose the selective color on panels and it will mask your selection. Using the slider of the Yellow color drag the yellow slider down on the mask. If you go too far baby will start to appear magenta. To bring back any yellow from a headband or other item on the baby that should be yellow, use a black brush on the layer mask and paint it back in using a soft brush. 7

1.6 Red Skin Reducer (with actions) First, I would use the close or patch tool to clean up any little flakes and bumps. Then I would choose one of two actions to help cool down the red areas. #1.

I generally use 50% opacity, and using a white brush with a soft edge, lightly brush away the red. If you ve done it too much, you can reduce the opacity of the effect. #2.

8 1.6 Red Skin Reducer (with actions) First, I would use the close or patch tool to clean up any little flakes and bumps. Then I would choose one of two actions to help cool down the red areas. #1. Paint Away Red Spotches, from Greater Than Gatsby (newborn essentials kit). When you run the action, you then paint on where you want to see the effect. I generally use 50% opacity, and using a white brush with a soft edge, lightly brush away the red. If you ve done it too much, you can reduce the opacity of the effect. #2. Sonkissed Purple Hand + Foot Action When you run this action, you ll see there are a number of different layers. The one I use for red, is called Red be Gone - and I use my white brush at 30% to paint the effect on. (note: I like to keep feet pretty pink) If there are some shadows that need to be lifted, you can also use the Lighten Me. I use that at 10%. (again...if you want to reduce the effect, simply reduce the opactiy of the layer). 8

Create a new adjustment layer - Image Hue/Saturation (so this will be a layer JUST affecting what you selected with your lasso tool).

9 1.7 Removing Red Tones (no actions) Start by duplicating the Layer (Cmd or Ctrl J) Using the quick selection tool, select around the baby. Right click and select feather. Depending on image, adjust feather radius (I often use 5 pixels - this will soften & refine & the edge). Create a new adjustment layer - Image Hue/Saturation (so this will be a layer JUST affecting what you selected with your lasso tool). In the Hue/Saturation screen that pops up, select the red channel. Use your eye dropper tool and click on an area that is VERY red that you want to reduce. Slide the Hue all the way to the left (image will look bizarre & blue). 9

On the botton slider start pinching together the color from the right so the blue color starts to

Slide the hue all the way back up past 0 and into the + area.

Adjust the saturation of the targeted area and the lightness to taste.

and paint over lips - that way, if you mess up, you can always fix easily!).

10 On the botton slider start pinching together the color from the right so the blue color starts to come off the skin, and just the red areas you want to target are colored. Slide the hue all the way back up past 0 and into the + area. The red should start coming out of the image. Adjust the saturation of the targeted area and the lightness to taste. Erase the lips back in at approx 50% to restore some pink to them (or, you can create a layer mask and paint over lips - that way, if you mess up, you can always fix easily!). If image still feels too saturated, create a new layer mask and use the Hue/Saturation panel and reduce overall image saturation by approx -5 to-10 (if some areas feel too desaturated- like little pink toes, use a black brush and paint it back in using a soft brush at 50% opacity). 10

1.8 Fixing purple hands/feet Duplicate layer (Cmnd or Ctrl + J).

Click the levels panel (this will create a new adjustment layer).

To remove purple we need to reduce both blue AND red - so, first using the blue channel in levels,

NOTE: We should be shooting in a way that baby s fingers/ feet/hands/toes don t change color.

Please adjust baby s position during your session when you see purple fingers/hands/feet vs fixing

11 1.8 Fixing purple hands/feet Duplicate layer (Cmnd or Ctrl + J). Using the quick select tool, select the discoloured area. Click the levels panel (this will create a new adjustment layer). Using the RGB panel in the levels layer adjust the middle slider to increase the brightness. To remove purple we need to reduce both blue AND red - so, first using the blue channel in levels, pull the middle slider to the right to remove the blue and add yellow. NOTE: We should be shooting in a way that baby s fingers/ feet/hands/toes don t change color. With immature circulatory systems they can change color very quickly. Please adjust baby s position during your session when you see purple fingers/hands/feet vs fixing in photoshop. 11 Next switch to the red channel in levels, to pull out or add in red. If you need to add more red back in switch to the green channel in levels and tweak as needed. You may need to go back into RGB and play with the brightness, to match the skin tone.

1.9 CMYK SKIN TONES CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Key (which is really black).

Example: a correct skin sample would be... C 15% M 45% Y 48% K 0% Take a sample of the area by using the eyedropper tool.

best give an accurate sample). To adjust & colour correct, use levels or curves and adjust by picking the channel using the opposite colour.

12 1.9 CMYK SKIN TONES CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Key (which is really black). The rule of thumb for CMYK for caucasian babies is that yellow should be higher than magenta and Cyan should be 1/3-1/5 of the yellow. Example: a correct skin sample would be... C 15% M 45% Y 48% K 0% Take a sample of the area by using the eyedropper tool. Use the average sample size of 11X11 Take your sample from around the hairline area (pick a neutral area that does not have a lot of highlight or shadow to best give an accurate sample). To adjust & colour correct, use levels or curves and adjust by picking the channel using the opposite colour. RED-Cyan Green-Magenta Blue-Yellow ie: if Cyan is too high add red (but...don t just focus on numbers - be sure to use your eye!!) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES excellent article to reference on Skin tones & ethnicity correcting-skin-color-skin-tones-age-and-ethnicity/ 12

1.17 High Pass Skin Soften (no action) If you don t have portraiture and want a super

Duplicate Layer (Cmnd or Ctr +J) Go to the filter panel & select High pass Set the radius

softening) Add a Layers mask to the high pass layer Select inverse again (this gives us the

brush at 100% opacity, brush on areas to soften, avoid areas such as eyes, lips & nose to

13 1.17 High Pass Skin Soften (no action) If you don t have portraiture and want a super effective way of softening skin, try this! Duplicate Layer (Cmnd or Ctr +J) Go to the filter panel & select High pass Set the radius to 9.3 This adds sharpening, use the shortcut Cmnd (or Ctrl) + I to inverse (this creates softening) Add a Layers mask to the high pass layer Select inverse again (this gives us the ability to paint on, instead of painting off) Set the blend mode to overlay Using a soft brush at 100% opacity, brush on areas to soften, avoid areas such as eyes, lips & nose to retain the detail. The strength of the layer at 100% can be too soft and appear plastic, so reduce the opacity of the layer to 30-40% and flatten. 13

1.17 Fix Background with Marquee tool and/or cloning If you need to fill in some of

with your marquee tool. Select the marquee tool.

In the dialogue box that pops up, ensure it is: Contents: content aware Mode: Normal

If you don t have that option, or it isn t providing nice results, you can try the

14 1.17 Fix Background with Marquee tool and/or cloning If you need to fill in some of your background, a blanket, wood board, etc, a handy tool is using Content Aware with your marquee tool. Select the marquee tool. Create a rectangle around the area you want to fix and hit delete. In the dialogue box that pops up, ensure it is: Contents: content aware Mode: Normal Opacity: 100% Click ok. Repeat for other sections. If you don t have that option, or it isn t providing nice results, you can try the clone tool. Duplicate Layer (Cmnd or Ctr +J) Then select your clone tool. Select an area that is similar to what you want to fill in. Then, click in the area until it is filled. 14

Using your eye dropper tool select an area that is close to the same color you would like to fill in.

15 1.18 Blanket Save (using paint tool) This works well when there isn t a lot of texture (if there is a lot of texture, the clone brush or marquee/content aware tool is likely the better bet!). Cmnd (or ctrl) + J ( duplicate the layer). Using your eye dropper tool select an area that is close to the same color you would like to fill in. Using a soft brush at % paint over the area to fill in. Reduce the opacity to 20% and paint around the area to seamlessly blend. * if you find it isnt blending seamlessly duplicate another layer and select another color to paint over at 20%...then reduce opacity to taste. 15

1.19 Blanket Fade Duplicate the layer (cmnd

Use the eyedropper tool and select an area

16 1.19 Blanket Fade Duplicate the layer (cmnd or ctrl + J). Use the eyedropper tool and select an area from the center of the image as the color to paint. Using a soft large brush, paint over the entire image at 50-65%, with a focus covering the background the most. Create a layer mask on that layer. Using a black (soft) brush, go in and erase off baby at 100%. Adjust the opacity of the top layer, and erase off the foreground at approx 35%. Adjust the top layer to taste ( I typically set mine to 60-75% opacity). 16

1.20 Black backgrounds & negative space Duplicate layer (Cmnd or Ctrl +

Right click & feather 5 pixels to refine edge.

middle of the curve all the way down to darken the background.

tool. I typically crop in the rule of thirds when using negative space.

17 1.20 Black backgrounds & negative space Duplicate layer (Cmnd or Ctrl + J) Using the quick select tool (W), select around the subject. Right click & feather 5 pixels to refine edge. Cmnd or Ctrl + I ( select inverse) Select a curves layer and pull the middle of the curve all the way down to darken the background. Crop image and create canvas larger than original image by using crop tool. I typically crop in the rule of thirds when using negative space. Use the eye dropper tool to select the correct black colour. Use the paint bucket too to fill in unpainted areas. 17

up (it will make skin look a little dark -

18 1.20 Black backgrounds & negative space Here s a great alternative to painting in black. Create an adjustment layer, Selective Colour. Make sure it s on Blacks. Take the Black slider and start bringing it up (it will make skin look a little dark - don t worry!) Using a black soft brush, at ~77% opacity, paint off the layer mask on the skin. Done! 18

1.22 Background extension Duplicate the Layer (Cmnd + Ctrl J).

Cmnd or (ctrl) + T ( transform selection) and pull the side of the selected area to cover the backdrop you

* if doing this in a larger area it can cause the colors to stretch an not look quite right.

19 1.22 Background extension Duplicate the Layer (Cmnd + Ctrl J). Using the rectangle marquee tool, select an area close the subject. Right click & select layer via copy. Cmnd or (ctrl) + T ( transform selection) and pull the side of the selected area to cover the backdrop you wish to cover all the way to the side. * if doing this in a larger area it can cause the colors to stretch an not look quite right. In an instance such as the above mentioned I would do the above steps a couple times to cover the area that way, instead of doing 1 larger one. (you can also try the content aware option by hitting delete /content aware, at mode: normal, 100% opacity) 19

20 1.23 Background Blur Create 2 Duplicate Layers (Cmnd + J twice). On the top layer lasso around the area to fill. Use content aware to fill this area. (it s ok if it s not totally perfect, it will be blurred out anyway - see final image on left) 20

With the top layer selected select field blur. Blur approx to 50-80 pixels.

In order to balance both sides and to appear realistic... try and keep the same amount of blur equal on either side. Erase the foreground back in at approx 45-50% opacity. TIP!

21 With the top layer selected select field blur. Blur approx to pixels. On this top layer create a layer mask With the mask layer selected, use the black brush to paint the subject back in with a soft brush at 100% opacity. In order to balance both sides and to appear realistic... try and keep the same amount of blur equal on either side. Erase the foreground back in at approx 45-50% opacity. TIP! Reduce opactity of the top layer to taste ( approx 50-75% ) Make sure to zoom in around subject when brushing back in with a very small soft brush. The goal is to seamlessly blend with the backdrop, alternate painting on with the wihte brush with erasing off with the black brush to get it perfect 21

1.24 Gradient Floor Fade Duplicate the layer (Cmnd or

On the tools panel select the gradient map tool.

22 1.24 Gradient Floor Fade Duplicate the layer (Cmnd or Ctrl + J). Using the eyedropper tool select a color around the baby that you want to use for floor fade. On the tools panel select the gradient map tool. Use the setting foreground to transparent and double check the color you selected when using the eye dropper tool is selected. 22

Zoom out and click in the center of the image and pull the gradient all the way down to double the size of the image. Create a Layer mask on this layer.

TIP - click the eye on the layers panel on and off to see if you missed any spots. Reduce the opacity of the layer to 70%.

23 Zoom out and click in the center of the image and pull the gradient all the way down to double the size of the image. Create a Layer mask on this layer. Using a small black soft brush erase the subject back in at 100% opacity. Zoom in and reduce brush size to erase all fine detail around the subject. TIP - click the eye on the layers panel on and off to see if you missed any spots. Reduce the opacity of the layer to 70%. Change the size of your brush to larger and brush off the foreground at 25%. Flatten. For any areas that are not blended, duplicate the layer, paint over the seam with the same color with a larger brush at 27% erase off at 100% using the black brush if any got on the subject. 23

1.24a Changing Background tint using colour balance Duplicate the layer (cmd or ctrl + J).

Slide the red (or another coluor) all the way over so you can see where you have selected and using a soft black brush paint on areas you don

Reduce the size of your brush, and zoom very close to work on fine details with a soft brush so it blends seamlessly.

24 1.24a Changing Background tint using colour balance Duplicate the layer (cmd or ctrl + J). Use the lasso tool and select around the baby Cmnd (ctrl) + I (inverse). Select Hue/Saturation from the panels. Slide the red (or another coluor) all the way over so you can see where you have selected and using a soft black brush paint on areas you don t want the colour tint to affect (switch to the white brush to paint on areas of the background you do want to tint). Reduce the size of your brush, and zoom very close to work on fine details with a soft brush so it blends seamlessly. Once you have refined the edges, adjust the hue/saturation sliders of the background to the color you would like. (if there is a part of your background that you don t like the strength of the tint, use a soft black brush at low opacity, and brush some of the effect off) 24

1.25 Composites (froggy) Make sure your two images have similar exposures and White Balance in ACR before bringing in to

Click on second image, and Cmd V (paste). Reduce the opacity of the top layer, and Cmd T (transform) to see how they line up.

opacity back up. Create a layer mask on the top layer (and ensure the mask is selected).

25 1.25 Composites (froggy) Make sure your two images have similar exposures and White Balance in ACR before bringing in to photoshop. Once in photoshop, take what will be the top image and click, Cmd A (for select all), the Cmd C (copy). Click on second image, and Cmd V (paste). Reduce the opacity of the top layer, and Cmd T (transform) to see how they line up. (move the top layer, while holding shift key, drag the image so it lines up - it may require some size tweaks) Then bring opacity back up. Create a layer mask on the top layer (and ensure the mask is selected). With a black brush, paint off the hand to reveal the image below. (use a small brush when you are close to the body). Cmd + Shift + E (flatten image). Some are definitely easier than others! 25

1.26 Composites I typically start with the

26 1.26 Composites I typically start with the ones that have my subject in them before I work on the background only ones. Select around the area you would like to add to another image. Cmnd + c (copy) that image and on the image you are working on Cmnd V paste. Add a mask and use the soft black brush to erase off the areas you want to merge. Zoom in very close to seamlessly blend the areas. Click the layer eye on and off to check to ensure it blends nicely. Continue to tweak and adjust until the image starts to look right. 26

1.28 Removing body hair Depending on certain ethnicities some mamas request hair typically

This is typically only something I do if requested. Duplicate Layer (Cmnd or Ctrl + J).

that don t have hair but have similar skin tone.

27 1.28 Removing body hair Depending on certain ethnicities some mamas request hair typically that is on arms & shoulders to be removed. This is typically only something I do if requested. Duplicate Layer (Cmnd or Ctrl + J). Using the patch tool, circle small patches of hair and fill with areas from on the body that don t have hair but have similar skin tone. Make sure to remove hair from in the shadows using the patch tool as well. Duplicate the layer again. Using the blur tool soften & blur at approx 50% opacity so the texture is even. 27

1.29 Subtle Vignette Duplicate the layer (Cmnd

Adjust the opacity of the layer to taste.

28 1.29 Subtle Vignette Duplicate the layer (Cmnd J). Using the eliptical marquee tool, select around the subject. Feather the selection 45 pixels. Select inverse (Cmnd I). Select Curves and pull the center down slightly to darken the area. Gaussian Blur the curves layer at approx 150px. Adjust the opacity of the layer to taste. TIP: for a less perfectly round vignette instead of the eliptical marqee tool use the lasso tool and draw an assymetrical outline instead. 28

29 1.30 Multiply layer (spotlight baby) (to add a little drama to your image) Duplicate the layer (Cmnd or Ctrl +J). In blending mode, go from normal to multiply. (yes..it will look a bit crazy!) Add a layer mask (and select mask), and with a black brush (at about 80% opacity, brush off the effect on the baby and prop). Then adjust the opacity of the layer (~75%) 29

1.31 Graduated filter vignette (from within ACR) Once all other parts of your

bar. Typically, I use it by reducing the exposure, and then dragging in the filter

30 1.31 Graduated filter vignette (from within ACR) Once all other parts of your image are adjusted (WB, exposure, etc) - click on the Graduated filter in the tool bar. Typically, I use it by reducing the exposure, and then dragging in the filter from the edge of the photo towards my subject. Sometimes just on the sides. Or, from the top and bottom too. You can adjust the exposure to tweak the of strength of the effect. (just watch that your don t turn your shadow areas into black blobs!) 30

Black & White Conversions You can choose to use

Ctrl + J) Desaturate layer (Cmnd or Ctrl+Shift+U)

burn tool on shadows at 12%, brush over baby s

31 Black & White Conversions You can choose to use actions, or you can choose to do your own black & white conversion! Both are fun & totally customizable based on what you like! 1.33 B&W conversion (basic) Duplicate layer (Cmnd or Ctrl + J) Desaturate layer (Cmnd or Ctrl+Shift+U) Duplicate layer & set to soft light at 66% Using the burn tool on shadows at 12%, brush over baby s eyelashes for more detail. Add a colour layer. New fill layer add colour of vanilla - #fceedd Set the opacity of the layer to 23% and the blend mode to colour burn. 31

32 Lisas Workflow As soon as client leave, back up cards! On External hard drive, all raw files are backed up immediately after the session. They are organized in a folder by year, subfolder month, & subfolder client name. On desk top Create a To edit Folder, sub folder Client name. In this folder create 4 folders PSD Files - PSD & Edited PSD files are here Print Files - completed Jpegs for client RAW Files - backed up Raw files of session Web Files - websized & watermarked files Lisa doesnt delete the orginal files off the card until the session is edited. (this has all RAW files backed up in three places) Open Bridge and open images from the RAW folder on the desktop. Images are culled using ratings of Cmnd 8 ( green label) and Cmnd 5 ( 5 star) Using the filter to only see selected images they are opened in ACR ACR corrections are done, and saved in the PSD File folder. PSD files are opened in photoshop & edited. PSD files are saved as fiilename - edit. Jpegs are saved in client print file (cropped to 15x11). Web iimages are resized and watermarked using the free MCP Action ( 32

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