Are you tired of spending hours retouching your skin in Lightroom, only to end up with a result that looks overly airbrushed and unnatural? Well, fret no more because we have the perfect solution for you! In this tutorial, we will be focusing on skin retouching in Lightroom and how you can achieve smooth and flawless skin using the texture slider. This powerful tool allows you to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections while still retaining the essential details and textures. So, let’s dive in and learn how to enhance your portraits with the magic of the texture slider in Lightroom!
Skin Retouching In Lightroom Tutorial – How to get smooth skin with the texture slider!
Introduction
Hey there! Today, Mitch is going to show you a new technique in Adobe Lightroom for skin retouching using the latest feature added in the software. Previously, he had to import all of his edited JPEGs into Photoshop for skin retouching, but now with Lightroom’s update, he can do it all within the software. Mitch doesn’t do a lot of retouching on his images as his preset takes care of most issues, but he occasionally performs spot corrections and mild skin softening. In this tutorial, he will focus on the skin softening aspect. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Selecting the Image
In Adobe Lightroom, Mitch has already picked and edited all of his photos. He has chosen a close-up image of the model Steph to demonstrate the skin retouching technique.
Step 2: Using the Adjustment Brush Tool
To begin, Mitch zooms in on the image and selects the adjustment brush tool. This tool offers various adjustments that can be made to specific areas of the image.
Step 3: Adjusting Brush Settings
Before applying the brush, Mitch adjusts the brush size, feather, and flow. These settings determine the area and smoothness of the effect. He starts with a large brush size and medium feather to initially cover larger portions of the skin.
Step 4: Applying Skin Softening with the Texture Slider
This new feature in Lightroom, called the texture slider, allows for easy skin retouching. Mitch sets the texture slider to its lowest value and starts brushing over the skin. He first focuses on the larger areas and then adjusts the brush size to fill in finer details.
Step 5: Refining and Previewing the Effect
Mitch suggests scrolling the mouse to adjust the brush size conveniently. He also recommends using the “O” key to toggle the overlay view and check the affected areas. He ensures that the eyes, eyebrows, eyelashes, nose details, and lips are not affected, as the goal is to only retouch the skin. After a rough job, he deletes the adjustment layer to see the before and after effect.
Step 6: Adjusting the Texture Slider
If the effect is too strong, Mitch advises bringing back the texture slider to fine-tune the amount of skin softening. Negative 85 or close to negative 100 is his preferred range. For additional skin smoothing, the sharpness slider can also be adjusted, but extreme settings should be avoided.
Conclusion
Mitch is pleased with the results achieved with this skin softening technique. He finds it much quicker than using Photoshop for retouching and invites the viewers to share their thoughts in the comments. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Don’t forget to like the video and subscribe for more helpful tutorials like this. Thanks for watching and catch you in the next one!
Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Retouching In Lightroom Tutorial
1. What is skin retouching?
Skin retouching refers to the process of enhancing the appearance of a person’s skin in photographs or digital images. It involves correcting imperfections, softening wrinkles, removing blemishes, and creating a smoother overall look.
2. Why is Lightroom a popular tool for skin retouching?
Lightroom is a powerful and widely-used photo editing software that offers various tools, including the Texture slider, which can help achieve smooth skin. It allows photographers to make precise adjustments and enhancements to skin tones and textures.
3. What is the Texture slider in Lightroom?
The Texture slider in Lightroom is a tool that specifically addresses the fine details and textures in an image. When applied to skin retouching, it allows you to increase or decrease the level of skin texture, providing a smoother or more detailed appearance, respectively.
4. How can I get smooth skin using the Texture slider in Lightroom?
To get smooth skin using the Texture slider in Lightroom, follow these steps:
- Import your photo into Lightroom.
- Select the Develop module.
- Locate the Texture slider in the Basic panel.
- Slide the Texture slider to the left to decrease the texture and create a smoother look.
- You can also use the Adjustment Brush in Lightroom to selectively apply the texture settings only to specific areas of the skin.
- Make additional adjustments as needed, such as reducing blemishes or correcting color tones.
- Export the final retouched photo.
5. Are there any potential drawbacks to using the Texture slider for skin retouching?
While the Texture slider can be a helpful tool for achieving smooth skin, it’s important to use it judiciously. Excessive use of the Texture slider may result in an unnatural or overly airbrushed appearance. It’s recommended to find a balance that retains some level of texture and maintains a natural look.
6. Can I achieve professional-looking skin retouching using Lightroom alone?
Yes, Lightroom offers a range of powerful tools for skin retouching. However, for more advanced retouching techniques or intricate adjustments, professional image editing software like Adobe Photoshop may be necessary.
These are some of the frequently asked questions about skin retouching using the Texture slider in Lightroom. If you have further inquiries, feel free to ask!
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