There are many different ways of achieving similar results using Photoshop. There are many different paths you can take that all lead to the same place, right? For example; There are a few different techniques out there for whitening teeth or eyes. Obviously some techniques are better than others and the only real way to find out why is to try all those different techniques and then pick the one that you’re comfortable with and the one that works for you.

Ultimately you have to trust your own instincts in determining which techniques gives you the best results. As a retoucher, it’s you that will determine the quality of outcome of the final retouched image. It’s your artistic eye and attention to detail that will overide any techniques that you learn. Techniques are just tools, like a paintbrush is just a tool. Learning different techniques won’t make you a better retoucher in the same way that buying more paintbrushes won’t make you a better artist.

Learn those different techniques, sure, but it’s more important to know how and when and why to use them and that’s something that can’t be taught.

As long as you’re happy with the results, you’re heading in the right direction.

There is one thing I want to mention that I see a lot of retouchers doing that I really want you to be aware of and try and avoid. I see it quite a lot and it’s a common mistake to make.

EYELID AMPUTATION!!!!!

Ok so first of all, let me just mention that the eyes are the window to the soul, remember?

So retouching the eyes is really important. They need to be bright, healthy, lively looking eyes as they are often a focal point. They need pin sharp focus and will usually have tweaked contrast and colour. Redness and bloodshot veins are removed and more detail is added to the iris. It’s also important to remember that the eyes are spheres and should retain their shape and translucent quality as well as the natural moisture and highlights.

Actually, I may do a whole post just about eyes and how to retouch them at some point… But what I want to talk about right now is the work done around the eyes.

Retouching around the eyes often involves removing wrinkles and lightening the dark areas or bags under the eyes. These are very common problems in portrait photography but all too often I see people get way too heavy handed with their retouching and end up completely removing the natural bulge of the lower eyelid. I see so many beauty/glamour retouch shots where people clone the skin right up underneath the eye, effectively removing all sign of there ever being an eyelid there.

This will often make the image look a little odd and it’s something you be aware of. Here’s a couple of examples of eyelid amputation: