The Professional Photoshop Book - Volume 7 2015

Photo editing

32 The Professional Photoshop Book

4. EDIT WITH CURVES
   The Curves tool in Photoshop is incredibly powerful
   when used correctly in the hands of a professional, as
   retoucher Vitalij Sidorovic (www.behance.net/
   vitalijsidorovic) explains: “Almost every one of my
   photos goes through Curves adjustments, which is
   [essentially] dodging and burning. [I used to]
   underestimate the power of the Curves tool, as I
   usually used it just for colour improvement. But as I
   grew and developed, this is the tool that I always use in
   my retouching now. It is great for cleaning up skin and
   getting rid of unwanted hairs. Before I start editing I
   usually look through the photo to see where I want to
   go with it, then I mark areas that might need more
   editing time and get myself prepared.
   “I start off creating a Black & White adjustment layer
   on top of my original document and then I add two
   Curves adjustment layers: one which has boosted
   exposure and another one that is darkened. Both
   layers are masked out so that when using a soft brush,

© Creative Director: Adeera Borg

Photographer: Vitalij SidorovicHair Stylist: Vimal Chavda

Makeup Artist: Michelle CourtCo Hair Stylist: Teffany Stoby

Model: Jordan Bolessa

with a very low Flow of 1-7%, I start painting over the

areas that need fixing and smoothing out.

“When I finish with dodging and burning [in this

way], sometimes the colours on the skin need fixing,

which is when the Saturation tool comes in very handy.

This technique allows me to create smooth-looking

skin while still maintaining a natural look.”

3. TOP TIPS FOR PERFECT FASHION EDITING

Avoid the plastic look: “Frequency separation is great, but

use it too much and you are in danger of getting that plastic look. A lot of people that I have met think of this as

a quick and easy way to clean up the skin, but at the same time they always go over the top. Stay with the classic

Dodge and Burn tools, which takes a while sometimes, but in the end result the model will still look like a model.”

Develop a style:same tools when editing my pictures. It makes the process “I always have the same sets and even

quicker, as well as [allowing me to] keep the same style and quality throughout the work. If a picture still does not

look right, try adding something else, but make sure it is still within your style. Maintaining the same look will help

you to create a [recognisable] personal style.”

Retouch with care: “Retouching is a powerful tool, and good

retouching can create a completely new look for a picture. I usually have a good look at the photo before any editing.

Even before the photoshoot, I usually know what I want to

Selective Color:next task] for me after dodging and burning. This tool allows “The Selective Color tool is usually [the

me to control the colours in the pictures, either bringing them up or saturating unwanted colours if they are too

© Photographer – Vitalij SidorovicModel – Kristina Lipinskaite

MUA – Make Up Artist ErnestaAssistant – Monika Alijauskaite

© Photographer: Vitalij Sidorovict

Model: Cecelia MorganMake-Up Artist: Anechka Golubova

© Photographer: Vitalij Sidorovic

Models: Olivija Plekaviciute & Lewis

© Photographers: Vitalij Sidorovic & Monika Alijauskaite

Make up and Style: Make Up Artist ErnestaHairstyle: Irmante Petrilionyte

achieve. It is always good to see if you can get something

more out of the photo with editing. Most importantly, do not overdo it; great retouching is when people cannot see

it was retouched.”

much of a distraction. [The same as] with the frequency separation technique, you need to be careful with it and not

overuse it, or your image will look like [it’s been treated] with an Instagram filter.”

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