laugh lines, frown lines

[thomflood]

I recently had a shooting disaster. I added 10 years to a woman's face.
The images required a lot of Photoshop time to save.

Somebody please tell me how to avoid that again. For one thing it was a sunny day and the sun was overpowering my efforts at fill flash.

I was told by a questionable source that underexposing by an F stop helps minimize facial lines. Is there any truth to that?

I've also considered digging out a soft focus filter I used to use with a film camera and trying that.

Somebody save me from myself.

[jetrim]

You probably would have done much better with a reflector (white,gold,silver) than a fill flash and even better yet, don't shoot in the middle of the day. Anything can be used as a reflector, it doesn't need to be one of the expensive specialty jobs, a piece of white foam core from Wal Mart or the craft store will do the trick with ease. As for a soft focus filter, try a black silk scarf screwed between the lens and a UV filter - AND DO SOME TEST SHOTS to make sure it gives the effect you want! Never heard the underexposing thing and I've talked to a reasonable number of pros and read quite a bit on the subject.

[thomflood]

How thick should the black silk be? Would a piece cut from a black silk stocking work, or is that too thin?

I have never heard of that technique, but I'll try it.

I knew to avoid shooting in the middle of the day, but that was when she was available. Also I planned to shoot in a gazeebo/pavillion out of the direct sun, but there were complications with that as well.

I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't find any trees with thick enough leaves to provide a decent shade.

Thanks for the advice

[Frog]

What camera are you using? Mine has a setting for portrait and though I've never used it, it is supposed to give a softer result.

[thomflood]

I was using a Pentax ist.

I discovered later it has a control that decreases the sharpness of the image. I should have used that I think