Skin - my workflow

[jetrim]

Several people have asked for pointers recently on post processing, and one in particular wanted to know about skin. This is *my* typical workflow. It doesn't mean it's 100% correct, and it's certainly not the only way to do it, but I'm pretty content with the results most of the time taking these 7 basic steps in the following order.

This is Patricja, a delightful Polish immigrant who thinks she'd like to try modeling. First let me say that this was shot in the studio using 4 lights configured in a "short lighting" configuration; and that short lighting is often used for male models, but almost never for females because it tends to accentuate every flaw in the face - great for rugged Clint Eastwood types, but not so good for fair maidens. The two main flaws that need to be tended to in this shot are the assorted blemishes and large pores on her skin, and a rather pronounced double chin.