Black Z Eddie wrote:
OP, if you use the software on that link, apply sparingly and on areas that need it.  Even at it's default setting, Threshold = 20, it can/will look heavy handed.  Either lower the threshold and/or just slowly mask the opacity in as needed.

I used to use it and started off at Threshold = 5.  That's how low I would use it because it has a strong effect.  I think at most, I went to 7.  often times, I'd go down to 3.

If you do a frequency split you can then apply the filter against the low frequency layer without affecting texture.

K I M I L Y wrote:
I'm no expert but I wouldn't characterise that work as necessarily filter airbrushed myself. D&B can look quite different depending on how heavy handed you are, how well you understand light, texture, colour, anatomy etc.

If you're determined to use a filter though a popular and fairly flexible one is Imagenomic Portraiture:

http://www.imagenomic.com/pt.aspx

Thanks.  That's interesting.  Thanks for the link too although I think it might be a bit too heavy handed plus I have to pay for it :-/

a k mac wrote:
I'm only viewing on a 13" laptop, but most of these just look like skilful D&B plus a lot of painting in of highlights to enhance the sheen. There are some images further down in the portfolio which may have been achieved using a combination of D&B plus some FS bandstop, but generally they just look like skilful standard retouching. Having said that, usually the only tell-tale sign of the use of filters and plugins for skin smoothing is when the job is heavy-handed. It is very hard to detect when they are blended in and used with taste and discretion.

Thanks AK Mac I will try to paint some of those highlights in as well then.  Yes if I use a filter it's only going to be at a low percentage but hopefully it will help reduced the contrast/texture in the skin.  That's my goal

Black Z Eddie wrote:
OP, if you use the software on that link, apply sparingly and on areas that need it.  Even at it's default setting, Threshold = 20, it can/will look heavy handed.  Either lower the threshold and/or just slowly mask the opacity in as needed.

I used to use it and started off at Threshold = 5.  That's how low I would use it because it has a strong effect.  I think at most, I went to 7.  often times, I'd go down to 3.

Good advice thank you Eddie

K I M I L Y wrote:

If you do a frequency split you can then apply the filter against the low frequency layer without affecting texture.

Kimily, this is interesting.  I tried a frequency split this morning, I think that's a good start.  So using your method, I apply the filter to which layer?  When I do frequency split I have two layers, 1 is my blurred layer, the second is my texture layer.  Which layer should I apply the filter to?
Also do you know of any free skin smoothing filters?

Cole Bettelyoun wrote:
These ain't no smoothing filters, this is Dodge and Burn work. Great work imo.

Unfortunately she is not paying old school dodge & burn prices, (I've already done 3 hours/image) she is paying bargain basement filter prices!!

Steven Burnette Retouch wrote:
If you're looking for a filter that will by itself achieve those results, then you're very much out of luck. A significant amount of work time was put in before reaching those results. Before even considering the post work, consider those images in the setup and photography stages. Just looking at the first six images, I believe that all those faces were treated with an oily substance (that's not done in post), it may possible be glycerin. Then there's the lighting.

Would you say that the RAW images from your client are in a similar category to these ? If not, you are setting yourself up for a serious uphill battle with digital alchemy to attempt to come anywhere close to those looks in post. Sometimes as professionals, it's part of our job to get the client's expectations to the right levels. Sometimes, clients really don't know what is realistically achievable with the components they bring to us. They will go "I want you to take all of this and come back to me with that". It's up to you to not end up over promising and under delivering.

To be fair, her raws are very good (lighting, colour correction wise) but no the skin has not been treated in that way (glycerin - wow!)
Yeah maybe I have to manage her expectations!

a k mac wrote:
I'm only viewing on a 13" laptop, but most of these just look like skilful D&B plus a lot of painting in of highlights to enhance the sheen. There are some images further down in the portfolio which may have been achieved using a combination of D&B plus some FS bandstop, but generally they just look like skilful standard retouching. Having said that, usually the only tell-tale sign of the use of filters and plugins for skin smoothing is when the job is heavy-handed. It is very hard to detect when they are blended in and used with taste and discretion.

Also re: FS Bandstop, do you mean F stop in-camera or is this something else?

SW Retouch wrote:

Also re: FS Bandstop, do you mean F stop in-camera or is this something else?

I think it's also referred to as Band Pass, but I believe Band Stop is the correct term. It's a technique that is generally regarded as naughty. But there is a time and place for everything.

a k mac wrote:

SW Retouch wrote:

Also re: FS Bandstop, do you mean F stop in-camera or is this something else?

I think it's also referred to as Band Pass, but I believe Band Stop is the correct term. It's a technique that is generally regarded as naughty. But there is a time and place for everything.

Oh yes I tried that automatically.  I'm all for a cheeky shortcut!

SW Retouch wrote:
Kimily, this is interesting.  I tried a frequency split this morning, I think that's a good start.  So using your method, I apply the filter to which layer?  When I do frequency split I have two layers, 1 is my blurred layer, the second is my texture layer.  Which layer should I apply the filter to?

The blurred layer - commonly referred to as the LF or low frequency layer. Just like bandstop. BTW it's not my method - in fact I don't believe I've ever tried it. I'm just suggesting there might be other ways of controlling how a skin-smoothing filter could be selectively applied if people think it's too heavy-handed.

SW Retouch wrote:
Also do you know of any free skin smoothing filters?

Not off the top of my head - I'm not a regular user of third party filters. Have a search through this forum - I'm pretty sure people will have posted their own actions or links to free skin smoothing filters or actions in the past.

SW Retouch wrote:
Unfortunately she is not paying old school dodge & burn prices, (I've already done 3 hours/image) she is paying bargain basement filter prices!!

Learning to say "No" is a skill superior to filtering images if one wants better clients.

K I M I L Y wrote:
Just a friendly word of caution. It comes across as unprofessional to discuss, in public, your dealings with someone you've identified. It's not needed in order to have a sensible discussion.

Yes of course, I haven't mentioned any names but thanks for the reminder!

anchev wrote:

Learning to say "No" is a skill superior to filtering images if one wants better clients.

Ha ha.  Yes maybe in time!

K I M I L Y wrote:
I'm no expert but I wouldn't characterise that work as necessarily filter airbrushed myself. D&B can look quite different depending on how heavy handed you are, how well you understand light, texture, colour, anatomy etc.

If you're determined to use a filter though a popular and fairly flexible one is Imagenomic Portraiture:

http://www.imagenomic.com/pt.aspx

agree with this  , but you can get the same look from frequency seperation .

SW Retouch wrote:
Hi,

I have a new US client who likes the smooth, retouched look of this photographer http://jenn-collins.com

Is there a popular filter download?  What are people using these days to achieve this look?

It looks like a Frequency Separation edit.  There isn't a one-click filter, yet, that I know of, but Youtube has a lot of good videos on how to do it.  The settings that work on one photo, usually won't work on another photo, as the lighting on the face will be different, but with enough experience, you'll be able to do that technique in 5-10 minutes.