HOW TO SOFTEN FRECKLES IN PHOTOSHOP

When we do our makeover shoots some clients like to have strong make-up applied and for a couple of hours feel a different person and some want a softer approach and just enhance their natural features.

Retaining a freckled complexion

For me freckles have a natural attractiveness, being of that skin colour myself. But some express their self-consciousness and ask what we do to cover over without it appearing to be overdone.

First we apply the make-up with a small amount of foundation and in near neutral colours only to enhance skin complexion and with eye shadow and lip colour to correspond. We will apply colour to bring out facial contours for example the cheekbones. This is certainly best done in the comfort of our make-up facility in our Darlington studio.

However we will generally finish off a photo in Photoshop and here is the method I use.

The purpose is not to remove the freckles altogether, after all it they are a natural feature and not altogether a bad one. So this technique aims to reduce the dominance of the freckles allowing the underlying structure of the face to come through. We are seeking to retain enough of the original look of the face rather than an overworked appearance.

Sampling Colour

Select the Eyedropper tool and check to see that the Sample Size (in the options bar) is set to average 3x3 or 5x5 pixels. Choose a part of the face to be brushed and click to select a colour of the skin to be applied. This will appear as a foreground colour

Brush Blend

Select the Brush tool and change the blend mode to Lighten, selecting the mode from the drop- down Mode list in the tool’s option bar. When the brush is in the Lighten mode Photoshop compares the paint colour with the pixels being painted over. Only the pixels that are darker are replaced with the paint colour, effectively lightening the area.

Opacity Change

In the options bar reduce the opacity. I prefer to reduce it to quite a low percentage, say 10%, and gradually cover over the area. Whatever you choose a setting of 100% would produce a result that was too smooth. Reducing the opacity allows a little of the old freckle texture to show through, maintaining the feeling of realism while reducing the freckles’ dominance.

Working over small areas depending on the shade and colour tone paint over the freckles until each part is to your liking.

Another way of lightening a face is to copy the image layer, change the blend mode to Screen and then reduce the opacity of the layer to say 40%, or whatever looks best, bringing back some of the original. Apply a layer mask to the Screen layer and using a black brush on the white background of the mask bring back the original or darker areas you want such as hair and clothing.

HOW TO GET STARTED AS A PHOTOGRAPHIC MODEL

A photographic model is like any other performer and what gets them work is evidence of their previous work, a display of what they can do. The performers portfolio, sometimes called their work book is crucial to getting through the first door in being considered for a job.

The model with lots of photos showing the same look time after time is making a big mistake.

So what would I advise?

First, decide what type of modeling to focus on. It determines the images to be included and better to be focused than just any image that happens to look good. Don’t leave it to an agent or. You must present yourself for the purpose required.

Look at the following list and select five areas from it: -

·      Headshot

·      Full length - fashion or formal

·      Full length - casual

·      Editorial (specifically shot for a magazine cover or article)

·      Interactive (with another model)

·      In Character

·      Beauty/Glamour

·      Environmental or outdoor

·      Head shots with light to no make-up on

·      Figure showing (Shapely clothing/Swimwear/Underwear/Lingerie)

·      Mood (showing a particular emotion/mood)

·      Handling an object

·      Others to personalise the portfolio

A portfolio should include about 8 to 12 good images that represent the type of modeling you wish to pursue and then you should change and update these every so often or when you go for particular jobs.

A portfolio should focus on the three “F”s: Face, Figure and Fashion.  We would aim to produce two images in each of the five chosen areas but usually to include two headshots showing different expressions, two full length shots and two figure showing shots. From the other choices in the list an Interactive shot is useful and either In Character or Mood.

Images tend to be produced in digital form now but it is still useful to have a printed portfolio in 12”x9” print size

Of course there is one last thing: like in every walk of life rewards come to those with hard work and dedication, no substitute – ask any top model!

At our Darlington studio we advise models on the best portfolio, can provide training and give experience by performing at our fashion shows.

Hayley McKay - Singer/Songwriter/Music Producer

During this last month I have had the privilege of working again with Hayley McKay a talented young singer, songwriter and music producer. Having some experience in the management of performing artists in the music business at GScott Photography we know only too well the importance of creating the musicians portfolio. It has to be more than just taking pictures at a gig, although these would be part of a portfolio – it should include photos that connect with the person or group and which will suit the type of music or work performed. 

Hayley, originally from Darlington, spends her time between home and London where she is steadily gaining a reputation in the musical entertainment business. I have worked with her for a couple of years now producing photographic images. Currently we are working on her overall image and over this next year she should be emerging much stronger in the London scene.