Skin tones Part 2

Ahhhhhhhhhh, good skin tones…..

Assuming that you have good capture, (exposure/white balance), there are several ways to acquire or enhance skin tones. One of the best ways is by using the selective color (IMAGE/ADJUSTMENTS/SELECTIVE COLOR, or ALT-I-A-S). I have been using this for a little while now, and so far it’s rendered us outstanding skin tones. Here’s how it works.

Simply reduce the amount of cyan in the reds. Usually about 40-50%. I could go more, but I hold off. Why? Because when I adjust the contrast later it will bring out more tones in the image, thus giving me more red in the skin. There is a lot of red in the skin, especially Caucasians, so by doing this technique you will give most people more warmth and glow to their skin tone- but be careful!! Do not over do it.

The thing I like about using the selective color this way, is that I am only working with the red tones. If I didn’t want to affect any other reds (like the reds in her coat) I can simply do several things:

1. Make a selection around her face and then perform the adjustments.

OR

2. After the adjustments simply use the history brush and erase the areas I don’t wish affected.

Keep reading….