Scott Ruhs

Ever wonder how to get that soft glamour look in a portrait like in my image She’s Got It Made In The Shades

I use Adobe PhotoShop CS3 (PS), but earlier versions will work as well, and the techniques can be adapted to other similar photo editing software. Also note that I use a Mac so I’ll be using the OPTION key which is the ALT key on a PC and COMMAND key which is the CONTROL key on a PC. So if you’re on a PC substitute the appropriate keys.

Open your image in PS.
Duplicate the layer.
Select Levels from the Image->Adjustments menu item and make any necessary level adjustments and click on ok when you are satisfied.
Select the burn tool and set it to burn shadows at an opacity of around 10% ±3%. While keeping the mouse button down burn the dark area you wish to enhance.
Now switch to the dodge tool by hitting SHIFT-O which cycles through the burn/sponge/dodge tools.
Set the dodge tool to highlights with a similar opacity to what we had with the burn tool.
Use the dodge tool to enhance the lighter areas of the image.
I suggest that you only do a little bit at a time of dodging and burning and alternate often between them.
These two tools act as a controlled contrast.
Once you are satisfied with the burning and dodging, duplicate that layer.
Temporarily turn off all layers except the one you just created. You can do this by OPTION-clicking the layer you wish to remain active.
Now here comes the fun stuff.
Open up the Channels palette which is usually right next to Layers. Assuming you are in RGB mode you will see the RGB composite channel, and the individual red, green, and blue channels. For most people the red channel is the smoothest, and lightest on skin.
COMMAND-click the icon for the red channel. You should see the “marching ants” which means that a selection has been made.
Now click on the RGB channel and switch back to Layers.
Making sure the layer we previously made active is selected, add a layer mask by clicking on the layer mask button at the bottom of the Layers palette.
It will look like part of the image is missing. OPTION-click the “eye” on the active layer to bring back the other layers.
Unlink the mask from the layer by clicking on the little chain icon and then click on the image icon in the layer to select it.
Go to Filters->Blur->Surface Blur. Adjust the setting to a fairly strong blur and click OK.
The image should now have a very smooth look to it.
Set the blend mode for that layer to Luminosity and adjust the opacity to taste.

That is basically how I do this effect. Feel free to experiment and come up with your own techniques.

I hope this was helpful, and not too confusing. It’s easier to do this than to explain it. lol! :)