January 21, 2007

• Dazzling eyes tutorial.
  

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  If eyes are windows to a person's soul, then this technique will pull open the curtain on those windows.  I love using this technique for portraits!

  I usually save this step for last, after all my other edits are done.  Start by making a copy of your layer in Photoshop, Ctrl+J or Command+J(for Mac).  We will work on this top layer.  Here's a picture of my eyes.
  

  Select the Dodge tool, it’s the one above the Text tool, or hit keyboard letter "O".  Then select a brush size that is about the same size as the iris.  I find it's easier to work at 100% zoom. 
  

  Look up along the row of menus, leave the Range: Midtones, but drop the Exposure: 10% and Hardness = 0%. We want to slowly build up the effect.  Now dodge over where the iris suppose to be.  Don’t worry if it’s too white.  As long as both side are of the same shade then you’re fine.
  
  Be careful not to dodge the whole iris away, but leave that black, outside line around the eye.  It will help give definition to the eye. 
  

  Now that both sides have about the same amount of dodging, drop the Opacity of the top layer to your liking.  There isn’t a correct amount because each picture will have different lighting condition or different mood that you want to project.

  
  

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  Try this technique on black & white photo too...
  ***** Before *****                                                     ***** After *****
    

  • 6:18 am
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