Step 1
The launch of Photoshop CC has seen the introduction of some major new features, including some excellent photo retouch tools and expanded Smart Object support.
Smart Objects allow for non-destructive editing, storing layers upon layer of retouching within one visible layer, rather like a family tree, to use a metaphor. When the parent image is altered at the roots (or DNA), its effects are automatically seen throughout the branches (the offspring).
Here we use the new Lens Correction, Shake Reduction and Smart Sharpen filters; and the new Camera Raw filter, which lets you adjust photos using Adobes Raw processing engine, rather than just as you import images.
Other new tools in Photoshop CC include better ways to work with vector shapes and paths.
Step 2
The photo of burlesque dancer Billie Rae Im using here was the image I used in my first ever tutorial for Digital Arts back in 2011, as I want to show how the advancements in Photoshop have improved whats possible in retouching.
Therefore, the original image as edited in Photoshop CS3 is over to the right with the 2013 version, so you can compare the differences.
Step 3
Open up your image in Photoshop. In the Layers panel, double-click on the background layer to unlock it and name your layer Original for reference.
Naming your Photoshop layers is good practice, but for Smart Objects its a necessity, which will become more apparent later on. Once youre done, press OK.
Step 4
On your new layer, right-click on the layer name to open a sub-menu. Click on Convert To Smart Object option, which will bring up a small icon on the bottom right of the layers preview image.
This confirms the image has been converted into a Smart Object and can be edited non-destructively.
Step 5
Its now time to start editing. First, go to Filter > Lens Correction and in the Auto Correction tab select the Camera Make, Model and Lens from the drop-down menus. This will correct any distortion caused as a direct result of the camera equipment.
To get the most from the filter, ensure all the other settings match the ones shown here. Press OK once youre done.
Step 6
Next, well perform some basic colour correction, using the new Camera Raw Filter. In general this works just like the pre-processing tool from previous versions of Photoshop and which still appears when you bring in a Raw file though it gains support for the latest cameras and SLRs.
Go to Filter > Camera Raw Filter and in the right-hand panel, click the Iris icon to bring up the Basics tab. Adjust the Exposure slider to fix any under- or over-exposure. You can also set the White Balance here to remove any unwanted colour cast.
My image had a pink hue, plus a very small amount of yellow from an artificial light in the studio. Ive removed these.
Step 7
Still in the Camera Raw Filter dialog, nows a good time to open the Detail tab and apply any noise reduction necessary. This is particularly useful for anyone shooting in low light at a higher ISO.
Once youre happy with the results, press OK.
Step 8
Now that the image is correctly exposed and colour-balanced, your Layer Panel should look like this.
If you need to make any changes at this point to either of the processes weve just covered, the dialog boxes for both can be accessed by double-clicking either of the filter names in the Layer Panel.
These dialog boxes appear with your current settings intact, so minor adjustments can be made easily.
Step 9
Our next Smart Filter will involve some masking that we dont want to affect our current changes, so were going to package our Smart Filters and the original image into a brand new Smart Object.
Select the Original layer and repeat Step 2 of this tutorial. Your filters will seem to disappear from your Layers panel. Rename the visible layer to Sharpen and your Layers panel should look like this.
Again, renaming your layers is really important, so dont forget to do so.
Step 10
With the Sharpen Smart Object selected, were now going to work on improving the sharpness of our image with a new feature in Photoshop CC that can detect and repair camera shake.
Select Filter > Sharpen > Shake Reduction, which will bring up a new dialog box. Drag the Blur Estimation Region (the selection box) over the area you want to analyse and experiment with different settings until you reach the desired effect.
For this image, I used the advanced features to add a second Blur Estimation Region to analyse both the face and the clothing as they had different motion patterns. Once youre happy with the results, press OK.
Step 11
Alternatively, for the last step, you can go to Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen to enhance your image.
Here you can remove the effects of lens and motion blur with Photoshops new and vastly improved sharpening algorithm. Choose your preferred settings by repositioning the sliders and once done, press OK.
Step 12
Sharpening is great for improving the appearance of eyes, and details in clothing and jewellery. However, its not great for skin, which we want to keep as smooth as possible.
In the Layers panel, click on the white rectangle called Smart Filters and, using a soft-edged black brush, mask over the areas of your image you dont want sharpened.
Step 13
Repeat Step 2, renaming the layer Liquify. Go to Filter > Liquify and make any necessary changes to your image. I was mostly happy with this photo, but I made a few minor adjustments to the neck and soften the ribcage a little.
Step 14
Repeat Step 2 again, this time renaming the layer Blemishes. Create a new blank layer above it and rename it Blemish Removal.
Using the Healing Brush tool (J) at 100%, change the Sample to Current and Below. Use the Alt key to select your sampling area and then start brushing over any blemishes or stray hairs.
Step 15
Select both layers this time and guess what repeat Step 2 again, renaming the new layer Highlights.
Press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N to create a new layer above this and name it Dodge. Set the blending mode to Overlay and tick the box to fill the layer with a 50% grey. This is a non-destructive layer that will allow us to dodge out blemishes while preserving the original Smart Image.
Step 16
Using the Dodge tool with its Range set to Midtones at 4% opacity, lift any shadows or blemishes on the skin, such as bags under the eyes or wrinkles.
Step 17
Hit Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N to create a second new layer and name it Hair. Set the blending mode to Overlay and tick the box to fill the layer with a 50% grey as before. Again, select the Dodge tool, but this time set the Range to to Highlights at 4% opacity.
Brush over the highlights in the hair to give them extra shine.
Step 18
Once youre done, repeat Step 2 (for the last time) and rename the layer Effects. This is where we will now add any required stylisation to our images, as this is the element most likely to need changing in the future.
Here Ive used the Camera Raw filter again to apply a Split Toning effect to change the overall tone of the image, bringing out the green in Billies costume and pulling back the reds for a more subtle look that still has a really nice contrast to it.
Step 19
Ive also experimented with an Iris Blur to add depth to my photo by going to Filter > Blur > Iris Blur.
Step 20
Finally, when youre happy with your image, right-click on the layer to convert to a final Smart Image, which well call Finished Image.
Just remember to save your progress.
Step 21
Tip 1
If youre working with Raw images, when you open your chosen image the Camera Raw dialog box will appear. To skip Steps 1 and 2 of this tutorial, hold down Cmd/Ctrl + Shift to change the Open Image button to Open Object, which will open your photo in Photoshop CC as an unlocked Smart Object.
Alternatively, if youre an Adobe Lightroom user, you can also use the Edit In Photoshop As A Smart Object option.
Image right: Betsy Rose at Murder Mile Studios. Copyright Tigz Rice Studios
Step 22
Tip 2
If youre interested in comparing the differences between the old and new Photoshop algorithms, click on the cog in the top right of the Smart Sharpen dialog box and tick the Use Legacy box. The difference in quality is really noticeable.
Image right: Lou On The Rocks at Tigz Rice Studios. Copyright Tigz Rice Studios
Step 23
Tip 3
If at any point you need to make changes to your retouching, you can access your root folders by double-clicking on the Smart Object layer itself, which will take you down one level.
The name of the Smart Object that appears will tell you what retouching was done within that Smart Object Group. Continue to double-click down through the root folder until you reach the layer you need to adjust.
Once youve made your changes, remember to click Cmd/Ctrl + S to save your changes and allow them to filter back through the subsequent Smart Objects.
Image right: Tabitha Taboo at the Rivoli Ballroom. Copyright Tigz Rice Studios
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