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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Pimp Those Eyes!
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AuthorThread
 09/29/2006 09:30:54 AM · #1
Hi guys! I've been hording a secret about processing and now I want to share it with you all, 50,435 of my closest friends.

Its all about the eyes.

Start with an average okay looking image with good focus on the eyes. Note: if the eyes aren't in focus this process will help a little, but not much. Focus is vital.

These are my eyes, shot with a 50mm F1.4 lens and good light:
Image 1

First, using a clone tool, I want to remove the extra catchlights so that only one dominates:
Image 2

Next, if you want to adjust/improve the color of the eyes, use this method:
To change eye colors in a photo:
1 - create dupe layer and change blending mode to Color
2 - choose the lovely eye color you wish to have via paintbrush/pallet
3 - paint over the iris with your new color choice
4 - flatten layer

This process only changes the color portions of the eye and doesn't affect white or black - so your details & highlights are unchanged.
Image 3

Now, here is the REAL secret:
Using a burn tool at a fairly low exposure (less than 20%), burn along the line that separates the iris from the white of the eye. Not too much or it will look fake. Notice I did not touch the color of the iris in Image 4, I only burned the outline of the iris. It makes a great deal of difference and really makes the color stand out:
Image 4

Finally (mostly for children and men who do not wear make-up, but needed on some women's portraits too), using the same burn tool, LIGHTLY outline the top and bottom eyelids right along the lash line (like eyeliner). Again, not too much or it will look bad, you only want to make the lashes look a bit darker/fuller.
Image 5

And there ya go - pimped out eyes that don't look fake! :)

Please let me know if you try this method; if you like this method and post your results.

Cindi

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 11:19:38.
 09/29/2006 09:40:14 AM · #2
Just a personal preference, but I like the original colour better. ;>þ
 09/29/2006 09:40:42 AM · #3
That;s a very nice mini-tutorial, cindi. If I ever had any eyes that needed pimping I'd be on this one like white on rice.

R.
 09/29/2006 09:42:28 AM · #4
LOL Thanks, Robert. Maybe you can pimp Deb's eyes. :)

David, I don't much like that color either, I just picked one at random. heheeee
 09/29/2006 10:05:06 AM · #5
And I, for one, don't mind the extra catch light (a least the one that was inside the iris on both eyes).

One other thing that I will often do in place of the step where you colored the eyes, is to dodge them a little. But mostly on the side that is oposite the catch light. Here is an example:


09/29/2006 10:08:33 AM · #6
that's a pretty cool technique, cindi, and i'm gonna try it today. but i may have one that's easier. ok, it doens't change eye colour, but it does make blow away eyes...

duplicate layer, put through high pass
blending option - soft light
alt click to make a black layer mask, then make only the eyes visible. if not too many eye wrinkles, the eyelashes look nice with this as well.

duplicate layer
blending option screen
same layer mask, just the eyes showing.
adjust opacity until it doesn't look freaky.


(crap focus here...)


eta. it works with brown eyes too. i just don't have any uploaded with brown at the moment...

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 10:10:55.
 09/29/2006 10:16:09 AM · #7
i will surely try that out when i have something that needs that done...thanks cindi!
 09/29/2006 10:26:22 AM · #8
Thanks Cindi. What a great tutorial.
I want to try that. :)
09/29/2006 11:07:07 AM · #9
Great thread! thanks.
09/29/2006 11:14:11 AM · #10
Originally posted by jaded_youth:
Great thread! thanks.


Cindi,

Very informative. Thanks a bunch!

When you are burning along the edge of the iris (and all the subsequent steps), which layer are you working on? The duplicate layer from the eye color step? Or does it matter since the blending mode is color?
 09/29/2006 11:15:17 AM · #11
Posts like this are one of the main reasons I joined DPC, thanks so much for taking the time to put this together, I am going to take some shots and play with the eyes and I'm sure I will learn based on this thread. Thanks.

MattO
 09/29/2006 11:18:48 AM · #12
Originally posted by lesgainous:


When you are burning along the edge of the iris (and all the subsequent steps), which layer are you working on? The duplicate layer from the eye color step? Or does it matter since the blending mode is color?


Sorry, I forgot to mention I flatten that 'color' layer the moment I'm finished with it. Everything else is done on the original layer. I'll edit the original post

I'm glad you guys are finding this info helpful. I'm glad I shared it. :)

edit: typo

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 11:20:35.
 09/29/2006 11:20:22 AM · #13
cindi's brain is huge
 09/29/2006 11:37:15 AM · #14
Dammit and I thought yours were natural. After all I done for you and you didn't even let me in on that secret early. ;)

Great read Cindi. Maybe you should write up a official tutorial.
 09/29/2006 11:41:03 AM · #15
Originally posted by alfresco:
cindi's brain is huge


Careful not to mention other things or you have to flag the post as Adult Content. :-)

09/29/2006 11:42:51 AM · #16
Gratitude in your general direction.

Thankssss.
09/29/2006 11:48:40 AM · #17
i gave your suggestions a shot. what do you think? i think maybe went too heavy on the color but it does look awesome.

before:

after:
 09/29/2006 11:49:24 AM · #18

oh by the way. is this all legal for advanced editing? ive never changed the blending mode before.

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 11:49:36.
 09/29/2006 11:52:00 AM · #19
Originally posted by jaded_youth:
oh by the way. is this all legal for advanced editing? ive never changed the blending mode before.


Yep.

edit: duh, thought I read 'basic' there.

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 11:54:14.
 09/29/2006 11:53:36 AM · #20
James - I hadn't thought of writing an actual tutorial, but will if there is some interest.

Crystal, that looks great! And yes, this method is Advanced-editing-friendly. NOT basic-friendly!
 09/29/2006 11:55:45 AM · #21
Great tutorial, I am going to try this when I get home, thanks!
 09/29/2006 01:33:50 PM · #22
Originally posted by jaded_youth:
i gave your suggestions a shot. what do you think? i think maybe went too heavy on the color but it does look awesome.

before:

after:


Sweet, Crystal! Although I like both colors.
 09/29/2006 01:33:54 PM · #23
Wow, almost 400 views in just a few hours - I guess that's interest. I'll try to write up & submit a proper tutorial this weekend.

*adds another item to the gotta-do list*.
09/29/2006 01:38:09 PM · #24
Cindi, you are a goddess in many, many ways. Great tutorial!
 09/29/2006 02:10:08 PM · #25
Originally posted by idnic:

Next, if you want to adjust/improve the color of the eyes, use this method:
To change eye colors in a photo:
1 - create dupe layer and change blending mode to Color
2 - choose the lovely eye color you wish to have via paintbrush/pallet
3 - paint over the iris with your new color choice
4 - flatten layer

This process only changes the color portions of the eye and doesn't affect white or black - so your details & highlights are unchanged.
Image 3


If I can add the key here is to choose a ntural eye color or else it will look fake as heel but you can have fun with it.

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 14:10:46.
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