Art of Portrait Retouching in Photoshop
Retouching photos can feel like a delicate art, especially when it comes to backgrounds. Whether you’re working with a complex scene or a backdrop that’s seen better days, cleaning things up while preserving the natural feel is key.
In his latest video tutorial, Prince Meyson takes us through the art of portrait retouching in Photoshop, focusing on how to tackle tricky backgrounds. Using a photo of a model shot against a cyc wall—a surface often scratched and worn over time—Meyson demonstrates techniques to refresh the backdrop without losing the essential details that give a photo its character.
Meyson starts by duplicating the background layer and using generative fill to quickly patch up worn areas. While this method doesn’t provide perfect results immediately, it serves as a great starting point, speeding up the process of background cleanup.
Next, he moves on to more precise editing. After applying generative fill, Meyson uses the patch tool to clean up specific spots. This tool is invaluable for addressing particular areas without causing unwanted blurring or merging of the background. He emphasizes the importance of keeping original lines and shadows intact, especially around objects and the model, to ensure the background remains smooth yet natural.
Meyson also explores the median filter for smoothing out textures while retaining important lines. He advises adjusting the radius setting based on the image’s resolution: too high, and you risk losing detail; too low, and the textures won’t smooth out effectively. By applying the filter selectively with a layer mask and a low-flow brush, you can target specific areas like floors or walls while leaving other parts of the image untouched.
To wrap things up, Meyson demonstrates how to reintroduce texture into the background. After smoothing, a background might look too clean or artificial. To combat this, he adds a subtle grain using the Camera Raw filter, giving the backdrop a more natural feel.
For a comprehensive look at these techniques, check out Meyson’s video tutorial above and master the art of portrait retouching in Photoshop.