Retouching

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

Good afternoon all,

I am just checking on something: I know we can't use "filters" to improve our assets, but does that mean I cannot use PortraitPro? If I am allowed, must I stay clear of anything besides skin retouching, such as mascara addition, etc. I understand the goal is to keep pics as close to "real" as possible, so I'm thinking adding makeup or retouching hair might be frowned upon.

Thank you all, in advance 😃

Annette

[Jill_C]

I don't think PortraitPro qualifies as a "filter". As long as the edits are subtle and realistic and don't end up making your subject look like a plastic doll, I think you'll be okay. Adobe has repeatedly stated that there is a market for "authentic" people doing "authentic" things, so you don't necessarily need to strive for perfection.

[George_F]

If it really isn't able to be noticed that software has added the makeup, then I don't think it's necessarily out of the question.  Filters tend to be exaggerated and easily noticeable from my experience, and I feel sure that's why they aren't recommended.  I suppose you'll only know if your image additions appear natural enough if you submit a few. 

I wonder if using that software for commercial use is restricted somehow?  I would check the license to be sure.

But if it really is that easy to makeup with software, I also feel confident that an experienced designer would want to add that themselves so they could style the model exactly how they wanted to.  Food for thought!

[Abambo]

I wonder if using that software for commercial use is restricted somehow?  I would check the license to be sure.

By @George_F

That's not a problem. It's also not generative Ai, even that they claim using AI for analysing and editing the pictures. It's basically a push button solution to protrait retouching. 

But if it really is that easy to makeup with software, I also feel confident that an experienced designer would want to add that themselves so they could style the model exactly how they wanted to.  Food for thought!

By @George_F

Some portrait editors/retouchers prefer models to be natural looking. It's more work to correct bad make-up than to add make-up. I use PortraitPro for our "mug shots": brighten eyes, correcting slightly skin defects (most of that, I do in Lightroom prior to sending the picture to PortaitPro), adding a subtle smile, whitening teeth. Most of this can now also be done easily with Lightroom. 

[George_F]

@Abambo Thanks for the clarification!  I was a bit unsure if PortraitPro had added AI functionality to their software, and what specifically that referred to.

[Abambo]

@George_F ,

If I would put a dumb copy program on the market now, I would claim it is driven by AI. 20 years ago my washing machine was driven by fuzzy logic. My mother's dryer (40+ years) is microprocessor driven. New names for old stuff. Generative AI is different. You ask for a green eyed beauty and get a monster with 2 heads.

[Jill_C]

The "AI" label is getting so overused and misused that it has nearly lost all meaning... 

[Abambo]

The "AI" label is getting so overused and misused that it has nearly lost all meaning... 

By @Jill_C

Artificial intelligence is controlled by natural stupidity.

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

I have submitted some and had them accepted. I was just double-checking. Thanks

[Abambo]

Nice to hear that. And congratulations.

[daniellei4510]

I use PortraitPro all the time, primarily to change eye color. Since I run my portraits through a facial restoration program, it always turns irises brown. The same can be accomplished in Photoshop's Camera Raw Filter or other means, but Portrait Pro is faster and provides a varity of colors to choose from. But otherwise I stay away from adding makeup and the like by turning off most if not all of the other features. I learned a long time ago that it's easy to get carried away.

[Abambo]

You can use PortraitPro for your beauty editing, as long as you do not introduce artefacts. Some of the settings, when pushed, do introduce those. If you turn the hair green for a model, and it looks "natural", go for it. I push professional models more than amateur models, and I've decided, that I don't like the all polished (American) look, PortraitPro produces with some parameters. Since Lightroom introduced its advanced masking I am less inclined to change to PortraitPro and I think that careful editing in Photoshop produces better results. 

Adobe stock accepts any well edited photos, regardless of the tools used. The filter aversion is more against those filters that provide unnatural results.