Scott Kelby’s best book so far!…

and the very best portrait retouching book for photographers on the market today.

Professional Portrait Retouching Techniques for Photographers Using Photoshop by Scott Kelby

A Quick Disclaimer:

I was the “Technical Editor” on this book. The tech editor gets to go over the book looking for any Photoshop goofs or maybe a procedure that isn’t clear, etc. There were very few problems I was able to point out to Scott, after all he is, Scott Kelby! To be completely honest, it was a cake job and I was definitely overpaid. Don’t tell Scott

So my point is I worked for Scott on this book and you might think I am biased. Maybe I am biased, but look at it this way who better than I, someone who is both a professional photographer and retoucher, someone who has read all of Scott’s books (or at least skimmed them , to know that this is Scott’s best book to date? As a mater of fact I at least skim almost every retouching book that gets published each year.

Now I know a few cynical types will post comments on how I am brown nosing or sucking up to the boss… so be it. Long before I ever received a paycheck from Scott Kelby’s company, I was a Scott Kelby fan.

This book is NOT for you if…

You are a professional full time retoucher. The techniques Scott demonstrates are primarily for photographers who retouch their own photos. I’m not saying retouchers won’t benefit from this book. I know quite a few pro retouchers that could learn a thing or two from this book, but this book is more focused on the needs of photographers. Those who want to make their photography look as professional, polished and above all, as competitive as they can. Scott’s techniques are simple, straight forward, and easy to follow. Best of all they are FAST. I do some work as a high end retoucher and it is not uncommon to spend a day or two retouching one photo. Scott discusses these high end retouching techniques but does not dwell on them. Scott’s techniques are geared toward 99% of the photography produced today by portrait, wedding, and commercial photographers. Photographers who need to make their photos look their best in a reasonable amount of time.

What I like best about this book…

Scott has provided an extremely thorough check list for retouching photos. One of the questions I hear all the time is, “How do I know what I need to fix in a photo?” Well Scott’s check list has you covered. He lists about 50 items or so that are commonly retouched, everything from sharpening eyes, to reducing hot spots, to body sculpting is listed . Scott also points out, very importantly, that you are probably not going to actually retouch everything on the list. You might have a photo that only needs two items from the list retouched or you might have to do twenty, but you will most likely never have to retouch everything on this list. The idea is you can go through the list and make note of what needs to be addressed and what doesn’t.

I also really like Scott’s, “12 Things you need to know to make your Retouching Easier”. My favorite piece of advice from the “12 Things”, is “#2: Walk Away after a while:  If you’ve been retouching for a while, you start seeing everything as a problem to be retouched, and after about an hour, most folks start to over retouch and not realize it…” I wish I would of had this advice ten years ago!

Another really helpful part of the book is Scott’s retouching workflows. Scott offers, “The 5-Minute Retouch”, “The 15-Minute Retouch”, and “The 30-Minute Retouch”. These are perfect for the working photographer! Simply pick the workflow you have time for. You want to show something quick to your portrait client while they are still in your studio? Try Scott’s “5-Minute Retouch” to whet their appetite. You’ll be amazed the quality you can produce in just five minutes!

All of this information is provided in Scott’s easy conversational manor with a big dose of his wacky sense of humor! What I have always liked best about Scott’s books, DVDs, live classes, etc., is that Scott always makes you feel like your a friend just sitting down at the computer with him, having a few laughs and learning some really cool stuff! Maybe even have a beer or two…(Scott doesn’t drink so I’ll have his too, hic

In summary…

If you are a photographer that does any kind of people shooting, whether it’s portraits, weddings, or commercial, and you are doing your own retouching, then you need this book. I guarantee your photos are going to look amazing!

Just found COOL traveling seminar! The Flash Bus by greats Joe McNally Photo & David Hobby The Strobist

I wanna go flash the bus! http://www.theflashbus.com

Visit my Page and ‘Like’ me today! Some random fan will win a FREE retouching DVD on March 2nd, my birthday! http://www.facebook.com/davidcuerdon

Check out my 2 classes on March 31st:

The Power of Lightroom Presets

and

Fixing Common (But Overlooked) Portrait Problems in Photoshop

See ya there!

I am psyched and honored to be teaching at SYNC, Senior and Youth National Conference for photographers who shoot senior portraits!

I’ll be doing 2 evening programs for at least one and  a half hours each night. I’ll be offering lots of photography and Photoshop tips, plus plenty of fun give aways!

It will be a blast! Come by and say howdy!

Go to the SYNC website for more info.

Thanks to my sponsor and good friends, Graphic Authority!

DAVES-PS-CS5_Updated_Beauty_Kit_Actions.zip

I am currently producing a hugely expanded version of the Beauty Kit for Photoshop CS5 through my good friends at Kelby Training, I’ll let everyone know more details when I can. Everything else in the original kit including all of the brushes work exactly the same. Some people don’t realize that when you upgrade Photoshop, you have to reload any custom brushes you have. I explain everything in video lesson 2 “Downloads Folder”.

I strongly suggest you try my technique of keeping all of my Photoshop (and Lightroom) Presets, Plug-ins, and Stuff together in one folder, I call…well…”Photoshop_Presets_Plug-ins_N_Stuff” It really makes reloading all of these files so much easier after an upgrade.

If you are interested in buying my Beauty Kit, you can buy it directly from yours truly for only $43.99 plus $3.99 shipping (within the U.S.) $5 of your purchase goes to St. Jude Children’s Hospital:

There seems to be some confusion on how to use my eyelash brush. This should explain it all!

Navigate to DCs_Beauty_Kit_Tool_Presets.tpl

Now under the Brush Tool Preset drop-down menu, you will see DCs Eyelash Brush, select it.

You’ll see that the “Dune Grass” brush is automatically selected for you.

There are just a few seats left!

Colorado Workshops

Only $149 for a full day of Fashion Photography and Retouching Training.

Join me, David Cuerdon, in Denver, Colorado, Dec. 7th, for a day of innovative photographic techniques, breathtaking digital fantasy, and Photoshop magic. This is your opportunity to follow Dave from the inception of an image, to the birth of a masterpiece of imagination.

More Info. Here

Rock Angel