Please note: This is how I edit guys. Not necessarily how anyone else does or how you should, but what works for me.
Photoshopping is a hot topic: whether it’s appropriate, ethical, alters reality, etc. If my photos were going on the cover of TIME magazine, this might be relevant. Since they aren’t, I can and will continue to do whatever I want with them, following my own personal aesthetic. Does anyone cry “Photoshopped!” over B&Ws? Show me someone whose reality is desaturated.
My 15-year-old son is a victim of teenage hormones, which leave their mark on his skin. We’ve all been there. When I imported our class picture shots from this week, my 13-year-old daughter, who didn’t feel the need to expend any of her small measure of tact for her brother’s sake, was quick to mention how much editing I would need to do to his face.
Is his teenage skin “reality”? Yes. Is it permanent and who he “is”? No.
I don’t want him to look back at his sophomore class pictures and see nothing but 15-year-old boy skin, which looked different two weeks ago and will look different still two weeks from now.
I want him to remember how he’d just gotten a haircut and liked to style it in a faux hawk.
I want him to see that cocky grin, ready to take on the world.
I want him to remember the “I’m channeling Psych‘s Sean Spencer” shot.
I don’t want him to remember zits.
He’s got a scar under his left eye from getting caught by an older brother’s backswing in a Thanksgiving Day baseball game when he was little. I would never edit it. That is part of him, and my guys have always embraced the “chicks dig scars” mentality, anyway. 😉
I do most of my editing in Lightroom, but I use Photoshop’s Spot Healing Brush Tool to clean up teen skin. Just make the brush slightly larger than the bumps and click away. I do this first and then save the image back into Lightroom. (Command + E on my Mac takes the image into Photoshop, “save” brings it back into Lightroom as a separate psd file. I do not check the box telling Lightroom to stack my edit with the original file. I like them separate.)
When editing guys, I usually don’t use the skin softening brush in Lightroom, either, except possibly to even out skin tone in a small spot, and I never, ever apply a soft focus preset or reduce the overall clarity of the image. I’m much more likely to boost clarity and exaggerate lines and imperfections.
I want guys to look like guys. I’ll save the glamour edits for photos of me women.
Your thoughts? Do you edit guys and girls differently?
I’m with you. I want people to look at our photos and remember precious moments, not be upset about zits or dark undereye circles, or wrinkles accentuated by shadows.
will you come over and give me lessons?
Melissa, wouldn’t that be fun, friend? 🙂
I clean up their skin too. In fact: I have strict orders from my teen daughter to ALWAYS edit out zits. My son “says” he doesn’t care, but I am not so sure. Here’s the most recent pic of I took of my 15 year old and HIS sophomore year (On my regular blog, not my photo blog, I just quickly posted it, after editing out a zit or two, for my Mom)
Your pictures are gorgeous. I have recently upgraded my camera to keep up with my new blogging passion. Now I have to learn the software programs that will help me make the most of my camera! Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Sheri, my son saw the pics on Facebook today (because one of my jobs in life is providing my kids fresh profile pictures) and he thanked me for the edits. He didn’t even know about this post, he just appreciated me touching up his skin in the photos.
Jessica, enjoy the new camera! I hope I can help. 🙂
“Does anyone cry “Photoshopped!” over B&Ws? Show me someone whose reality is desaturated.” — that is the most brilliant comment I’ve heard all week!
Yup, I definitely edit guys different than girls. Zits are always worth zapping. Scars and other tough guy things are worth keeping! The more manly, the better!
I’m with you… zits should be edited out!
I agree with you! The picture you edited is probably how he sees himself anyhow! And you are so right! You did a marvelous job! I’m hoping for Photoshop for Christmas! I hope Santa pays attention!
BTW – Are you offering a September Calendar! I am a big fan of your calendars! I’d love for you to do a “how to” – so I could make one with my picts for my mom!
I love stopping by! Your pictures are always so inspiring!
I wish we had had this kind of technology when I was younger and going through the vast hormonal changes of my teenage years…
I do LOTS of photoshoping/lightrooming. I had a photographer tell me once that the goal is to NOT have to use photo editing programs. But I think it’s wonderful to be able to take a picture that you feel didn’t turn out the best, and turn it into a beautiful shot!
I always PS men’s skin differently, too. I think pores and 5 o’clock shadows can increase the manliness/stud factor. And of course, we ladies must always looks like (skinny) delicate flowers. : )
GREAT post!
I like that you don’t edit scars. I agree, that’s part of you. I have a scar on my forehead, and I’m often torn whether to soften it a bit or not. I’m still trying to master photoshop, but when I’m in a hurry the iphoto retouch does fine for low quality pics.