Damien Symonds

Yeah, there's no need to have both, I don't think.

Yep. That's exactly the kind of stupid shit actions do. You don't need to duplicate the Background layer for that. Just add an adjustment layer (eg Levels or whatever, it doesn't matter) and change it to Screen mode. It does the same thing, with MUCH smaller file size.

For what purpose, exactly? I mean, what are the actions designed to do?

Ok, that's good. And your stupid actions? Are they adding extra pixel layers?

First of all, the size of the raw file never correlates to the size of the Photoshop file. If a flattened image is about 79MB, then we know that 79MB is the true size of each pixel layer in your file. And if your stupid actions add more pixel layers, they're adding another 79MB each time. Adjustment layers and masks add less size, but it still adds up. 511MB is very normal. Just to check, are you working in 8-bit?

Yeah, I don't know how to smooth that with Photoshop, sorry. I think Portraiture has a free trial period, so you can try it out. https://imagenomic.com/Products/Portraiture

https://www.damiensymonds.net/2013/09/grabbing-700x700px-100-crop.html

Yes, that's right. May I see a 100% crop of the skin?

The most regularly-suggested option is the Portraiture program. Have you ever tried it?

I'm so sorry, I don't have an easy way for this. It would have to be insanely painstaking cloning.

Hi @cathm, what else have you been working on lately?

Please read Modules 4 and 11 of the Raw Class again.

Hi @alyssamattphotography, you'll use the "Macs and Laptops" instruction set.

Hi @BrittanyCollins42, what kind of subject matter do you shoot mostly?

Hi @OrlaO, Brian will be along to give you some specific advice before too long. In the meantime, here's a thread I found: https://ask.damiensymonds.net/topic/23973-best-recovery-software-2019/

Have you successfully calibrated this screen with this calibrator in the past? I mean, is this a new problem?

And you're following my exact instructions here?

Where did you go, @fstoplife?

This can't be right. Can you check your hard drive capacity again? (The one inside your computer, I mean.)

Hi @Marcela Serna, while we're waiting for Brian, could you do this for us?

Which calibrator?

Yes, I'd say it might be possible.

DON'T RESIZE AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Send them the whole files. Period.

Are you still there, @photopro?

I'm happy to play with this one too. Can you link me to a suitable example photo (with a white or near-white background)?