Damien Symonds

http://www.damiensymonds.net/2014/03/how-aggressively-can-i-crop.html

Try this ... a Channel Mixer layer with "Monochrome" checked, with these values: 0/+50/0. Then change the blend mode to Soft Light. Then mask to the stomach.

Can you update your profile information? This is really weird. Is it exactly in the middle? I mean, exactly the same width border around each edge?

Like this?

I wasn't aware that applied to raw files?

Were you following these instructions exactly?

I don't understand. What did you need to do with this area?

It's got this little thing for calibration, right? http://www.eizoglobal.com/products/coloredge/cg247/CG247_built-in-sensor.jpg

There is no secret or trick to this. You simply use this method, a lot of patience, and a tiny tiny brush. You literally have to cut one hair at a time.

No, a desktop screen you can plug into it.

Oh gee Ephee, you might have a much bigger problem here. Please do this immediately.

Hi gc, could you please go to your profile page and fix your email address? Thanks. This is happening because you have your Photoshop Color Settings ALL wrong. http://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/02/please-ignore-your-monitor-profile.html They need to be set to "North America General Purpose 2". http://www.damiensymonds.net/art_tscs000.html

Oh, tricky one. May I see the SOOR?

No, sorry. You'll need to use 2012 with it.

Something like this?

Your profile says you have a D800. Surely that's a 2:3 frame camera? Just to clarify, do you want to take away hair, or add more in?

No, there isn't one. This isn't a site for CC, sorry. This is really really REALLY bad. You must never use the Eraser tool. Only use masks.

Generally this means your tool isn't on "Normal" mode in the Options Bar.

No, that's complete bollocks. You can very much ignore that advice. Basically, don't sharpen at all in raw. If you do add some sharpening, make sure it's such a small amount that it doesn't risk adding back the noise you just removed. Sharpening only happens during output - for print or web, at the very end of the workflow.

I really think it helps. Good stuff.

No, no different settings at all. In fact, I'd even strongly recommend taking in your pro lab prints, for verification.

Thanks. And tell me about this blue-to-white gradient you're envisioning. Where would the blue and white be?

No, because sharpening can only happen after flattening.

Then I really will need to see the whole photo, not cropped. Background replacement would have to be done before hair trimming, I think.

You can do it in LR if you like, but only if you're happy to settle for mediocre quality. If you want genuine quality for your prints or web files, the sharpening step must be done in Photoshop.