skin imperfections

[Valentina]

Dear Damien, what would you suggest in order to make her right arm better looking? 

Also, the flags have extreme blacks and highlights. I think it is acceptable since their contribute is graphic and I don't mind to loose details but.. does it make it less 'professional'?

FYI I am from a uncalibrated monitor but I have a term to meet and cannot wait to be back from the holidays to edit this. Hope colors are acceptable.

Thanks a lot!

[Damien Symonds]

I'm curious why you've singled out her right arm in particular?  Both arms look roughly the same to me.

Her left arm (our right) has a nasty dark patch on the outside.

May I see the SOOR?

[Valentina]

Do you mean the flag's shadow? Her left arm looks acceptable to me, but I am happy to make it better, if needed.

My main concern was the slight cellulite which is more visible on her right arm. She has flags' shadows on her face and left arm but they don't bother me.

 

[Damien Symonds]

NEVER crop!!!!!!

Ok, show me a close view of the cellulite.

[Valentina]

Hello again, it's early morning, here in Italy.

I only cropped before saving in JPG for the upload here. Psd is uncropped.

Close view below. Thank you!

[Valentina]

My efforts led to this.

A bit of dust and scratches, liquify and paint.
(I also filled more light and saturated the sky)

[Damien Symonds]

Hmmm ... have you made it a bit too smooth?

[Valentina]

how is it now?

[Damien Symonds]

May I see it at 100%?  http://www.damiensymonds.net/2013/09/grabbing-700x700px-100-crop.html

[Valentina]

[Damien Symonds]

Yeah, that's much too smooth, isn't it.  You can't get away with that.

May I see a 100% crop of the unedited one?

[Valentina]

[Damien Symonds]

I see no reason to do any pixel editing.  Just use the Handyman Method.

[Valentina]

[Damien Symonds]

Yeah, that's more like it!  Well done.

I think you have a little further to go, though.  Always remember to periodically zoom out and look at it smaller, it will give you renewed perspective.

[Valentina]

Many thanks for the help!

I am leaving the laptop soon. Handyman method looks great, even if I did in a a rush. I will do the edit from scratch when I am back, during your nighttime. 

Any other suggestions for the edit? Does it look good overall (saturated flags and sky included)?

[Damien Symonds]

I think it looks great!  So much colour!

[Valentina]

Fantastic! Thank you