As described in my previous article here, the first step is selecting the Profile in the Camera Calibration tab of the Develop module. For this task I've chosen PSKiss Cool BrightUp to overcome the orange color of the light:

Then, changed the White Balance to Auto. Note that Lightroom sets the White Balance according to the image as it was rendered by the profile. In preparation for the next steps, I reduced the Blacks, added some Fill Light and increased Vibrance and Saturation:

Cool BrightUp DNG profile is included in PSKiss Skin & Scenery Color profile pack

 Now, the file is ready to be sent to Photoshop:

Step #2 - Retouch the portrait in Photoshop

Retouching skin can be a time consuming task… To make a long story short, I used PSKiss Pixel Gear Pro - Skin Gear. To remove some skin defects that were not removed by the filter, I used the good old Healing Brush Tool.

Now I wanted to give this portrait a different "look". Creating a unique look can also be a time consuming task… To make my life easier, I used PSKiss Portrait photography Toolkit. Instead of working my heart out, I got the look in just a few clicks, using the "Look Factory":

Step #3 - Sharpen the Portrait

For the final touch I decided to sharpen the portrait. This isn't a "must" step for every portrait, but because this one started as a Raw file and didn't get any sharpness applied to, I used Face Sharp (also a part of the Portrait Photography Toolkit and the Photographer's ToolBox). This script allowed me to sharpen only the areas that needs to be sharpened in a portrait without damaging skin tones.

Closing Words

This session was done according to my taste and followed my personal decisions for this particular photo. You may like it or totally resent it...

Can everything I did above be done in Lightroom and Photoshop standard tools and features? Well, almost everything (except the DNG profile which creates a unique color scheme and Skin Gear Pro that uses an algorithm which doesn't exist in Photoshop), but many users simply don't know how or don't want to work too hard and too long… Look how short is the Layers panel:

Since retouching portraits and processing them is a day to day work for many photographers, professionals as well as amateurs, we think it's easier and much more efficient to use task oriented tools, that gets you were you want to go much quicker. In a way it's like using a GPS system. You let it guide you, without having to know the exact path to destinations. In places you know, you can always improve its route… You can do the same when working with Lightroom and Photoshop. In places you are familiar with, improve the results or alter them so they fit better to your needs and demands.

© Tal Ninio

Tal Ninio is the co-founder and CEO of PSKiss.com

Tal started working as a pre-press technician in 1988, by 1990 opened my own pre-press lab, in 1993 converted to DTP specializing in image editing and digital pre-press, it all began with Photoshop 2.5, QuarkXPress 2.0 and FreeHand 3 all on a Macintosh Quadra 800 (With E-Machines graphic accelerator. A mean machine!), in 1994 implemented a Scitex Dolev system at a service bureau, in 1995 wrote his first Photoshop book and started teaching, in 1997 published the first technical book in Israel that was fully digitally produced, in 1999 co-founded Mentor College and stayed there until 2010, in 2002 launched the first professional convention and expo which became the largest event of the visual arts industry in the country. A photoshop Certified Expert. 16 years of experience teaching in training centers, businesses, institutes, advertising agencies and art academies. Author of 10 Photoshop visual guide books (versions 3 to CS4). Author of  Photoshop CookBook 1 & Photoshop CookBook 2.

View Tal's personal blog at http://talninio.blogspot.com/