Nice looking couple

[Marydh]

Hi everyone,
Please take a look.  I had a hard time going from too much healing and not enough.  Also, any tips on the man would be appreciated.  I wanted to make him look his age.  It seems as if he just looks stoic.
The blue channel was a big help.  Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Mary

[Bambi]

This is a tough one. He looks a little flat. Did you get the reference picture I put in your gallery?

[Marydh]

Yes, I got  the picture but I couldn't figure out how to use it.  I really don't know what else to do.  I will take any suggestions. 

[Candice]

Red seems to be a nemesis in a lot of the pictures. So hard to work with.  I think you did a great job bringing them out of the goop, which is pretty amazing, Mary!!

I did have a go at it. I first used a inverted mask on the man's face and made level adjustments.  Took a bit of the red out of the eyes and teeth. Then finished up with a bit of hand painting to bring the man's complexion out a bit more. I use a history brush set to overlay to bring out a little more detai and to give him a less washed out look. What a challenge.

[coopmj]

Wow, Mary and Candice you both did amazing work on this one!

[Marydh]

Thanks Candice.  I'll give that a whirl.
(Thanks coopmj)

[Shadow]

Wonderful clean up Mary! Look forward to your final!

[rsvadnie]

This looks so fantastic! Awesome work!

[Hannie]

Unfortunately at the moment I cannot give you an example of my suggestion for your WIP, I can only try to tell you.
Perhaps you can make a copy of the blue channel of the original photo and and paste that over your WIP.  It'll give your great detail on the shape of the man's face and the lady's neck.  It also shows the shading and lines ins the skin (also a little shading in the outer corner of the man's eyes.

I sometimes used to work on the a separate copy of the blue channel, toning, repairing, healing etc. and use it with a layer mask over my WIP.

[Marydh]

Thanks everyone.  Hannie, I did try that with the blue channel but not to that extent.   I just saw your post  as I was getting ready to post my latest version.  See what you think.

[Shadow]

It's getting there Mary. You are so brave!

[Marydh]

Going to try again with Hannie's suggestions.

[Marydh]

Well, here we go again.  I think he might be a bit pink but when I change it he looks too pale.
Watcha think.

[Shadow]

[Marydh]

Lol!!