Advanced Texture Cleanup | Frequency Separation 2.0

Introduction (2:05)

Welcome to Advanced Texture Cleanup with high end retoucher, Earth Oliver. In this training series, the goal will be to remove any and all negative association around Frequency Separation. This is Frequency Separation 2.0. Learn to retouch skin, cloth, hard surface objects - virtually any element within your images, with ease. Remove the pain and restore the fun of retouching into your workflow. Learn a step by step process that will provide you with consistent, reliable, and high quality results every, single, time. If you want to be an advanced retouching artist, you have to do the work. Move through this course and you will achieve new experience and knowledge to approach any project with confidence.

Gaussian Based Separation (13:27)

Follow high end retoucher, Earth Oliver, as he defines and dissects the traditional methods and workflow for Frequency Separation. Understand the pitfalls and image degradation that can occur when using the traditional retouching method and why it is happening. Begin to develop an alternate process for approaching beauty and skin retouching, evaluating fresh methods in the workflow. Examine the Gaussian technique from the traditional model against the significant advantages of a median based workflow. Using Photoshop, examine Frequency Separation - layer by layer.

Median Based Separation (16:45)

Leverage the power of Photoshop's Median filter with a combination of smart objects and filters, to eliminate unwanted edge blurring and haloes. Learn to create an advanced retouch toolkit that responds well to Photoshop's tool set. Learn to evaluate a median based workflow, applying the right amount of filtering for optimal results for the retouching process across the low and high frequency separation of your image.

Gaussian vs Median (8:47)

Using a portrait image with skin as the primary target, compare the Gaussian vs. Median based methods of Frequency Separation. Examine gradients across skin, edges, hair fly-aways, and eyelashes. Examine through practical steps the degradation and digital artifacts that result from Gaussian Filtering. See how the traditional method doubles the amount of retouching time and hear why high end retoucher, Earth Oliver, ultimately converted his process to a new workflow.

Skin: High Median Workflow (12:28)

Listen as high end retoucher, Earth Oliver, continues to retouch a skin texture, comparing gaussian vs. median based separation. Evaluate cloning vs. healing on the high frequency layer. Learn to retouch an image without leaving tracks and begin to develop a skill set for industry leading results. Utilize a Solarization curve to see the subtleties of every detail within the skin texture.

Skin: The Mixer Brush (7:39)

With a firm process established using median based separation, incorporate Photoshop's dynamic and fluid native tool - the mixer brush. Examine the updated smoothing engine, brush settings, sizes and find the perfect balance of flow, mix, load, and wetness when painting for skin. Paint various strokes to dial in settings and learn to be more comfortable using the Photoshop mixer brush.

Skin: Low Median Workflow (16:38)

Push further into a median based workflow by tackling troublesome and distracting lighting and shadows in skin texture. With a mixer brush workflow, learn to paint and reshape light on the low median layer frequency separation. Manipulate color, change tone, create even skin texture, and have fun with minimal moves to retouch your imagery.

Fabrics: High Median Workflow (13:47)

Transition from skin to fabric work. Apply a median based workflow to any subject's apparel, gaining complete control over fabric blemishes and wrinkles. Walk through an image markup with high end retoucher Earth Oliver to establish the primary problem areas when retouching athletic apparel. With a plan in place, apply the median based workflow. Focus on how to retain high level detail, while cleaning distractions on the low frequency layer.

Fabrics: Low Median Workflow (5:08)

Watch as high end retoucher, Earth Oliver, quickly and efficiently paints away major apparel distractions, leveraging the power of a median based workflow. Where typical Photoshop processes dodge and burn and clone stamp could not correct wrinkles and blemish in fabric, see the power of Frequency Separation 2.0 paint them away with minimal effort. Control the shape of light and shadow, reconstructing apparel with industry leading retouching results.

Recreating Surfaces - Tablet (23:43)

Take the firm foundation and workflow of Frequency Separation 2.0 and apply it in an entirely different context. Learn the power and flexibility of a median based workflow as we tackle retouching a hard surface, highly reflective tablet. Paint away dust, smudging, and distracting reflections on the tablet device. Recreate table top surfaces with ease.

Coffee Maker: High Median Workflow (18:03)

See the dynamic strength and flexibility of Frequency Separation 2.0, as you tackle a new image - an espresso maker. Using one technique, tackle multiple problems across multiple surfaces with minimal struggle in the retouching process. Follow high end retoucher, Earth Oliver, as he uses the power of a median based workflow, to eliminate distracting reflections, dust, and color contamination. Create integrated, high end results, using a methodical, intelligent approach to retouching in Photoshop.

Coffee Maker: Low Median Workflow (18:06)

Using the power of Photoshop's native tool, the mixer brush, apply a low median based workflow to retouch the espresso maker image. Move across various targets in the image to reshape light, shadow, and color, with no artifacts or degradation in quality. Learn how to dial brush, flow, and overall painting mix to create stunning, industry leading results to your images.

Reshaping Light - Smoothie (11:44)

In this exercise, retouching a smoothie cup, learn to reshape light and reflection on a surface that contains a lot of obstacles. Learn to literally separate reflections from plastic, condensation, and smoothie texture without destroying the integrity of the image. Wipe away modifier reflections to see the pinpoint control of a median based workflow using Frequency Separation 2.0.

Smoothie: High/Low Separation (12:30)

Apply the median based workflow to retouch the smoothie cup example image. Use the power of Photoshop's mixer brush to paint away reflections, extracting details with intention. Control light, color, and tone, all while maintaining the quality and integrity of the image data.

Car Retouching: High Median Workflow (12:19)

Having worked with skin, fabric, technology, and product - apply the median based workflow to a powerful image of car by photographer, Easton Chang. Follow high end retoucher, Earth Oliver as he explores and exploits the power of Frequency Separation 2.0, to tackle retouching reflective surfaces of a high performance car.

Car Retouching: Low Median Workflow (14:27)

Using an incredible car image example from photographer, Easton Chang - apply a median based retouching workflow to clean and control texture. Using the flexibility of Frequency Separation 2.0, control color, light, contour, and reflection, painting with ease and intention using Photoshop's mixer brush. Learn to evaluate the separation of high and low frequency information to create incredible texture across any surface.

Architectural Retouching: Interior Surface Cleanup (15:15)

For the final example, retouch an architectural interior example, using your skill and experience gained across multiple and diverse example images. Apply the median based Frequency Separation 2.0 workflow to address complex reflections and a variety of distractions across multiple surfaces within the rooms interior. Create a plan of attack and follow high end retoucher, Earth Oliver, as he applies the proven, adapted and powerfully flexible approach to Frequency Separation in Photoshop.

Architectural Retouching: Advanced Reflection Removal (10:46)

Congratulations! You've completed the course on Advanced Texture Cleanup with high end retoucher, Earth Oliver. In this final section, complete the architectural interior retouching using a median based workflow and use your skills to create a highly polished, stand out image. With examples across skin, fabric, product, car, and an architectural interior, we hope you are as excited as we are about the dynamic and flexible power in using Frequency Separation 2.0. But don't let the learning stop! We want to see your work. Please share your progress, questions and growing portfolio with our community.