Photoshop Elements > Retouching >

1 - Smooth Skin

You can use the Gaussian Blur filter, and the Eraser tool, and some shenanigans with blending modes and opacity, to produce smooth skin.

Also, have a look at Smooth Skin: Yet Another Method and Smooth Skin, Quickly.

Be sure to check off as you go along.

Preparation

1) Preserve your original file.

If you haven't already done so, go to Preserve Your Original File.

2) Create a Background copy layer.

If you haven't already done so, go to Create a Background Copy Layer.

3) Be sure to use the Zoom tool to enlarge the areas to be erased.

Copy the Background Copy Layer

4) Make sure the Background copy layer is active (highlighted).

5) Create another copy of the Background copy layer.

Right click on the Background copy layer, and select Duplicate Layer.

Or, drag the layer onto the Create a new layer icon.

Or, press Ctrl + j.

6) Rename this layer as Darken / 40% Opacity.

Gaussian Blur

7) Make sure the Darken / 40% Opacity layer is active (highlighted).

8) Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.

Set the Radius to a value far higher than you would normally.

Here, the Radius was set to 10.

Copy the Darken / 40% Opacity Layer

9) Make sure the Darken / 40% Opacity layer is active (highlighted).

10) Create another copy of the Darken / 40% Opacity layer.

Right click on the Darken / 40% Opacity layer, and select Duplicate Layer.

Or, drag the layer onto the Create a new layer icon.

Or, press Ctrl + j.

11) Rename this layer as Lighten / 30% Opacity.

Change the Blending Modes & Opacities

12) Change the blending modes for the new layers, and their opacities, as follows.

At the top of the layers stack, look for the unlabeled Blending Mode box.

It's to the left of the Opacity box.

The Blending Mode box probably has Normal inside.

Layer	Position	Blending Mode	Opacity
Lighten / 30% Opacity	Top	Lighten	30%
Darken / 40% Opacity	Middle	Darken	40%
Background	Bottom	–	–

Merge the Two New Layers

13) Merge the Darken / 40% Opacity layer and the Lighten / 30% Opacity layer.

Do the following.

a) Press Ctrl, hold, and click the two layers.

b) Press Ctrl + e.

c) Rename the new layer as Erase.

For more realism, erase the smooth skin effect from the eyes, nose (maybe), and mouth.

Erase Portions of the Erase Layer

Where you erase the Erase layer, the in-focus Background layer will become visible.

1) Make sure the Erase layer is active (highlighted).

2) Select the Eraser tool.

Use a feathered brush.

If you haven't already done so, go to Feathered Brush.

3) Click, hold, and drag the brush over each eye, avoiding any bags and wrinkles.

4) Evaluate the erasures.

Press Alt, hold, and click the eye icon of Erase layer.

This will hide the other layers, allowing you to see more clearly what has been erased.

The erased areas are transparent (checkerboard pattern.

To unhide the layers, repeat the above action.

That is, press Alt, hold, and click the eye icon of Erase layer.

4) Erase the other parts of the Erase layer that need to be in focus, such as the eyebrows, tip of the nose, mouth, and any jewelry.

Restore Skin Texture

To make the skin more realistic, if needed or desired, go to Restore Skin Texture.

Many people will prefer the ultra smooth version, however.

Original

Retouched

Painting with a Smooth Skin Brush

In the above sections, the entire photograph was smoothed.

This works well in the example because the background of the photograph is out-of-focus.

However, what if you have a photograph with a sharp background?

You could erase the smoothing on such a background with the Eraser tool.

Or, you can use the Brush tool to paint the smoothing effect just where it is wanted.

Do the above tutorial through where you merge the two layers, and rename the new layer Erase.

Then, proceed as follows.

1) Click the Background layer.

2) Create a Levels adjustment layer.

The Levels window will open.

Click OK (Pre-8.0 only).

The Levels adjustment layer will be between the Erase layer and the Background layer.

You're going to use the Levels adjustment layer only for its mask, not to adjust the exposure or contrast.

You must use an adjustment layer here, not a blank layer in a layer group with a clipping mask.

That's because the Erase layer has transparency.

For more about complex grouping, go to Layer Groups & Clipping Masks.

3) Group the Erase layer, on top, with the Levels adjustment layer, which is in the middle.

If you haven't already done so, go to How to Group.

5) Fill the mask in the Levels adjustment layer with black.

a) Make sure the Levels adjustment layer is active (highlighted).

b) Make sure the foreground color is black.

If you haven't already, go to Foreground & Background Colors.

c) Press Alt + Backspace (or Delete).

The white mask in the layer is now black.

6) Paint where you want the smooth skin effect.

Make sure the foreground color is white.

If you haven't already, go to Foreground & Background Colors.

Select the Brush tool.

Select a brush with a feathered edge.

If you haven't already done so, go to Feathered Brush.

Click, hold, and drag the brush where you want the smooth skin effect.

The white areas in the Levels adjustment layer mask thumbnail is the mask you painted.

Saving the Photograph

If you haven't already done so, go to Saving Files.

Explanation

Read on for an explanation of how the skin is smoothed.

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