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rhodeislandman
July 27th, 2008, 03:48 PM
Hello

I like to selectively blur certain parts of my photos as a way of softening skin.
Usually I create a separate layer which I then blur, then I add a layer mask which I downloaded and added to elements, I fill it with black and then where ever I paint in white, the blurred image shows through..thus softening the skin..
Problem is this. its very difficult to paint certain areas, like the skin showing between numerous strands and locks of hair on the forehead or skin showing between small links on a necklace. I want just the skin softened ( blurred) and not the hair or necklace.

I was trying something using the high pass filter and then threshhold to perhaps create some kind of mask or selection tool that could block the blurring effect in those areas. Any ideas on this?

ljameso1
July 27th, 2008, 10:30 PM
Maybe use magic wand set to noncontiguous to select the skin so that the selection keeps you from painting outside the lines?

Diana
July 27th, 2008, 11:14 PM
My favorite technique for smoothing skin is Butch's instructions from this thread (post #6). I use it so often, I even have it typed on a recipe card so I have quick access to it.
http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8981

Diana

TonyW
July 28th, 2008, 12:24 AM
You also might want to take a look at using Smart Blur instead of gaussian blur. That is smart enough to leave the edges alone and just blur in between. Might at least help the masking by leaving the hair etc unblurred.

Tony