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Use the Soften Skin brush preset for retouching work

Portrait retouching is a tricky topic, as it is so easy to mess up through over-lightening or over-smoothing the skin. Even if you think you’ve done a good job, people’s opinions of your work will always be subjective. The overuse of Photoshop retouching, which the press anachronistically refers to as ‘airbrushing’, remains a hot topic, especially with regard to how women are portrayed in fashion magazines. Photographers and retouchers do have a responsibility as well as an opportunity to influence how people are portrayed. Among the retouchers I know, I see a trend towards less manipulation, or at least, less obvious retouching, and ensuring their portrait subjects