Category: editorial

beauty retouching, editorial, fashion, final year, Karina Lex, photography, photoshop, workshop

Retouching workshop with Karina Lax

marlenasierota

Karina Lax joined us again, this time she shared her beauty retouching tips. Lax gave us a few of her images to edit and each of us had a go with skin, beauty, hear, clothes and background retouching. We used numerous tools for example Healing Brush or Clone Stamp. Additionally, Lax explained how to use High and Low Frequency, how Liquify Filter works and how to make teeth whiter. I knew most of it, but never used Liquify tool before. I am glad that I took part in this workshop, as I learned a lot and maybe one day, I’ll use the new skills. Though, to be honest I am rubbish with retouching and don’t enjoy it at all. I am specialising in portraiture and documentary style and thanks god this style doesn’t require much Photoshop. The other reason I don’t do much fashion or beauty, as I don’t like to change people’s appearance. I feel as each person have something special what makes them who they are. Each additional scar, wrinkle or extra pound tells their life story; so I don’t see the point to make them appear slimmer, prettier, taller etc.

I understand that we live in 21st century and both fashion and beauty require all this change to sell their product; but playing with Liquify tool makes me think even more about how horrible world we live in. Many people and kids are still looking in beauty or fashion magazines, Instagram, TV and other digital medias and thinking that this is the true appearance of each model/actress etc. Worrying that they will never look as good, but its all one big lie! A lot of make up and Photoshop! Lets not forget about the high expectation imposed especially for woman, but also becoming visible for men. Life is brutal and I always explain my daughter, that the way we look isn’t important. The most significant is if we are happy, healthy and doing all we can to fallow our dreams.

What’s so special about Lax is her honestly, as I mention in the blog before. When someone asked her how long it takes her to edit the image, she replays it depends how much the client pays for it. We all burst in laugh, but she explained that is different if she is editing picture for Instagram account, fashion or beauty magazines. I like this person even more and looking forward to having portfolio review with Lax in a few weeks.

Have a look at some edits. The last one just proves how easy is to change somebody’s appearance in the Photoshop. I made model’s lips and eyes bigger but it clearly doesn’t suit her.

All images taken by Karina Lax, edited by me.

  • the original Karina Lax’s image

Check Karina Lax website: http://www.karinalax.com/

    artist talk, editorial, fashion, final year, Karina Lex, major project, photography, Uncategorized, uni work, university

    Last term at Uni

    marlenasierota

    In the first week of our second semester, our tutors delivered briefs for our two remaining modules. Professional Practise and Major Project. In the first semester we had Research and Development, the Critical Research Summary was submitted, and now this module is over. I got 68% for it and pretty good feedback, not too bad for a first submission.

    One part of professional Practise is done – the dissertation. The title of my dissertation was Theoretical concept and the argument that there is not absolute truth in documentary photography. I analysed the theories of some photography critics and examined case studies of documentary photographers which portrayed people as their subject matter. I am glad that the dissertation is over now. Other two parts of this module are blog, website and the final presentation. Another module is Major Project which is our portfolio or photo-books and the final exhibition.

    We have 11 weeks left before Easter break, then the submissions on the 10th of May and hopefully in July I will have a degree in Photography. I am so exciting! Especially, that after the graduation I am off backpacking to South America, I can’t wait! But before this I need to crack on with Uni work. Wish me luck!

    Last Friday I had a pleasure to attend a Karina Lex’s talk. A brilliant artist who shared with us her story of becoming a photographer and her 12 years’ experience as a freelance photographer. She is a commercial and commissions-based photographer however, she also creates art work, raising money for charities and is interested in fashion, editorial and psychology.

    Her advice was to keep going and say yes to opportunities. To approach customers by email, to list all our skills (technical, customer service, physical work, experience with equipment we are familiar with etc) and to write how it could benefit the company we’re applying for. She also told us how important is to always build a relationship with the subject. When asked if she would choose the photographic work opportunity, or a full-time job and doing photography work on a side, she recommended to always look for photographic opportunities, as after full time at work we won’t have time to do anything else. I must agree.

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    Lex presented for us her physical portfolio and I must say it looks incredible. A3 size, black leather cover, each photograph appears glossy and creates some kind of the story. It is a bit crazy to say that fashion photography creates a story, but Lex sequenced her images with similar colours and warmness what forms a harmony when looking through it. I love the design which she ordered from Plastic Sandwich (plasticsanwich.co.uk). I will consider this company when I completed university and will search for work.

    The best thing about Karina Lex’s talk was that she was very honest with us when talked about her work, experience, portfolio etc.