3.6 Pro Airbrush Effect

Ever wonder how magazines and celebrity photos get that perfect airbrushed look? If you dont know what I’m talking about, try googling celebrity before / after airbrush photos. You will find some examples to show you how drastic changes can be!

So now you want to airbrush your photos, you’ve seen different methods but none are that great?

Here is my easy guide to airbrushing.

Open your photo in photoshop, duplicate the background layer. Select filter -> Surface blur and set it between 8-20. Give it some time, the filter will show up eventually and show you how drastic the blur will be.   Happy with your selection? ok hit Ok and wait for your computer to render this blur.
Finally done rendering? great, now you have a choice: 1) too fake? add some “noise” retain the “film” nature of your photo by using the Filter – > Noise     .50 – 3%     this will add noise to the new surface blur layer you created. This adds a bit of detail and texture, which would otherwise have gone out the window with our blur.
Now hold ALT and click the layer mask. using a white paint brush with an opacity of 40%   paint in the areas of your skin you want to be airbrushed.

Use the contrast and sharpening techniques detailed earlier on areas such as eyes, lips, teeth, jewlry, and hair.